El Carmen
500 m from Plaza de la VirgenThe oldest part of the old town, with narrow streets, street art and many small bars. Close to everything, but noisy at night.
- Population
- ≈ 840,000
- Language
- Spanish
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Time zone
- UTC+1
- Best time
- Mar – May, Sep – Nov
- Nearest airport
- VLC, 9 km
Start in the square: Plaza de la Virgen
Plaça de la Mare de Déu, 46001 Valencia
Plaza de la Virgen stands on the site of the Roman forum. The back of the cathedral and the small basilica of the city's patron frame it, around a fountain for the Turia river. On Thursdays at noon, the old Water Tribunal still meets at the cathedral door.
Within a short walk
- Valencia CathedralPlaça de la Mare de Déu, 46003 Valencia100 m
- Basilica of Our Lady of the ForsakenPlaça de la Mare de Déu, 46003 Valencia0 m
- Lonja de la SedaCarrer de la Llotja 2, 46001 Valencia300 m
- Central MarketPlaza del Mercado, 5. Valencia, 46001 Valencia400 m
- Torres de SerranosCarrer del Comte de Trénor, 46003 Valencia300 m
- Turia GardenTuria Garden, 46009 Valencia1 km
- Museum of Fine ArtsC, 46010 Valencia500 m
Where to stay in Valencia
Ruzafa
1.6 km from Plaza de la VirgenSouth of the main station, a lively area of cafés, vintage shops and new restaurants around a local market. Popular for eating out.
El Pla del Remei
1 km from Plaza de la VirgenElegant 19th-century streets with designer shops and the Colón market, between the old town and the river park. Quiet and upmarket.
Cabanyal
3.7 km from Plaza de la VirgenThe old fishermen's quarter by the sea, with low houses in coloured tiles and tapas bars. Right next to the beach.
Benimaclet
1.5 km from Plaza de la VirgenA former village north of the centre, now a student area with small squares and cheap bars. Linked to the centre by metro and tram.
Things to do in Valencia
City of Arts and Sciences
Ав. Професор Лопез Пињеро, 7, 46013 Valencia
White futuristic buildings in the old riverbed, with a science museum, a large aquarium and an opera house. Walk or cycle there through the park.
Valencia Cathedral
Plaça de la Mare de Déu, 46003 Valencia
A cathedral in several styles, from Romanesque to baroque. A side chapel keeps a cup said to be the Holy Grail; climb the Micalet bell tower for views.
Basilica of Our Lady of the Forsaken
Plaça de la Mare de Déu, 46003 Valencia
A small oval baroque church for the city's patron, the Virgin of the Forsaken. During the Fallas, a giant figure of her is dressed in flowers outside.
Lonja de la Seda
Carrer de la Llotja 2, 46001 Valencia
The old Gothic silk exchange, with twisted columns that rise like palm trees to the ceiling. Across the street from the Central Market.
Central Market
Plaza del Mercado, 5. Valencia, 46001 Valencia
A large Art Nouveau market hall under a glass dome, with fish, ham, fruit and spices. Come in the morning; it is closed on Sundays.
Torres de Serranos
Carrer del Comte de Trénor, 46003 Valencia
A 14th-century gate in the old city walls, facing the river park. Climb to the top for a view over the old town and the gardens.
Turia Garden
Turia Garden, 46009 Valencia
A long green park in the old riverbed, created after the river was moved following a flood. Ideal for cycling, running and playgrounds.
Museum of Fine Arts
C, 46010 Valencia
Free entry to Spanish painting from the Middle Ages to Sorolla, including works by Goya and Velázquez. On the far side of the river park.
Malvarrosa Beach
Passeig Marítim, 46011 Valencia
A wide sandy city beach with a long promenade and paella restaurants. About twenty minutes from the centre by tram or bus.
