ValenciaMainland Spain · Spain

All About Valencia

While the third-largest city in Spain, Valencia has been slow to show off its eclectic list of attractions, which range from ancient Roman and Moorish relics to thriving cultural festivals. But the evolution of the city from industrial heartland to attractive coastal getaway has been a worthwhile one. Situated on the Mediterranean coast between Barcelona to the north and Almeria to the south, Valencia also acts as a gateway to the Balearic Islands of Mallorca, Menorca, and Ibiza. A number of ferry links connect Valencia to these islands. Ferryscanner lets you compare ferry companies, and book ferry tickets to Valencia, with ease.
 

Routes and Ferries to Valencia

The most relaxing way to reach the popular vacation spots of the Balearic Islands is undoubtedly by taking advantage of the array of ferry tickets to Valencia that are available. Two ferry companies operate these routes, Trasmediterránea and Baleària.

The shortest journey across the azure blues of the Mediterranean Sea is the ferry journey to Ibiza, with average voyage times of around five hours with the high-speed ferry. The journey takes around 6.5 hours on slower ferries, but they are a great alternative for those on a budget looking for ferry tickets to Valencia. From Ibiza, it’s also possible to connect with crossings to Formentera, with the latter crossing taking around 25 minutes. There are between one and two ferries in either direction from Valencia to Ibiza throughout the year, with up to 40 crossings then connecting Ibiza with Formentera.

It is only slightly further from Valencia to Palma de Mallorca, with transit times of just under eight hours. Services can usually be found for any day of the year, while in the summer months there are up to 17 crossings weekly, equating to one or two journeys in either direction each day.

Those with ferry tickets to Valencia from Menorca or vice versa can expect this ferry journey to last around 15 hours. Docking at the port in the island’s capital of Mahon, Trasmediterránea operates the ferry approximately once a week.

Internationally, Baleària also operates ferry services between Valencia and Mostaganem in Algeria. The journey takes 16 hours, and there are up to three sailings each week, traveling overnight in well-appointed cabins. This means you’ll be perfectly refreshed and ready to explore as soon as you reach your destination.

Valencia is also connected with mainland Spain by both road and rail. The city can be reached from Madrid in approximately two hours and Barcelona in around three hours. From further afield, Valencia Airport receives flights from right across Europe.
 

Port of Valencia

One of Europe’s busiest container ports, Valencia also has separate passenger terminals for Trasmediterránea and Baleària ferry passengers. A short distance from one another, they have a good-sized parking area, cafes, and duty-free stores. Overlooked by the old city, the port is easily reached even without your own vehicle from the center of Valencia. The port has its own station on the city’s metro system, Grau Canyamelar, on Line 5. Several bus routes also link it to the city center, including lines 4, 30, 95, and N8. If you have a lot of luggage with you, a taxi might be a better option. Taxi drivers usually await the arrival of ferries.
 

Best Beaches

Valencia has no shortage of sunny skies or warm temperatures, and so it’s no surprise that both Valencians and visitors regularly enjoy days at the beaches in and around the city. Temperatures above 20°C (68°F) stretch from the early spring until late fall (the beginning of April until the end of October), meaning there’s no shortage of opportunity for a day soaking up the sun and the beach vibes of this Mediterranean city.

La Malvarrosa

Lying immediately north of the port of Valencia and close to the Universitat Politecnica, Playa de la Malvarrosa is not only the closest beach to the city center but also one of the most popular. Its proximity to the university campus means it has a youthful and carefree ambiance. This helps it maintain a sense of authenticity, with the majority of those making use of this large expanse of orange-yellow sand being locals rather than tourists.

Platja Port Saplaya

Approximately eight kilometers from the center of Valencia this beach has a ribbon of soft, clean sand that runs for around 200 meters between breakwaters which provide some shelter from the full force of the incoming waves. One of the main beaches in the well-to-do suburb of the same name, it is well-served by nearby facilities including locally-run restaurants.

El Saler

Around 12 kilometers south of Valencia, El Saler beach edges La Albufera Natural Park, guaranteeing its pristine nature. Not only that, but El Saler beach runs continuously for six kilometers of sand. Backed by sand dunes, the area is home to Campo de Golf El Saler golf course. Considered the birthplace of paella, this is also one of the best places anywhere in Valencia to sample this Spanish classic.

San Antonio Beach

At the opposite end of La Albufera Natural Park, you’ll find San Antonio Beach on the seafront at Cullera, 40 minutes south of central Valencia. Curving around a small bay, the sands here are rarely crowded, although you won’t find the same facilities as the other beaches on our list. While there, be sure to check out the Dragut Cave, said to be an old haunt for the region’s pirates.
 

Things to Do

Away from the beach, Valencia has a series of landmarks and attractions that are sure to tempt even the most ardent seeker of sun, sea, and sand to explore some of what this city has to offer.

Museu de Belles Arts

Situated on the northwestern side of the Jardins del Real, the Museum of Fine Arts is the second-largest art gallery in Spain. Its walls are hung with important works from the country dating back 400 years, with a room dedicated to Goya being one of the highlights. But in many ways the building itself is just as impressive, dating back to 1683.

Valencia Central Market

With food being so integral to Spanish culture, a visit to Valencia’s Centra Market is a great way of discovering some of its secrets. Shrouded in an attractive latticework of Victorian-era iron, you’ll find stall after stall of locally-grown foodstuffs. In between, there are also plenty of bars and cafes in which to stop for a drink or bite to eat.

The Holy Grail

One of Valencia’s more unusual claims to fame is as the home of the Holy Grail, the cup with which Christ is said to have drunk from during the Last Supper. This tiny drinking vessel is housed somewhat incongruously in a nondescript side chapel within the mishmash of architectural styles which form the city’s cathedral.
 

Transportation Around Valencia

Valencia is relatively small compared to other European cities, and it’s certainly possible to uncover its many secrets on foot. But should this all get too much, there are a good number of other transportation options.

The Metro is a quick and cheap way of getting around the city. It operates from early morning until around midnight every day of the week. Tickets can be bought at metro stations in cash or with a credit or debit card, and ticket machines have an English language option. The Metro system comprises nine lines, easily differentiated by color. Stations are marked by a logo of a white lowercase ‘m’ in front of a red circle.

The city is also well served by bus routes, although it can be difficult to know exactly which bus stop is best for your given destination. In this case, one of the city’s taxis might be a better option. If you’re looking to check out the main sights before jumping onto a ferry, you might prefer to take advantage of the open-top tourist buses that ply set routes around the city and have commentary in multiple languages.