Jess Bergin

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Where to Stay in Valencia, Spain

Jessica Bergin

Tangled with a fascinating fusion of modern-meets-medieval, Valencia is veiled with veritably vivid pursuits. Before you jet down to Spain’s east coast, save this guide on Where to Stay in Valencia, Spain.

Although the spotlight is often shone on destinations like Barcelona, Madrid and Seville, Valencia is no short of enlivening experiences.

This character-packed city is steeped deep in history, culture and cuisine. In fact, it’s home to Spain’s notorious paella dish. ¡Que rico!

Pinned with pleasurable pursuits at every end, there’s no shortage of things to do in Valencia.

From the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences to the flower-bedecked streets, this east coast enclave is fringed with a full spectrum of attractions.

Valencia is hemmed in with a huge haul of neighbourhoods, with everything from hipster to historic.

Whether you want to stay among the action or retreat to a seaside haven, there's something unique for every type of traveller. Here’s everything you need to know about Where to Stay in Valencia, Spain.

11 Best Areas to Stay in Valencia, Spain

From ancient, alley-woven Ciutat Vella to candy-coloured Ruzafa, Valencia is woven with a world of variety.

Step inside some of Spain’s most stellar sojourns with these top districts:

Ciutat Vella (Old Town)

El Carmen

Eixample

Ruzafa

Malvarossa

Cabanyal

Quatre Carreres (Ciudad de las Artes)

Extramurs

La Zaidia

Campanar

Beniferri

Ciutat Vella (Old Town)

Housing the historic heart of Valencia, Ciutat Vella hammers home on all things historic.

With a whopping 2,000 years of history, the Spanish metropolis melds modern and old. Highlighted by a handful of immersive experiences, the city centre is the best place to tick off all your bucket list items. Lapped by landmarks like the Cathedral of Valencia, Central Market and La Lonja Silk Exchange, there’s no shortage of things to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Navigate the narrow streets, mosey around the maze of attractions and dabble in the dazzling dining scene. Meander through the Medieval Quarter, learn about the city’s religious history and channel your inner artist in the fine art scene.

Stop for a glass of vermut in the Plaza de la Reina, shop in the hip stores and cosy up in a café to plan your next move.

If you’re wondering where to stay in Valencia, Spain for the first time, Ciutat Vella is the most ideal option.

Harbouring a handful of rental apartments, hostels and budget to luxury hotels, the Old Town offers something for everybody.

Best Places to Stay in Ciutat Vella:

El Carmen

Burrowed in the beating heart of Ciutat Vella’s northwestern corner, El Carmen is carved with a wealth of wonder.

Waltz around the trendy stores, see the stately street art and bask in the bohemian vibes. Cemented with a cocktail of architecture, cuisine, art and history, El Carmen will leave you running on a high.

Walk through the Portal de la Valldigna, stop by the Church of San Nicolás and San Pedro Mártir and step inside the modern Centre del Carme Cultura Contemporània.

For nightlife, shopping and soaking up the social scene, El Carmen is one of the best places to stay in Valencia, Spain.

Best Places to Stay in El Carmen:

Eixample

Saturated with stately architecture, breezy avenues and tree-lined streets, Eixample embodies a unique side to the city.

Compared to the hustle and bustle of the Ciutat Vella (Old Town), this neighbourhood hones in on laid-back living. Eixample offers upscale restaurants and a series of shopping opportunities, topped by its proximity to the City of the Arts and Sciences.

Meander around the modernist pieces, strut down the blossom-scented streets and set up a picnic in the Jardin de Turia. If you’re speculating over where to stay in Valencia, Eixample offers a prime location with a low-key ambience.

Best Places to Stay in Eixample:

Ruzafa

Touted as the city’s trendiest district, Ruzafa resides with a rich tapestry of finds.

Framed with independent boutiques, art-infused buildings and some of Valencia’s most raved-about restaurants, this neighbourhood oozes charm. Melding multicultural living, buzzing beer bars (cervecerías) and the colourful Mercado de Ruzafa, you'll be kept on the edge of your seat.

Bask in the sunshine from a terrace, sample Spanish beers in the bar scene and recover the next morning in the bounty of brunch spots. Particularly popular among locals and younger visitors, Ruzafa is always hip and happening.

