Where to Stay in Valencia: What you Need to Know
Valencia, capital of the Comunitat Valenciana region and one of the most important cities of the Spanish Mediterranean coast, is one of the most historically significant cities in the Iberian Peninsula.
With a history that goes back to 138 BC, and some of the most innovative and avant-garde buildings of the new millennium, Valencia is a city with architecture for all tastes.
Thanks to its geographical location by the Mediterranean Sea, Valencia is a wonderful and fresh city.
But Valencia is not only a paradise for architecture junkies. In Valencia, you can find shopping, culture, cinema, theater, music, museums, business and much more. Valencia is a hub for international and avant-garde design, as well as being one of the most attractive fairs and congress cities in Europe.
In addition, fine sand, clean water, open sea and the proximity of the coastal mountains give the Valencian coast a unique character.
In Valencia, there are a lot of things to see and do, among the most popular are the visits to the Central Market, the Old Turia River Channel, the Bioparc Zoo and the imposing City of Arts and Sciences (Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias).
If you prefer to enjoy the outdoors, you can visit the different beaches such as the Malvarrosa, or the Perellonet, or even visit the Gulliver Park, the Oceanogràfic aquarium.
Valencia is also a foodie’s paradise, with rice dishes and the universally-known paella as the region’s main dishes.
Moving from one place to another in Valencia is quite simple, the city has a wide variety of bus routes, as well as a train system that travels throughout the town.
This is a list of the best areas to stay in Valencia.
The best areas to stay in Valencia, Spain
1. Best area: Ciutat Vella
Ciutat Vella, literally Old Town, is the historic district of Valencia.
This district occupies the center of the city and is composed of six barrios: La Seu, La Zerea, El Carmen, El Pilar, El Mercat and Sant Francesc.
In this area, there are some tourist attractions such as the Museum of Ceramics, Valencia Cathedral, the Silk Market, Serranos or Quart Towers, the Central Market that make this city unique.
Also, there are lots of pedestrianised streets and little corners that make Valencia a very charming place for a city its size.
It is a compact neighborhood and very pleasant to walk. Bicycles are the best option to travel and get to know this area.
No doubt the Old Town is the best area to stay in Valencia.
Hand-picked hotels in this area
- Our Top Pick
MYR Hotel Plaza Mercado & Spa houses a spa center and a hot tub and is located in Valencia, in the Valencian Community. The unit is 400 meters from El Carmen. Free WiFi is available in all areas.
- Budget Option
Expo Hotel Valencia has a roof terrace with seasonal pool and panoramic views of Valencia. It is located in the Nuevo Centro Shopping Center, 15 minutes’ walk from the historic center of Valencia.
- Midrange Option
Catalonia Excelsior is located in the historic center of Valencia, a few meters from the Plaza del Ayuntamiento. This elegant hotel offers a café, free Wi-Fi and rooms with satellite TV.
- Luxury Option
Caro Hotel is located in a 19th century palace in the center of Valencia, just 200 meters from the city’s cathedral. It combines historical elements with a modern design, and features a year-round outdoor pool.
2. Poblats Maritims
Poblats Marítims or Poblados Marítimos is known for being the quintessential marine district of Valencia.
It includes the Cabanyal, Canyamelar, Grao, Malvarrosa, Beteró and Nazaret neighborhoods, together they preserve the traditional marine and fishing essence of Valencia.
The sea is the biggest attraction of this neighborhood.
This is the area of locally famous eateries such as the Montaña Winery, Casa Guillermo, known for its anchovies, La Peseta, La Pascuala or Tasca La Reina with its tapas and sandwiches menu.
The streets El Grau, Beteró, La Malvarrosa are very popular sea promenades.
Poblados Marítimos is a relatively central area, well connected by buses.
Access to the beach and a large number of accommodations make Poblats Maritims one of the best places to stay in Valencia.
Hand-picked hotels in this area
- Our Top Pick
Hotel Boutique Balandret is located in Valencia, in front of Las Arenas beach and its promenade, it offers a restaurant and bright rooms with free Wi-Fi.
- Budget Option
Malvarrosa Beach Rooms is 1 minute walk from the beach. Malvarrosa Beach Rooms is located just 50 meters from the sandy beach of Les Arenes in Valencia. It offers a 24-hour reception and rooms with sea views, free Wi-Fi and a flat-screen TV.
