What is the best place to stay in Valencia?
Ever since I moved here I’ve been getting this question a lot, as Valencia has become a popular tourist destination. So, it was about time to write a blog post about the best areas and the best hotels in Valencia.
Valencia looks deceptively small when you pull it up on Google Maps.
And, sure, one of the reasons why I love living in Valencia is because the city’s not that big. You can walk across the entire Old Town in maybe 20 minutes.
But some of the city’s most important attractions and neighborhoods are spread out.
The beach is a few kilometers from the city center. Some of the best neighborhood bars are in a totally different direction. The conference centers and business hotels are still in another part of the city.
So, when deciding where to stay in Valencia, it’s important to think about why you’re going — for sun? for sangria? for business? — this way you can narrow down your options to choose the right place to stay.
This guide should make that work a little easier.
Below are five distinct parts of the city, each with its own reason to visit. Then, I’ve listed what I think are some of the best hotels in Valencia to fit different budgets.
With this guide, you’ll have a good idea of what’s easily walkable from your accommodation, and what you can afford on your budget.
Note: If you are thinking about moving here, check out The Best Neighborhoods to Live in Valencia. My recommendations for where to stay in Valencia if you are visiting are different from where to live in the city.
Where to Stay in Valencia
1. Ciutat Vella
A lot of travelers will choose this as their No. 1 place to stay in Valencia, and for good reason.
The Ciutat Vella (“old town” in Valencian) is a charming old Medieval quarter, with winding streets and plenty of sights to see.
Whether you’re interested in the city’s religious heritage, fine art, street art, or Aguas de Valencia, you’ll be able to explore it all on foot here.
If you’ve been looking for things to do in Valencia you might have read about El Carmen, which is a neighborhood inside the old town. Or about several museums worth visiting in the old town and the two city gates on the edge of it.
So this explains why Ciutat Vella is such a popular area to stay in Valencia!
My Hotel Recommendations
High-End Hotel:
You’re steps to either El Carmen, the central market, and the cathedral at Vincci Mercat.
The staff is friendly and attentive, and don’t miss the chance to swim in the rooftop pool, which offers a great 360-degree view of the city.
Mid-Range Hotel:
One of the first things you will notice at the MYR Hotel Plaza Mercado & Spa is the beautiful patterned floor and their downstairs bar and restaurant that always look inviting, no matter the time of day.
Staying here places you right beside the central market.
If you’re looking for a very comfortable hotel in Valencia’s city center then this is a great choice. And their spa is a very nice bonus!
Budget Hotel:
Valencia Town Center New Apartments are just beside the Estació del Nord train station.
If you prefer an apartment over a hotel then this is a great choice.
The nine-block area surrounding the apartments is actually a really great multicultural neighborhood with loads of Chinese restaurants. It’s a noisy area, but it’s very central and you’re spoiled for choice on where to eat.
Note: Not all of their rooms have a kitchen, so make sure you book the type of apartment that works for you.
Also Read: Things to Do in Valencia on a Short Visit
2. The Beaches and El Cabanyal
If someone who loves the beach asks me where to stay in Valencia, I will always say El Cabanyal or Malvarrosa Beach.
Of course, what’s a trip to a Mediterranean city without, you know, actually hanging out on the Mediterranean coast?
For people looking to indulge in sun and sand, it’s best to book your accommodation near the beach. That keeps the daytime activities all walkable.
Then, if you want to do a little exploring in the evening, you can either check out El Cabanyal — traditionally an old fishing village that’s quickly becoming a prime spot for dining (including some of the best tapas bars) and low-key nightlife — or take the Metro or a bus into the city center.
My Hotel Recommendations
High-End Hotel:
If you’re going to do it big, book a room at the beautiful five-star Las Arenas Balneario Resort.
This hotel is widely known as one of the best hotels in Valencia. And don’t skimp on the spa treatments here because their spa is the best one I have found in Valencia – and I’ve tried a lot of them!
The staff here might provide the best service in town. The hotel is gorgeous, and it’s right on the beach.
Tip: even if staying at this hotel isn’t within your budget, I highly recommend visiting the hotel for a coffee on their terrace or a drink at their pool bar.
