I first visited Valencia on a tour of Spain with a friend back in 2012, which took in Andalusia and Barcelona with Valencia sandwiched in the middle. I was captivated by its beauty, but as the fifth stop on a long trip, I felt we didn’t do it justice. Fast forward to 2022, and this time I dedicated a week to Valencia with my family. And I was absolutely hooked!
Despite being Spain’s third-largest city, Valencia often gets overlooked. Living in the shadow of Madrid and Barcelona, many travellers haven’t yet set foot in this incredible Spanish destination. With fewer tourists but just as much to discover, Valencia feels like a hidden gem and is definitely Spain’s most underrated city.
In this Valencia guide, I’ll show you why Valencia should be your next Spanish city break. I’ll take you through the top Valencia attractions and practical tips that’ll make you fall in love with this amazing city and leave you questioning why you didn’t visit sooner.
💡Quick Tips💡
Our favorite place to stay in Valencia: Blanq Carmen Hotel on Ciutat Vella, this small, 3-star hotel boasts a small, rooftop pool and the rooms are bright, airy, and stylish.
Our favorite tours in Valencia: This private half-day tour of Valencia’s highlights, like Mercado Central, La Lonja de la Seda and Jardín de Monforte. It’s 4 hours long and costs from €88.
What Makes Valencia So Special
You might be wondering what makes Valencia so special compared to Spain’s more famous cities. Having explored both Madrid and Barcelona extensively, I can honestly say Valencia has something unique that others don’t. Here’s what sets this incredible city apart.
1. Valencia is the perfect size
The first is Valencia’s perfect size. Despite being the third-largest city in Spain, it doesn’t feel as overwhelming as Madrid or Barcelona. The hordes of tourists you see in Madrid and Barcelona just aren’t there in Valencia. It’s less overwhelming and moves at a much slower pace.
Valencia’s city centre is perfectly walkable, with many main attractions within walking distance of each other. Others, like the City of Arts and Sciences, are just a short bus ride away.
Overall, it’s really easy to navigate as a tourist.
2. It boasts an incredible food scene
Valencia has an incredible food scene. It’s the birthplace of paella, and you can get some absolutely phenomenal versions here. We really loved the paella at Casa Carmela in Cabanyal!
We ate at a different restaurant every night on our week-long trip (including Restaurant Secret and Karak), and every meal was delicious. With fewer tourists, there are minimal tourist traps – a nice change from dodging overpriced food in Barcelona.
Valencia also has amazing local markets like the Central Market (Mercat Central), all used by locals and perfect for authentic Spanish produce.
3. It’s a beach city (big advantage!)
Like nearby Alicante, Valencia has an ace card with its beach. Located just 20 minutes by bus from the city centre, Malvarossa beach offers wide, spacious golden sands.
Been to Barcelona’s beaches and felt like a sardine? Not in Valencia – plenty of space for everyone.
Top Attractions You Can’t Miss in Valencia
You might be familiar with Madrid and Barcelona’s big attractions. When you think of Spain, images of the Sagrada Familia, Parc Güell, or the Royal Palace in Madrid likely instantly appear in your mind. Perhaps surprisingly, Valencia can more than hold its own with its two bigger siblings. With the perfect blend of old and new, Valencia has something for all tastes.
City of Arts and Sciences
One of Valencia’s most unique attractions is the City of Arts of Sciences. Voted one of Spain’s 12 treasures, I remember being gobsmacked the first time I saw it. The entire complex looks like something from another world and is unlike anything else in Spain.
The complex is home to Europe’s largest aquarium, a science museum, an IMAX, a planetarium, and an opera house, and it can take a full day to explore. Tickets cost between €8-33, depending on the attraction, with a ticket for all attractions costing around €47. Most visitors choose the Oceanogràfic and Science Museum combo, which costs €37.40 for adults.
Or you could book a guided tour for the museum and the Oceanografic – which lasts for 3 hours and gives you the benefit of having a knowledgeable local guide on hand. The rate is per group (and up to 15 people can book on).
The complex is open 7 days a week, only closing for specific holidays. If you’re travelling on a budget, it costs nothing to explore the stunning exterior architecture.
Valencia Cathedral & Miguelete Tower
Valencia Cathedral is located at the heart of the city and is a must-see. This stunning building has a couple of unexpected surprises. The first is the Holy Grail – yes, the one allegedly used at the Last Supper! Whether you believe it or not, it’s fascinating to see and decide for yourself.
The second surprise is the mummified hand of Saint Vincent, patron saint of Valencia. Quite why they have his mummified hand, I’m not sure, but it’s definitely interesting to see.
The cathedral is free to visit, but I recommend paying the €3 fee to climb the Miguelete Tower. The tower offers panoramic views over Valencia – there are 207 steps, but it’s worth it for the incredible views.
