Valencia City Holidays

From age-old sights to sandy sweeps, city breaks to Valencia city line up a pick ‘n’ mix selection of holiday must-haves.

City breaks to Valencia city

When it comes to city breaks, Valencia’s checklist has got ticks in all the right places. It’s got a winning combination of sights and seaside – so whether you’re a sight-snapper or a beach-flopper you’ll be on the right track with a city break here. Plus, with 300 days of sunshine per year, it’s more or less t-shirt weather whenever you choose to visit. And when it comes to where to stay, our top tip is to lay your hat close to the Old Town, or make sure you’re linked up with it via the city’s metro stations.

Heaps of history

With more than 2,000 years of history to its name, Valencia is one of Spain’s oldest cities. The city’s Old Town is a bit like a picture book of its past, where buildings blend from one era to the next. And while the city itself is massive in size, its Old Town area is fairly compact – which means it’s super-easy to step to and from the top sights. Highlights in this part of town include the UNESCO-rated silk exchange, the 14th-century Serrano Towers and Seville Cathedral. The latter lays claim to the Holy Grail – you can ogle at it yourself on a trip inside.

A city beach trio

The region of Valencia has made a name for itself in the best beaches in Spain game, and the city follows its lead. The city’s three main spots are conveniently located side by side, a 20-minute drive from the Old Town. Starting south, the first spot is Las Arenas Beach – a wide belt of sand makes this swathe a top choice for sunseekers. Take a wander further along the prom and you’ll reach La Malvarrosa Beach, this place is usually the cover star on Valencia’s postcards. Things here are just as good looking under water as they are above – a manmade reef provides a showcase of sea life for snorkellers and scuba divers. Last up, there’s Patacona Beach, it’s usually the quietest of the bunch and comes with a sprinkle of bars and eateries plotted right on the sand.

At a glance

Get a look at the Holy Grail at Valencia Cathedral
Find your spot of sand on Las Arenas Beach
Watch as live bands put on a show in trendy El Carmen

Top things to See and Do in Valencia City

BEACHES
SHOPPING
NIGHTLIFE
FOOD & DRINK

City beaches

You’ve got a pick of three beaches within easy driving distance from the centre of the city. And, if you fancy a change of sandy scene, you won’t have to carry your inflatables too far – they’re all side by side.
The big beach

La Malvarrosa Beach is the longest and widest of the three city beaches, and a run of seaside bars and restaurants are plotted on a palm-lined pathway beside it. You can set up camp on the sand, or spend your day under the shade of a parasol on a sunlounger.
The secret beach

While the city’s main beaches tend to get busy, there’s another spot around a half an hour drive from the centre that’s well worth a visit for low-key beach days. La Devesa Beach is tucked inside a huge nature park and super-tall sand dunes provide it with a scenic backdrop.

Bargain Buys

The trendy neighbourhood of El Carmen plots plenty of vintage shops on its map. There well worth a look in if you’re on the hunt for stylish clothing at pocket-saving prices.
Mid-Range Buys

Colon Street has major players from the international shopping scene on both of its sides, while the streets that snake off it are home to smaller shops and boutiques.
Designer Buys

If you’re up for splashing the cash, head to Poeta Querol. Both Boss and Louis Vuitton can be found on this super-stylish street.

Laid-back evenings

The bars that stretch along the city’s three beaches are a great choice when it comes to low-key evenings. Head down before sunset to watch the sun slink behind the sea with a cocktail in hand.
Lively evenings

The central neighbourhood of El Carmen heads up the city’s nightlife scene. Narrow streets play host to street-spilling bars, nightclubs and flamenco shows.

Valencia oranges

Valencia has more than 700 acres of land dedicated to growing oranges, and you can even find trees lining the city’s streets. They’re sweeter and juicy than your average orange, and there are plenty of fresh fruit stalls in markets dotted around the city so you can tuck into one and try them out yourself.
Sweet potato cakes

These things are a dead cert on the table come Christmas time in Valencia. Small pastry cases are stuffed with sweet potato, lemon, and aniseed liqueur then sprinkled with cinnamon.
Valencian paella

While every region of Spain has its own take on this traditional dish, Valencia’s version uses chicken and rabbit meat. A touch of French flavour is sometimes added in the shape of snails, too.
Arroz al horno

This dish translates as oven-baked rice, and although it’s lesser-known than the city’s famous paella dish, it’s a firm favourite with locals. This dish is made in the oven, rather than on a stove and made using pork ribs, black pudding, potatoes, chickpeas – and of course, rice.
Cremaet

Made properly, this drink should show off three distinct layers. It’s made by mixing age-old rum, sugar, lemon rind, coffee beans and cinnamon sticks. All the ingredients are heated together, before being poured over an espresso.