Its central location serves as a stellar base if you're interested in exploring the Ciutat Vella. Well-connected with public transport, you can effortlessly reach the beach, the City of Arts and Sciences, and the outer districts. If you’re wondering where to stay in Valencia Spain, but you don’t want to stay in the Old Town, this is the spot for you.

Best Places to Stay in Ruzafa:

Malvarossa

Melded with a lively ambience, Malvarossa mixes sunshine, sand and a swoon-worthy gastronomy scene.

If you’re planning a trip to Valencia, there’s no doubt you’ll be wanting to usher in some time on the Mediterranean.

Plant your feet in the sand at Malvarossa Beach, soak up low-key living and eat yourself into a paella coma on the palm-lined boulevard.

Fused with oceanfront dining and seaside activities, Malvarossa is one of the best places to stay in Valencia, Spain.

There are plenty of pocket-friendly and high-end hotels on the beachfront and if you want to venture out of the area, Malvarossa is well-connected with tram, bus and metro.

Best Places to Stay in Malvarossa:

Cabanyal

Crowned with colourful homes, atmospheric streets and a hefty maritime heritage, Cabanyal makes for a fantastic foray.

Framed as a former fishing village, this gem fuses old-town charm with a character-packed personality. Frolic around the azulejo-tiled facades, peruse the petite fisherman’s homes and swing by the modernist structures. Arrayed with authentic experiences and an insight into local living, this is one of the top places to stay in Valencia, Spain.

Cabanyal is crisscrossed with some of the city’s best tapas bars, as well as a handful of buzzing bars and chilled-out nightclubs. Admire the candy-coloured houses in Calle Sant Pere, shop for fresh fish at the Lonja de Pescadores and wind your way through the maze-like passageways. If you’re thinking about where to stay in Valencia, El Cabanyal offers a slice of authenticity.

Best Places to Stay in Cabanyal:

Quatre Carreres (Ciudad de las Artes y Ciencias)

Fringed with futuristic architecture, this neighbourhood will have you feeling like you’ve transcended time.

Quatre Carreres, home to the City of Arts and Sciences, is steeped deep in activities. Step inside the Science Museum, get a peek at marine life in the Oceanographic Museum and gallivant along Gulliver Park.

Watch a performance at the opera house, Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia, or hit the shops at the grand-scale El Saler.

Waltz along the Walk of the Sculptures, discover indigenous plant species in L’Umbracle and see the whale-shaped Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe.

Cross over Montolivet Bridge, catch a concert at L’Àgora and peer over the dry riverbed at Assut de l’Or Bridge.

Set aside an afternoon to soak up the sun from Turia Park (Jardin de Turia) or get active rowing or paddle boarding in the aqua-blue waters of the complex.

Considering its location between the beach and the city centre, there's going to be a lot of walking involved.

Alternatively, you can use public transport to get around, but just be aware that this district is about a 40-minute walk from Ciutat Vella.

For action-packed attractions, Quatre Carreres is one of the best places to stay in Valencia.

Best Places to Stay in Quatre Carreres:

Extramurs

Sitting on the outskirts of the city, Extramurs hones in on the residential side of Valencia.

As the name goes, ‘outside the walls’, this less-frequented district is dowsed in practicality and affordability. Explore the verdant Botanical Garden, admire the interplay of horticulture-meets-architecture in Jardin de Turia and soak up all the peace and quiet.

Mosey around the towering Torres de Quart, swing by the University of Valencia and dabble in the international food scene. If you’re a budget traveller who’s wondering where to stay in Valencia, Spain, Extramurs is the top choice for you.

Best Places to Stay in Extramurs:

La Zaidia

Bordering Benimaclet in the north, Zaidia is the perfect rural respite for those looking to stay outside the city walls.

This neighbourhood is connected to the Ciutat Vella by four, ancient bridges, Trinitat, Serranos, San José and Fuste. La Zaidia is threaded with greenery, so if you’re looking for the best balance, this is your best bet. Meander around the manicured flower beds in Jardines del Real, admire the trickling fountains in the Marchalenes City Park and appreciate the architecture at El Convento de la Trinidad and the Museum of Fine Arts.