- Midrange Option
Hotel Miramar is 1 minute walk from the beach. This small contemporary-style hotel overlooks the Mediterranean from Las Arenas beach, near the Royal Juan Carlos I Marina, in the city of Valencia. There is free WiFi.
- Luxury Option
Las Arenas Balneario Resort, a 5 star hotel, has an excellent location facing the sea and direct access to the beach of Las Arenas in Valencia. Las Arenas Balneario features a luxury spa and 2 outdoor swimming pools.
3. Ruzafa
Ruzafa is undoubtedly one of the most happening neighbourhoods in Valencia.
This neighborhood is full of alternative, young energy and things to do, making it the perfect area for a day or night out.
Ruzafa has a wide variety of restaurants such as La Nonna or El Rojo. You can also enjoy bars and clubs such as Biplaza and Mandalay Club, of course, there are many more bars and restaurants in this area.
Other attractions in Ruzafa are some churches and convents such as the Parroquial Church of San Valero and San Vicente Mártir.
Ruzafa Municipal Market is also worth a visit.
Ruzafa is quite central and you can walk around without any problem. No doubt it’s one of the best areas to stay in Valencia, Spain.
Hand-picked hotels in this area
- Our Top Pick
Petit Palace Ruzafa is located in the center of Valencia, it has an impressive 19th century façade and offers elegant accommodation and a variety of modern services.
- Budget Option
Pensión Alicante is located in the center of Valencia, just 3 minutes walk from the North Station. It offers rooms with free Wi-Fi, TV and shower facilities.
4. Extramurs
Extramurs, or in Spanish, Extramuros (“Outside the Walls”), is the third district of the city of Valencia.
This neighborhood is south of Campanar, west of Ciutat Vella and Eixample, north of Jesús and east of Patraix L’Olivereta. Its location is relatively in the city centre.
This neighborhood has several sites of interest, such as the Torres de Quart and the Botanical Garden of the University of Valencia.
In the south of the district, you can find Estación del Nord, where different trains from all over the city arrive and depart.
In Extramurs you can also enjoy a varied and exquisite cuisine. In the surroundings of the city, there are restaurants where you can find everything from typical Spanish food, to international dishes.
Hand-picked hotels in this area
- Our Top Pick
Zenit Valencia offers a fantastic location in the center of Valencia, in front of the Estación del Norte and the bullring of the city. It offers free Wi-Fi and has a gym, sauna and parking.
5. Quatre Carreres (Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias)
The district housing the famous City of Arts is one of the largest in Valencia.
There are seven neighborhoods that comprise it: Na Rovella, Monteolivete, Malilla, La Punta, Font de San Lluís, En Corts and the City of Arts and Sciences.
Its name (“Four Roads”) comes from the four main roads that go from Ruzafa to the different parts of its municipal district.
This several attractive sites, for example, the San Luisa Fountain Pavilion, the Monteolivete and Punta Iglesias, and there are also several tourist sites, and the best known, the area of the City of Arts and science.
The latter is the main attraction of the neighborhood, it is a multipurpose complex, focused on culture and entertainment. Here you can enjoy and discover more than 500 marine species, you can enjoy the opera, or you can go to the interactive science and technology museums, where you can also enjoy 3D movies. There are 3 sites that comprise this large complex, with its attractive modern architecture and different interactions, it is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit and one of the best areas to stay in Valencia.
Hand-picked hotels in this area
- Our Top Pick
NH Valencia Las Ciencias enjoys an ideal location next to the City of Arts and Sciences of Valencia. It offers contemporary rooms with free Wi-Fi and a flat-screen TV. Buses with service to the city center stop in front of the hotel.
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|ES| Dónde dormir en Valencia
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|CAT| On allotjar-se a València
Hi Luis. I found your descriptions very interesting. Only thing is the hotel prices seem waaaaaaaay cheaper than they are now. Just a tip.
Great info. Thank you!
Thanks
Very useful information. There are a lot of attractions in Valencia, among them the Universities. My brother entered one of the Universities in Valencia. When he lived on the other side of the city, ah, it’s quite far away, and was late, he rented an electric scooter from the company “Brisa”, and so he got to classes.
Very useful information. There are a lot of attractions in Valencia, among them the Universities stand out. My brother entered one of the Universities in Valencia. When he lived on the other side of the city, ah, it’s quite far away, and was late, he rented an electric scooter from the “Brisa” company and so he got to classes.
Yes, I also like to live in Valencia especially I love the sea and walking on electric scooters around the city