Where to Stay in Valencia (Best Areas & Places)

6 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Valencia

Valencia is Spain’s third-largest city behind Madrid and Barcelona. Don’t let its size intimidate you, though. The city is very well-organized and getting around is a breeze whether you have a vehicle or not. It’s really a matter of deciding which neighborhood’s vibe you like best.

Ruzafa

👉 Best Area For Central Location & Amazing Food | ✨ Best Ruzafa Hotels: Soho Valencia • YOURS Boutique Stay • Petit Palace Ruzafa • City Garden Bed and Breakfast

Every major city has a neighborhood known for being the ‘cool’ place – an area with an inexplicably chic and artsy aura to it. In Valencia, that neighborhood is Ruzafa.

This district is routinely described as one of the cutest areas in Valencia. Walking around the streets, you’ll start to get a sense of why it’s garnished that reputation. Ruzafa is the type of place where you don’t need intense planning to enjoy it. Just wandering into whimsical cafes or trying the delicious local cuisine will leave you fulfilled.

On the weekdays, check out the fare at the local Mercado de Ruzafa. On the weekends, get a feel for Ruzafa’s laidback bar scene at spots like Cuatro Monos and Olhöps. 

You could spend all your time in Ruzafa without ever getting bored, but it also happens to be very well-located. It’s right in the heart of Valencia and close to other neighborhoods. So, the best things to do in Valencia are all at your fingertips.  

Check out Petit Palace Ruzafa for a boutique hotel experience in Ruzafa. It’s our overall pick for a hotel in Valencia as it’s highly rated, has an excellent location, and features things like a terrace and family rooms.

Pros of Staying in Ruzafa Neighborhood:

• Trendy atmosphere
• Plenty of amazing restaurants to choose from
• Cute cafes
• Great location in the city center 

Cons of Staying in Ruzafa Neighborhood:

• Populated area
• Can get noisy, especially at night on the weekends

El Carmen

👉 Best Area For Nightlife | ✨ Best El Carmen Hotels: Valencia Home • Flats Piera Valencia • Mon Suites Carmen

Spain is notorious for its dynamic nightlife scene and Valencia upholds that prestige. Stay in the neighborhood of El Carmen for the best parties that Valencia has to offer. This bustling district is located about a little over 2 miles north of Ruzafa in the city center. 

Even though it’s a little outside the main heart of the city, you won’t need to go anywhere else to find Valencia’s nightlife. Much of it is right here in El Carmen.

You’ll never run out of bars and clubs to frequent, such as La Flama and Immortal. The best part is, that they’re all fairly different from one another. There are traditional Spanish watering holes, modern lounges, and even jazz bars. 

The only snag to staying in El Carmen is that all this partying can come with a cost. It’s very touristy around El Carmen and it can get kind of rowdy. Additionally, it’s more difficult to find Valencia hotels around this area. There are way more apartments available, like this one. But that’s the price you pay for trying to stay in such a popular part of Valencia!

Pros of Staying in El Carmen Neighborhood:

• Offers a bunch of great bars and clubs
• Many attractions nearby 
• Walking distance to Ciutat Vella neighborhood 
• Lovely architecture all around
• Many apartments available 

Cons of Staying in El Carmen Neighborhood:

• Very touristy area 
• Not many hotels are available 

Ciutat Vella (The Old Town)

👉 Best Area For Tourist Attractions | ✨ Best Ciutat Vella Hotels: Only YOU Hotel Valencia • Venecia Plaza Centro • Hostal Antigua Morellana • Macflats Ayuntamiento

For first-time visitors in the market to see all of Valencia’s major attractions, staying in Ciutat Vella is your answer. This neighborhood is considered Valencia’s historic Old Town and there are a ton of interesting things to see. 

For starters, there’s the emblematic 95-year-old Central Market of Valencia right in the heart of the Old Town. This market is a must-see for any visitor to Valencia, new or old. For locals, it might even be a daily stop. 

Then there are the city’s historical attractions, like the Valencia Cathedral and La Lonja de la Seda. As you walk around this neighborhood, you’ll probably come across tons of other historic buildings of the Old Town, too. 

The nice thing about staying in a well-known neighborhood is that there are lots of places to stay at a variety of price points. That’s true for Valencia’s Old Town. The highest rated, and best located, hotel in Old Town has go to to be Only YOU Hotel Valencia. It has over 6,000 rave reviews, and some seriously massive suites.

