Best Things To Do In Valencia Spain As A Solo Traveler
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BEST THINGS TO DO IN VALENCIA SPAIN
Considering a solo trip to Valencia Spain? Then you’re in the right place. Traveling solo to Valencia offers so much fun from exploring the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences to getting lost in the historic streets of the old town.
Besides, there are plenty of fun group tours to join if you want to meet other travelers like hostels, cycling tours, and foodie tours. The latter comes highly recommended as the specialty foods and local foods in Valencia are some of the best in Spain.
If you prefer to spend time by yourself, don’t worry. Valencia is a safe city to go around alone and it’s fairly walkable and offers good accessibility. Still, it’s best to adhere to a few safety tips for traveling Spain as a solo female traveler.
Read on for a complete guide to visit Valencia as a solo traveler.
Orange Trees In Valencia, Spain
Valencia Solo Travel Safety
First of all, let’s have a look at how safe Valencia is for solo travelers. Even though we are talking about the third largest city in Spain, it is fairly safe and crime against tourists is low.
However, as in any large city, be aware of pickpockets, especially in busy, touristy areas. You should also avoid empty, dark alleys at night – as you should anywhere.
Generally speaking, it is way safer than Barcelona and even Madrid, and in my experience, it feels safe to walk around alone even in the evening and the locals are friendly. I would easily say that Valencia is one of the best places to visit in Spain for first timers.
Getting Around Valencia
Valencia city center is walkable and can easily be explored without the use of public transport or taxi services. But the City of Arts and Sciences is located about a 30-minute walk from the old town so you might want to take the bus or tram, especially if you only have a day in Valencia, though it is a beautiful walk through the Turia Park. The beach is a bit further away, but it is well-connected by bus, tram, and metro.
Alternatively, if you are physically able, you can join a bike tour to the City of Arts and Sciences or the beach to get there faster and with the safety of a guide.
Accessibility: With a few exceptions, most metro stations in Valencia are also wheelchair accessible, and the tiny gap between the train and the platform makes it easy for wheelchair users to embark and disembark.
The buses have two wheelchair spaces, and most have automatic ramps that extend from the floor of the bus. If it’s not working, there is a manual backup.
Valencia Old Town
Where To Stay In Valencia
Depending on what you want from your stay in Valencia and how many days you have to explore, there are quite a few cool neighborhoods to stay. The Old Town is of course a fantastic location with hostels and the top attractions at your doorstep. But you might prefer the Ruzafa neighborhood which borders the old town and can even be seen as an extension of the old town with plenty of hip cafés and trendy bars. There is also a lot of cool street art in this area.
If you are planning a beach vacation to Valencia, I recommend staying in Cabanyal, a relaxing and colorful area by the beach with plenty of restaurants and bars. There is excellent public transportation into the City of Arts and Sciences and the old town and if you decide to stay out late, it is affordable with an Uber too.
Here are some great picks for those looking for accessible hotel rooms:
BUDGET
Hostal Antigua Morellana
HOSTAL ANTIGUA MORELLANA - Conveniently situated in the Ciutat Vella (City Center) part of València, this property puts you close to attractions and interesting dining options.
Mid-Range
Hotel Primus Valencia
HOTEL PRIMUS VALÈNCIA - Conveniently situated in the Camins al Grau part of València, this property puts you close to attractions and interesting dining options.
Luxury
Hotel Las Arena Balneario Resort
HOTEL LAS ARENAS BALNEARIO RESORT - … Located in the Poblats Maritims part of València this 5-star resort offers a stunning pool and puts you close to major attractions.
The Westin Valencia
THE WESTIN VALENCIA - Conveniently situated in the El Pla del Real part of València, this 5-star property puts you close to attractions and interesting dining options.
Caro Hotel
CARO HOTEL - A 5-star property strategically situated in Ciutat Vella (City Center), allowing you access and proximity to local attractions and sites.
Best Time To Visit Valencia
Valencia is a great destination to visit all year round, with mild, sunny winters and hot summers. If you are planning a beach vacation, I recommend either going in summer or early fall.
September and even October are great beach months without the crowds and the temperatures are usually a bit milder than in the hottest summer months, though you easily can get 30ºC (86 degrees Fahrenheit) throughout September. There are also several foodie and music festivals extending the summer vibes far into the fall.
Over the winter months, you can experience varied daytime temperatures, cool nights, and more rain than the rest of the year but plenty of holiday cheer. From Christmas and the famous Reyes parades on the 5th and 6th of January to Carnival in February, there are plenty of festivities to experience.
Spring is welcomed with the famous Fallas Festival in March, Semana Santa parades during Easter Week, and warmer temperatures. It is still a bit too cold to go swimming, but I see tourists swimming even in winter, so you might think differently than me.
In the summer, you can join the locals in celebrating the Feria de Valencia and several music festivals. This is also a fabulous time to head inland to explore waterfalls and refreshing swimming holes.
Best Things To Do In València Spain For Solo Travelers
The first thing to do when arriving in Valencia alone is to join a guided walking tour of the historic center. This way you can get an introduction to the city, and it is easier to navigate by yourself afterward. Besides, you might even meet other travelers to hang out with for the rest of your trip, so you don’t need to navigate the city alone. Either way, it is a good start on any city break.
Most walking tours go past the main attractions like Valencia Cathedral and the Silk Exchange so you can easily find back to visit them inside.
Accessibility: There are wheelchair-accessible walking tours of Valencia as well as a wheelchair-accessible tuk-tuk tour, for those who wish to avoid walking altogether.
