Discover Valencia: City, Coast and Region

To the north, the Costa de Azahar lies in the province of Castellón. Around València, people often refer to the coast of the province of Valencia, while farther south the Costa Blanca extends across the province of Alicante. These names are useful for getting your bearings, but they don’t describe one continuous holiday experience: urban beaches, small coves, long sandy beaches and port towns each have their own distinct landscapes and atmospheres.

If you stay in València, you can combine sightseeing with a trip to the beach. For excursions to more distant stretches of coast, it’s worth checking travel times and transport options in advance. Depending on your destination, a train, regional bus or rental car may be a good choice; services and timetables change seasonally.

Many sights in the historic centre can be visited on routes that are easy to combine. For a first walk, consider the cathedral and surrounding squares, the Silk Exchange (La Lonja) and the Mercado Central. The Turia Gardens form a vast green space running through the city, linking different neighbourhoods with the City of Arts and Sciences.

South of the city lies l’Albufera Natural Park, with its lagoon, rice fields and traditional villages. It offers a change of pace from city sightseeing: depending on the season, you might go for a walk, watch birds or take a boat trip. Before setting off, check current transport options and opening times or activities available at your destination. Find more ideas for excursions into the countryside on our page Natural Parks in the Valencia Region.

Paella is closely associated with the region, but Valencian cuisine is about much more than one dish. Rice dishes, fish and seafood, vegetables and local sweets vary by place and season. Ingredients and preparation methods differ between restaurants; if you have allergies or dietary requirements, ask directly. For an overview of typical dishes and useful ordering tips, visit our page Food and Drink in Valencia.

Spring and autumn are often pleasant seasons for museums, markets and longer walks; in summer, heat, shade and drinking enough water become more important. The city gets especially busy during major celebrations such as Las Fallas. Plan accommodation, travel and activities well in advance, and be prepared for temporary road closures or changes. Find more tips for planning around festivals at Festivals and Events in Valencia.

For a short trip, it’s usually more relaxing to use València as your base and add just one or two excursions. If you want to explore several coastal towns or provinces, allow more time and compare distances on a map. For up-to-date inspiration and official planning information, visit the Valencia Region Tourism Portal.

For a short city break, it’s usually practical to stay in the city and plan your visits to the old town, Turia Gardens, museums and beach around the time of day and the weather. Find your way around the neighbourhoods and sights with our València City Guide; the Valencia Travel Information page has the latest advice on getting there and getting around. If you’d like to add a day in nature, plan l’Albufera as a separate destination rather than trying to fit several distant parks into one day.

For a longer trip, you can combine the province of Valencia with an excursion inland or along the coast. Xàtiva is one option for culture and history inland, while Gandia lets you explore a stretch of coast different from the one around the capital. Check whether the train or bus connections fit your day’s itinerary; journey times and services may change.

If you also want to visit Castellón or Alicante, take the distances into account and consider changing where you stay. The three provinces offer different coastal and natural landscapes; a single base won’t necessarily be equally convenient for every excursion. Before booking, compare the location of your accommodation with the places you plan to visit and the transport options available. You can compare the selection of regional accommodation in Valencia with your preferred base for the trip.