Valencia Solo Travel Guide: Ultimate 2025 Tips

Heading to Valencia? This short, sharp guide skips the fluff—get the essentials for an epic trip (top hostels below)!

QUICK FACTS

The third largest city in Spain, with a population of nearly 800,000.
Located on the Turia River and fronting the Gulf of Valencia, the city’s port is the largest on the Mediterranean.
The global city counts its historic centre as the largest in the country.
Nickname: City of the Flowers.

Currency: Euro (EUR).
Spoken languages: Castellano and English in tourist-fronting businesses.
Best time to visit: from March to July. Expect warm, Mediterranean weather, plenty of sunshine and vibrant streets.
Fallas de San José (mid-March) is a 5-day festival held in honour of St. Joseph. Ninots or life-sized puppets depicting satirical scenes are paraded around town until the culmination of La Crema when they are stuffed with fireworks and set afire. Each year a ninot is pardoned and exhibited in the local museum along with other favorites from years before.
Another great festival to catch: La Tomatina (in nearby Buñol, last Wednesday of August).
Arriving via airport: Valencia Manises Airport (VLC) connects to the city centre with:
– bus line #150 (Fernanbús) from outside the departures area for €4.80.
– The metro will also get you to the city in 25 minutes (for €4.80).
You can also order a taxi through the Free Now app (should be approximately €25 one way from the airport).

Best Valencia hostel for solo travelers: Cantagua Hostel. Clean, comfortable, in a great location (15 minute walk to city centre), with good facilities and friendly staff.
– A few rooms connected to a central common room (everything is on one floor).
– Daily activities organized for guests.
The Historic Centre is the ideal base for those looking to walk around the city and minimize the need for transportation. Beautifully ethereal both in the Spanish daylight and at night, the centre is packed with sights, open-air café terraces and a range of accommodation.
Eixample is another great area: a decadent area with Art Nouveau façades, close to great shopping and other attractions.

The metro system runs from 5.30 AM to midnight. A single ticket costs €1.50-€2.00 depending on zones traveled.
– Tip: Metro Line 5 connects you to the beach.
Buses run from 4.30 AM to 10.30 PM, although a night line is also available from the Town Hall; single tickets cost €1.50 while bundles of 10 rides cost €10.00 (€8 + €2 for the card).
The Valencia Tourist Card combines free transportation on public vehicles with free or discounted entry at major attractions.
– The card also comes with a map to the city and an order of tapas with a soft drink at participating outlets.
– 24-hour card is €17, 48-hour card is €23, and 72-hour card is €29 (official site).
Taxis charge by the meter and by urban zone with a daytime minimum fare of €1.45 for pick-up plus €1.01 for each subsequent kilometre. Night-time prices apply from 22.00-6.00 and supplements may be added for journey from the airport and the maritime station. Dial 902 024 972 or 961 119 977 for English language assistance.
Instead of taxis, consider doing as the locals do: use the Free Now or Cabify apps to order a ride (the popular ride sharing services in Spain).

Drinking age is 18, and last call is 5 AM.
The best cocktails: Apotheke, El Tigre Ciego, Cocktail Bar Pessoa, The Muse Valencia ($ – pub), and The Artist bar Valencia.
Great bars with live music: Jimmy Glass Jazz Bar ($$), La Vitti, Kaf Café.
Looking for a bar with delicious food? Head to Taberna Vasca CHE or BerlangaBar (tapas).
The Ruzafa neighborhood is known for its hipster bars and cafes.
New trendy spots: La Sastrería and Mercatbar by Quique Dacosta.

La Catedral de Valencia is the spiritual centre of the city, a hybrid of Gothic, Baroque and Neo-Classical architecture. Visitors can view the Holy Grail one of only two in the world that have passed the authenticity tests posed by historians.
Torres de Serranos are what remain of the walls that used to envelop the city. Although built for defense, the gates were never used for their purpose but rather became a prison for nobility.
Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia is Valencia’s cultural centre opened in 2005. It is the tallest opera house in the world, an incredible feat of engineering in the ultra-modern City of Arts and Sciences.
Palacio del Marques de Dos Aguas is a ceramics museum presented in a magnificent fusion of Rococco, Neo-Classical and Oriental style.
Popular beaches: Playa de la Malvarrosa and El Sale (both easily accessible by public transport.)
Day trip ideas from Valencia:
– Albufera Natural Park for nature enthusiasts
– The historic town of Xàtiva, known for its castle
– Sagunto, for its well-preserved Roman theatre and castle

Plaza del Mercado is ideal for a morning stroll in one of Europe’s longest and oldest running markets. Perfect for picking up Valencia’s famously succulent oranges.
Discover the African fauna at Bioparc Valencia, the 10-hectare zoo that allows the animals to roam the grounds with none of the traditional cages or fences.
Walk around Paseo Maritimo and take in the waterfront, the long stretches of fine beach and the savor a casual lunch at any of the excellent seafood restaurants.
Tour Casco Antiguo and bask in the classic atmosphere of narrow, cobble stone streets, colorful courtyards and dramatic architecture.
Stroll through Valencia’s Turia Gardens, a fantastic place for walking, cycling, or simply relaxing.

Valencia is the birthplace of the Spanish national dish Paella and there are plenty of excellent traditional restaurants to discover its varieties. It’s usually for two people minimum, so it’s best to bring a friend (or prepare to eat two portions!)
Great restaurants to try: Casa Ángel (paella), Casa Carmela ($$$ – Valencian), Restaurante La Lluna ($ – vegan options), Kukla ($ – Middle Eastern with vegan options), Beak & Trotter ($$ – burgers).
Where to find good cheap eats: Barrio del Carmen and its backstreets offer all sorts of budget menus while El Centro is perfect for take-aways. Check out Bar Nuevo Oslo (great value for money). Delicious breakfasts: Ca Rakel.

The classic summer drink is Horchata, a sweet drink made from rice, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon.
Dangerous areas: While Valencia is generally safe, be cautious in crowded tourist areas and on public transport, where pickpocketing can occur.

Recommended trip duration: 2-3 days