Getting there
Valencia Airport (VLC)
46940 Manises
9 km from the city centre
Estació del Nord
Calle Xativa, 2, 46007 Valencia
Main railway station, 1.1 km from Plaza de la Virgen
When to go
Average daytime high and night-time low per month (2005–2024). Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
- 14°Jan
- 15°Feb
- 18°Mar
- 21°Apr
- 25°May
- 30°Jun
- 34°Jul
- 33°Aug
- 28°Sep
- 24°Oct
- 18°Nov
- 15°Dec
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 14 | 15 | 18 | 21 | 25 | 30 | 34 | 33 | 28 | 24 | 18 | 15 |
| Low °C | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 17 | 14 | 8 | 5 |
| Rain mm | 32 | 23 | 46 | 41 | 34 | 25 | 10 | 19 | 55 | 46 | 50 | 28 |
| Rain days | 4 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 |
| Daylight h | 9.7 | 10.6 | 11.8 | 13.2 | 14.3 | 14.9 | 14.7 | 13.7 | 12.4 | 11.1 | 10 | 9.4 |
The year in Valencia
The biggest events that come back every year, starting with the next one.
Early DecemberSport
Valencia Marathon
One of the fastest marathons in the world, on a flat course that finishes on a walkway over the water at the City of Arts and Sciences.
15 to 19 MarchFestival
Falles
Huge satirical figures fill the streets and are burned on the last night. Every afternoon, loud firecrackers go off in the town hall square.
The second Monday after EasterHoliday
Festival of Saint Vincent Ferrer
Children perform short plays about the saint's miracles on decorated street stages around the old town, in Valencian.
Late JuneFilm
Cinema Jove International Film Festival
A week of films by young directors from around the world, with outdoor screenings and short film programmes.
JulyFestival
Gran Fira de València
A month of concerts, fireworks and parades, ending with the Battle of Flowers, when decorated floats and the crowd throw carnations at each other.
Practical information
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- 1 EUR = 1.11 USD = 0.84 GBP (ECB, 29 October 2026)
- Language
- Spanish
- Plugs
- Type C and F, 230 V
- Emergency number
- 112, 061, 091
- Time zone
- UTC+1 (summer UTC+2)
- Country calling code
- +34
- Traffic drives on the
- Right
Public holidays in the next 12 months
Shops and museums may close or keep Sunday hours on these days.
- All Saints Day (Día de todos los Santos)1 Nov 2026
- Constitution Day (Día de la Constitución)6 Dec 2026
- Immaculate Conception (Inmaculada Concepción)8 Dec 2026
- Christmas Day (Navidad)25 Dec 2026
- New Year's Day (Año Nuevo)1 Jan 2027
- Epiphany (Día de Reyes / Epifanía del Señor)6 Jan 2027
- Good Friday (Viernes Santo)26 Mar 2027
- Easter Monday (Lunes de Pascua)29 Mar 2027
- Labour Day (Fiesta del trabajo)1 May 2027
- St. John's Day (Sant Joan)24 Jun 2027
- Assumption (Asunción)15 Aug 2027
- Day of the Valencian Community (Dia de la Comunitat Valenciana)9 Oct 2027
- National Day of Spain (Fiesta Nacional de España)12 Oct 2027
Valencia FAQ
When is the best time to visit Valencia?
Mar – May, Sep – Nov, when the average daytime high is between 18 and 28 °C.
Which airport is closest to Valencia?
Valencia Airport (VLC), about 9 km from the city centre.
What currency is used in Valencia?
The euro (EUR).
What plugs are used in Valencia?
Type C and F, 230 V.
What are the biggest yearly events in Valencia?
Valencia Marathon (Early December), Falles (15 to 19 March), Festival of Saint Vincent Ferrer (The second Monday after Easter), Cinema Jove International Film Festival (Late June), Gran Fira de València (July).
Nearby cities
All guides in Spain →Valencia · 126 kmAlicantePopulation ≈ 350,000
Castille-La Mancha · 138 kmAlbacetePopulation ≈ 170,000
Aragon · 115 kmTeruelPopulation ≈ 36,000
Valencia · 106 kmBenidormPopulation ≈ 70,000
Last updated 29 October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.