Sip on an espresso in the petite cafes, eat local paella in the cuisine scene and jump aboard the Pont de Fusta tram to reach the beach.

If you’re looking for a wallet-friendly spot with a mix of sightseeing and nature, La Zaidia is one of the best places to stay in Valencia Spain.

Best Places to Stay in La Zaidia:

Campanar

Located in the northwest of Valencia, Campanar takes tranquillity up a notch. As a former farming district, the laid-back vibes can still be felt throughout.

Campanar is one of the top places to stay in Valencia with low-key vibes. When you've had a hectic day out sightseeing, coming back to a spot like this can help you to balance things out. Mosey around the Modernist style homes, soak up the old-world charm and dine in a local restaurant.

Best Places to Stay in Campanar:

Beniferri

When compared to the vibrant streets of the Old Town or the seaside charm of Malvarossa, Beniferri isn’t exactly a traveller’s treasure trove.

Nestled in the north of the city centre, this neighbourhood in Valencia is ideal for business travellers. With proximity to the Palau de Congressos, convenience really is key. Home to several restaurants and fitness centres, this is a suitable option to keep you satisfied. If you’re a business traveller looking for where to stay in Valencia, Spain, Beniferri is the best choice.

Best Places to Stay in Beniferri:

Best Time to Visit Valencia

The shoulder seasons of spring (March to May) and autumn (September to December) are the top times to visit Valencia.

With pleasant weather for sightseeing, you’ll be able to tick all the attractions off your bucket list. Plus, you’ll be able to enjoy fewer crowds and lower prices.

The best month to visit Valencia is during May. The springtime paints the scene with floral scents and warmer days that are perfect for exploring.

The hottest months in Valencia are July and August, with summer temperatures rising above 30 °C. This is the best time for beach activities and festivals, but sightseeing can be strenuous if it's not done in the early hours of the day.

The low season, December to February, is the ideal time for budget travellers. If you’re planning a pocket-friendly trip to Valencia, the winter season offers mild weather and dirt-cheap prices on accommodation, flights, activities and transport. Learn how to keep things cost-effective with this Travel Budgeting Guide.

Top Things to Do in Valencia

Now that you know where to stay in Valencia, it’s time to dig into what’s on offer. The hometown of paella poses a panoply of exciting pursuits, from food and museums to art and architecture.

Here are some of the Top Sights in Valencia, Spain:

How to Get Around Valencia

Valencia is a very walkable city. Venturing through the Ciutat Vella by foot opens you up to a world of experiences. You’ll be surprised at how many hidden gems you discover along the way.

If you’d like to explore the outskirts, hiring a bike allows you to see areas like Jardin de Tura and the beaches.

Thanks to the city’s reliable public transport network, Valencia can easily be explored without a car. The city is home to over 60 different bus lines, 5 metro lines and 4 tram lines. For maps, routes and timetables, check out the EMT website.

Public transport is also connected to the Valencia Airport, the city centre (Old Town) and surrounding areas.

If you’re only in town for one to two days, it’s worth considering the hop-on hop-off bus. This tourist bus stops at all the major attractions, and it can save a lot of time spent trying to navigate the city on your own.

FAQs

What is the best part of Valencia to stay in?

Ciutat Vella, also known as the Old Town, is the ideal pick for first-timers. This buzzing neighbourhood offers a range of different experiences, as well as many of Valencia’s show-stopping attractions.

What is the main area of Valencia?

As Spain's third largest city, Valencia covers countless kilometers. The main areas of the city are the Old Town (including El Carmen and Ruzafa), the marina, the beach and Turia Park.

How many days are recommended for Valencia?

Valencia is brimming with things to do, and while you can scratch the surface in one day, it’s not enough to see it all.

With four to five days, you can dive deep into the history, culture and cuisine without having to rush around like a headless chicken. Thanks to the city’s public transport network, you can spend a day or two exploring the nearby beaches.

Why Visit Valencia?

Honing in on a hefty history, riveting culture and home of palatable paella, Valencia is well worth visiting.

This seaside hot spot is scattered with beaches, bars and flower-fringed gardens that contrast against the ancient Old Town. Before you book your Spanish getaway, save this guide on Where to Stay in Valencia, Spain.

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