Central Market (Mercado Central)
Valencia is synonymous with food, and the Central Market is the centrepiece of this obsession with cuisine. Situated opposite the Silk Exchange, it’s frequented by locals and tourists alike and is one of my favourite markets in Spain.
Housed in a modernist building, the market is the largest fresh produce market in Europe and offers great insight into Valencian cuisine. The variety of fresh produce is amazing, and you can treat yourself to food at the stands.
Visit in the morning as it’s closed on Sundays. The market is free to enter and perfect for photos – just don’t get in the way of locals doing their shopping.
Turia Gardens
The Turia Gardens are one of Valencia’s most unique features. Snaking around the city centre, the gardens follow the former route of the city’s river. After a devastating flood in 1957, the Turia River was rerouted south of the city.
Nowadays, the gardens are a city centre park that locals use for running, cycling, and relaxing. They’re always open and free to enter, making them great for budget travellers. The gardens stretch from the Bioparc to the City of Arts and Sciences.
Barrio del Carmen
Barrio del Carmen is Valencia’s oldest area. Located near the cathedral, it offers authentic streets with narrow cobblestone lanes winding between medieval buildings and hidden squares.
What I love most is how it transforms throughout the day. During daylight, you’ll find local shops, vintage boutiques, and street art – like walking through an open-air gallery. Come evening, Barrio del Carmen comes alive as the heart of Valencia’s nightlife, with locals spilling from traditional bars onto the streets.
There are plenty of bars and restaurants, from traditional tapas spots to trendy cocktail bars hidden in centuries-old buildings. The atmosphere is infectious. Being a city area, it’s free to explore, perfect for budget travellers wanting authentic Valencia nightlife.
Check out the most popular tours of Valencia:
Why Valenicia Is Better Than the “Big Two”
Still not convinced that Valencia is an underrated gem? Let me break it down for you.
Compared to Madrid
Madrid is incredible – one of my favourite cities in the world. But the hustle and bustle can get overwhelming, especially in summer when tourists flock there. Valencia offers a more relaxed pace with beach access that transforms your city break into a varied experience.
With fewer tourists, Valencia is more affordable than Madrid. Accommodation and restaurants cost less, and you’ll avoid tourist traps. Plus, Valencia has over 300 days of sunshine a year – that’s 40 more than Madrid!
Compared to Barcelona
Barcelona often feels more hectic than Madrid and very touristy. Valencia offers a quieter coastal alternative. As a bit of a hidden gem, you won’t find Barcelona’s tourist hordes here.
With fewer crowds, you get a more authentic Spanish experience – perfect for seeing ‘real’ Spain. The locals are incredibly friendly too. While Barcelona requires careful planning to see everything, Valencia is compact and easier to navigate at a relaxed pace.
Practical Tips for Visiting Valencia:
With over 300 days of sunshine a year, Valencia is great any time, but May or September offer perfect weather for sightseeing and beach time.
I’d recommend 3 days as a good introduction to Valencia (and I’ve created a detailed 3-day Valencia itinerary to help you make the most of your time), though we spent a week and I’m still going back! The city is very walkable with good metro access from the airport. While there’s less English spoken than in Madrid or Barcelona, many restaurant staff speak English.
Valencia is very budget-friendly – you can explore properly for €60-90 per day without accommodation, including great food and major attractions.
Where to Stay in Valencia
We stayed at the Hotel NH Valencia Centre, this 4-star hotel is centrally located (on Ricardo Micó) and boasts a rooftop (covered) swimming pool, fitness center, and a terrace with lovely city views. It’s a large hotel (192 rooms) and is within walking distance of the city centre.
We also loved the look of the Blanq Carmen Hotel on Ciutat Vella. This small, 3-star hotel boasts a small, rooftop pool, and the rooms look bright, airy, and stylish.
The Soho Boutique Turia is also highly rated, and it’s centrally located.
Renting a Car in Valencia
If you plan on renting a car for your time in Valencia, then you can easily drive to nearby cities like Alicante and Barcelona. Which means that you can explore Spain at your own pace, leave your hotel at a time that suits you, and stop at any sights you want along the way. Car rental in Spain is quite cheap, too – making it all the more appealing.
You can search for car rental deals in Valencia here –
Thanks for Reading!
Valencia is, without a doubt, Spain’s most underrated city. With the perfect blend of culture, food, beache,s and authenticity, few cities can match it. When looking for your next Spanish trip, especially if it’s your first time visiting Spain, look past Madrid and Barcelona and give Valencia a go. It’s not going to stay secret forever!
Author Bio:
Liam is a Spanish travel expert who has visited Spain over 30 times and explored every one of its autonomous communities. Fluent in Spanish and passionate about uncovering hidden gems, he shares insider tips and firsthand insights to help travellers experience the real Spain – beyond the guidebooks. He writes about his travels on his website Travels Around Spain!
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Last Updated on October 24, 2025 by snaphappytravel