2. Step Inside Valencia Cathedral
Valencia Cathedral is one of the must-see attractions in the city. It is stunningly beautiful both on the outside and inside with a fabulous fusion of baroque, gothic, and Renaissance architecture. It is said that Valencia Cathedral is home to the actual Holy Grail that Jesus used in the Last Supper. To learn all about it, make sure you listen to the audio guide you get at the entrance.
For the best views, you can climb the 207 steps to the bell tower where you will see the city’s rooftops and the Plaza de la Virgen square below.
Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible tours of Valencia Cathedral are available.
3. Visit The City Of Arts And Sciences
The City of Arts and Sciences is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Válencia and even if you don’t want to visit the museums, it is worth going for a stroll around the recreational area around the futuristic buildings. It is really pretty with its waterscapes and unique avant-garde architecture. If you can only visit one of the sites, I recommend the Science Museum, where you can enjoy learning about science in a fun and interactive way. Alternatively, there is a cool free, outdoor astronomy museum which is fun and also fully interactive.
You can also visit Oceanogràfic, Europe's biggest aquarium. It’s home to seven different marine environments, and almost 45,000 specimens of 500 different species can be seen, such as dolphins, belugas, walruses, sea lions, seals, penguins, and sharks.
The City of Arts and Sciences has become one of the most photographed places in Valencia and I’m sure you will enjoy taking pictures of the different buildings.
Accessibility: The museums and aquarium are fully wheelchair-accessible and offer visual and auditory aids for those with low vision or hearing impairments. You can purchase a combo ticket to see the Science Museum, the L'Oceanogràfic aquarium, and the Hemisferic.
4. Enjoy The Beaches
Valencia is home to beautiful beaches that make for perfect relaxing days with a book in the sun. In fact, the beaches are some of the top Valencia attractions. From the Cabanyal neighborhood, you can get to Arenas Beach, this is also the closest to the city at only a 15-20 minute bus or tram ride. The beach has sunbeds and parasols for hire and there are plenty of beach bars where you can eat and grab a cold drink whenever you feel like it. You can also explore other beaches nearby like Malvarossa Beach, Saler Beach, and Patacona Beach.
Accessibility: Pinedo Pueblo Beach and La Malvarrosa Beach each have a buoy chair available for wheelchair users at Medical Station 1, and El Cabanyal Beach has one available at Medical Station 2. These three beaches also have special assistance programs for bathing in the sea during the summer tourist season, available at those same medical stations. Pinedo Pueblo’s program runs from June 27th to August 31st, 11 AM to 7 PM, and La Malvarrosa’s is the same. Since El Cabanyal is Valencia’s main beach, their program runs longer — from June 13th to September 7th, during the same hours.
5. Visit The La Lonja de La Seda Or Silk Exchange
La Lonja de La Seda, or the Silk Exchange as it is known in English, dates back to the 15th century when Valencia’s silk trade was prospering. It is a stunning gothic structure which I highly recommend visiting with a guide to learn more about the site and its history. The Silk Exchange has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996 and one of the top things to see in Valencia.
Accessibility: The exchange can be reached by using an electric lift located on the side of the building. Unfortunately, you will have to send someone inside to notify the lift operator.
6. Take A Day Trip To Cueva del Turche Waterfall
If you need a nature fix, Cueva del Turche waterfall is the perfect summer escapade. You can take the train to Buñol town (where the Tomatina Festival is held the last Wednesday in August, just in case you feel like joining the world’s largest tomato fight!) and walk straight from the village in half an hour to reach the most picturesque waterfall and swimming hole.
Bring your bathing suit and go swimming in the emerald green water and make sure you bring a lunch pack to enjoy on one of the picnic tables. If you feel adventurous, you can take on a longer round hike, Ruta del Agua, which also includes the Charco del Mañan and Cueva de las Palomas, two other spectacular waterfalls and swimming spots, but this requires good hiking shoes as there is some steep scrambling and slippery soil to conquer. It is well-frequented on the weekends, and if you follow a hiking route on the Wikiloc app, you won’t get lost.
If you’re yearning for more nature, Albufera Natural Park is another great day trip from Valencia located just 10 km from the city and accessible via bus lines 24 and 25.
Accessibility: It's possible to go to Cueva del Turcha Waterfall in a wheelchair. The path from the parking lot is a dirt road but it's flat. The path is a very easy 5-minute walk to the waterfall. The other falls and swimming holes, unfortunately, require some more strenuous hiking along paths not suitable for wheelchairs.
7. Go On The Lookout For Cool Valencia Street Art
Throughout the city, you can find some incredible street art, especially in the Ruzafa and El Carmen neighborhoods which have some cool, colorful pieces well worth seeing. Some of the artists worth mentioning are Dridali and Hyuro, but if you want to learn more about the art, artists, and the meaning behind the artwork, make sure you join a guided street art walking tour or cycling tour.
This is a great way to explore Valencia a bit off the beaten path.
Accessibility: There are amazing wheelchair-accessible street art tours like the one linked below.
8. Take A Bike Tour
One of the best ways to see Valencia, especially if you need a break from walking or you just visit for a day, is to join a bike tour of Valencia. There are plenty of different bike tours to choose from depending on what you want to see. The most common are tours of the old town and the City of Arts and Sciences, but some take you all the way to the beach, and yet others are themed like Street Art Tours.
If you choose a tour that takes you to the City of Arts and Sciences, you will cycle through the Turia Park which is absolutely stunning and the largest (and longest) park in Valencia and they usually stop by several attractions on the way, so they are not strenuous in any way and even suitable for teens.
Conclusion: Traveling To Valencia Alone
So, is Valencia worth visiting for solo travelers? With so much to do and see no matter what your preferences, Valencia has something to offer. It is a lively city with plenty of opportunities to connect with other travelers as well as it is a safe place to retreat and spend time by yourself if that is what you need.