Mid-Range Hotel:
Sea You Hotel Port Valencia is about a block from the port and three or four more blocks from the beach — so, still easily walkable.
The hotel offers modern, well-maintained rooms, friendly staff, and a rooftop bar.
If you want a great neighborhood experience, head one block west (away from the beach) to Bodega La Peseta for a vermouth and tortillas.
Budget Hotel:
Sol Playa’s location is fantastic. It’s right on the Paseo de Neptuno, the most active pedestrian area along the beach (and maybe in the entire city).
You can book a twin room here for about 60 euros per night and the hotel offers cheap triple rooms as well.
3. The City of Arts and Sciences
Valencia’s flagship piece of architecture has also created one of the best areas for families to stay. Within walking distance are the science museum, the Oceanografic museum, Gulliver Park, and the Turia park itself.
If you get the feeling that your family would feel a little cramped in the city center, and they might need more entertainment than just the beach, the area around The City of Arts and Sciences is a good bet.
But, do keep in mind that this area isn’t an easy walk from the city center, nor the beach, so you’ll probably want to use a bus or taxi to explore those areas from here.
Also Read: Things to Do in Valencia With Kids
My Hotel Recommendations
High-End Hotel:
I’ve previously highlighted Barceló Valencia in my list of best rooftop bars in Valencia.
It’s a modern hotel with comfortable, spacious rooms, friendly staff, and a great breakfast.
The views of the Arts and Sciences complex are unbeatable, and there’s a nice, albeit small, spa in the hotel if you need to sneak away to relax a little.
Mid-Range Hotel:
Hotel Medium Valencia is actually across the river from the Arts and Sciences complex, but it’s still very much within walking distance.
It’s a well-maintained hotel that’s both close to the City of Arts & Sciences and an easy walk to Ruzafa – my next recommended area to stay in Valencia.
There’s room to stretch here, too: You’ll find an enclosed garden area with pools and the hotel has a small gym. There is parking on-site.
Budget Hotel:
Hotel NH Valencia Las Ciencias is the best budget hotel in this area, and the hotel offers packages that also include entrance to the museums in the City of Arts & Sciences.
NH Hotels is a Spanish hotel chain (although you can find their hotels in many other countries these days) and I’ve found all the NH hotels I stayed at a good choice for a more affordable, yet very comfortable, hotel stay.
NH Valencia Las Ciencias offers good value for money. The rooms aren’t big but have everything you need for a city break, and some boast a nice view of the City of Arts & Sciences.
If you sign up for the NH Rewards program, they’ll bump checkout time to 3 p.m.!
4. Ruzafa
Ruzafa is a very central neighborhood yet has a nice local feel that almost makes you forget you are in a big city.
And although more and more tourists are finding out about this area, it still feels a lot less touristy than Ciutat Vella.
Anyone looking for nightlife should probably stay in or around Ruzafa. Here, you’ll find great terraces for beers in the sun and some of the best brunch options for your morning after.
You might have to take a taxi to the club, depending on which club you choose, but Ruzafa has the best infrastructure — and most forgiving residents — to accommodate your big night out.
My Hotel Recommendations
High-End Hotel:
To be honest, Ruzafa is not really the place to stay if you are looking for a typical high-end hotel.
Ruzafa is more about nice boutique apartments and it offers a few, mainly smaller hotels.
And it’s one of the few areas in the city where I’d recommend looking for apartments to rent as well.
But, if you do want more luxury and still want to be close to Ruzafa, then check out SH Colon Valencia. The hotel is located in between Ruzafa and Ciutat Vella, which is actually the perfect location for a short trip to Valencia!
Mid-Range Hotel:
While Ruzafa doesn’t have great high-end hotels, it does have a few really good mid-range hotels, so I want to give you two recommendations.
The Senator Parque Central is a larger, 4-star hotel. The hotel is tucked off to the side of Ruzafa, which gives you both a view of the Parque Central and an easy stroll to dozens of bars and restaurants.
And then there is Petit Palace Ruzafa, which is my personal favorite in this part of the city.
It’s more of a boutique hotel, right in the middle of the neighborhood. You’re literally steps from several terraces where the bar staff pour drinks with a heavy hand.
A nice perk: Petit Palace offers free bike rental for guests. And yes, with its great climate, compact size and growing number of bike lanes, Valencia is a perfect city to explore by bike!
Budget Hotel:
Although located just south of Ruzafa, I would say Hotel Malcom and Barret is the way to go if you want to do the Ruzafa area on a budget.
It’s a bit of a walk from the hotel up to the heart of the neighborhood, but the tradeoff is comfortable rooms and an excellent hotel bar.
Beniferri
Locals would be confused by the inclusion of Beniferri on this list of best areas to stay in Valencia.
This neighborhood, however, just three Metro stops north of the city center, is where many business travelers will want to go. If you have an event at the Palau de Congressos, your hotel would be just steps away.
Plus, there are several good restaurant options in the area if you need to talk business over dinner.
My Hotel Recommendations
High-End Hotel:
If the company is picking up the tab, get them to book you in a premium double room at the Melia Valencia.
On a clear day (i.e. most days), this room will give you a nice view of the Sierra Calderona mountains to the north.
The hotel has a business center, conference rooms, and on-site parking.
Mid-Range Hotel:
Another great business travel option is a double room at Eurostars Gran Valencia.
Expect a standard four-star level of comfort, and take advantage of the fact that the hotel 1.) has a rooftop pool and 2.) is a block away from the Metro.
Budget Hotel:
If you’d rather stay in an apartment, ART LOFTS Valencia is a nice option in this area.
They offer stylishly designed apartments and free private parking.
The lofts come with a modern kitchen which I know many business travelers, myself included, can really appreciate.
Final Notes About Where to Stay in Valencia
As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, Valencia is not a very big city, so no matter where you stay, you’ll be able to explore the main sights within a few days.
Public transport is also good (although more limited at night and on weekends) and taxis are inexpensive.
A popular alternative to hotels in Valencia are apartments, rented through platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO. Especially if you are on a budget these are worth checking out, but do read the reviews carefully!
Most homes in Valencia are old and don’t have the best insulation. Add to that the lack of (good) heating and air conditioning and you might end up in a noisy apartment that gets uncomfortably cold in winter or boiling hot in summer – ask anyone living in Valencia, we’ve all been there!
Valencia has become a popular destination for weekend breaks in the last few years, which has had an effect on prices. If you are on a budget you might want to compare prices for weekdays vs weekends.
And in general prices for accommodation and flights will be higher around summertime (although the spring and fall have gotten more expensive too). And don’t forget about the week of Fallas celebrations in Valencia. Prices for accommodation skyrocket during this week!
As one final bit of advice, I would recommend avoiding Valencia in August. It gets uncomfortably hot in the city which makes sightseeing very unpleasant. And many locals plan their vacations during this month which means a lot of smaller shops and restaurants close for the month of August.
I hope this guide has helped you decide where to stay in Valencia. Enjoy this beautiful city I fell in love with!
If You Are Visiting Valencia, Also Read:
- Things to Do in Valencia on a Short Visit
- 15 Things to Do in Valencia With Kids
- A Sustainable Visit to Valencia: Eco-Friendly Things to Do
- The Best Rooftop Bars in Valencia
- 10 Tapas Bars in Valencia You Should Check Out
- Where to Eat the Best Paella in Valencia
- Authentic Chinese Food in Valencia
- How to Use the Valencia Metro the Cheapest & Easiest Way
- The Best Day Trips From Valencia
- Camping in Valencia: What You Need to Know Before You Book
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This blog about the best areas to stay and the best hotels in Valencia contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no additional cost to you.
Hi Sanne,
I love your article about visiting/moving to Valencia. We are at early stages of planning a move for two years for daughter’s six form education (UK A Levels) – do you have any suggestions of useful research sources for colleges? we are planning a research trip next month with a move next September. Thank you so much.
Hi Jen,
Thanks! I’d recommend joining a few of the Facebook groups for expats in Valencia. Ask about colleges there and I’m sure you’ll get a lot of first-hand experiences and tips.