Groups and families, meanwhile, should check out the spacious apartment-style suites at Macflats Ayuntamiento.

On a budget? Check out Venecia Plaza Centro or Hostal Antigua Morellana, more affordable alternatives.

A drawback of Ciutat Vella is that it’s made this area one of the most popular places to stay in Valencia. It gets crowded, especially during the summer. Parking is also nearly impossible, which is something to consider before booking a place if you’re planning to rent a car (though that’s not really necessary for Valencia).

Pros of Staying in Ciutat Vella Neighborhood:

• Valencia’s famed Old Town
• Tons of nightlife around
• Lots of historic attractions and gorgeous architecture around 
• Easy to find a stylish hotel or a budget hotel 
• Accommodations available for a range of prices 

Cons of Staying in Ciutat Vella Neighborhood:

• A busy and loud area
• Not very much nature around 
• Narrow streets, make it difficult to drive or park

El Cabanyal

👉 Best Area For Beachside Relaxation | ✨ Best El Cabanyal Hotels: Las Arenas Balneario Resort • Dau Studios • Reina 107 Beach Boutique • Lindala

For travelers who feel more at home near the beach, check out the Valencia neighborhood of El Cabanyal. This area of Valencia is right along the coastline so no matter where you go, you’ll only be a short walk away from the beach. This is a big item in the pro column. 

There are several beaches in Valencia. Three of the nicest are right near the El Cabanyal neighborhood – Llevant, Cabanyal, and Malvarrosa beaches. These stretches of sandy beach are spacious, clean, and lined with tasty seafood restaurants. 

The best and largest hotel by far here is the stunning Las Arenas Balneario Resort. It’s an absolutely beautiful historic 5 star property right on the beach that connects directly to the boardwalk. The property is super unique and will make you feel like you’re staying in a Valencian palace!

Besides the fact that El Cabanyal offers visitors an idyllic beachside location, it’s also a peaceful area in general. You can avoid the tourist crowds at some of Valencia’s other centrally-located neighborhoods, like Ciutat Vella and El Carmen. 

However, it is very far from the city center. So, if you want to stay in the beachy paradise of El Cabanyal, you’ll need to take rideshares or public transportation.

Pros of Staying in El Cabanyal Neighborhood:

• Very close to Valencia’s beaches 
• Not super crowded 
• Good food
• Cute boutique hotels 
• Excellent location for a beach holiday or city break 

Cons of Staying in El Cabanyal Neighborhood:

• Far from other neighborhoods in the city center 
• Not that many attractions around besides the beach

Mestalla

👉 Best Area For Sports & Green Spaces | ✨ Best Mestalla Hotels: The Westin Valencia • Ramirez Flats Valencia

Mestalla is separated from the Old Town by the Jardín del Turia (Turia Gardens), the long skinny park that snakes through central Valencia. The neighborhood is also popular with students, as it’s near a university campus. 

On most days, the neighborhood is a quieter alternative for those who want to be near the action but not in the middle of the noise. However, Mestalla absolutely comes alive when there is a football match at Camp de Mestalla, where the city’s team Valencia CF plays. If you’re visiting for a Valencia CF match, Mestalla is where it’s at. 

The best hotel in Mestalla, by far, is the Westin Valencia. The 5 star hotel is situated in a gorgeous historic building, with rooms wrapping around a tranquil garden in the center courtyard. Some suites have terraces with private jacuzzis. 

When I stayed here, I found the service impeccable, enjoyed the massive breakfast buffet, and the modern gym and pool. I also loved walking across the flower-covered pedestrian bridge that connects the area to Old Town. Oh, and it’s home to SeaBar, one of the best cocktail bars in Valencia (they even mix seafood with their drinks – yeah, it’s interesting). 

-Nate 

Pros of Staying in Mestalla:

• Quieter more local vibe, but still central to Old Town
• Tons of adjacent green space 
• Neighborhood comes alive when Valencia CF plays 

Cons of Staying in Mestalla:

• Not as many restaurants immediately in the area (though many accessible across the bridge)
• Only a handful of hotels here 

Benimaclet

👉 Best Area For Chill, Quiet Vibes | ✨ Best Benimaclet Hotels: Hotel Olympia Universidades • Welcome Valencia Benimaclet

If you need somewhere to stay in Valencia that’s calm, quiet, and even residential, look no further than Benimaclet. This neighborhood is the perfect place for people who need somewhere laidback to feel comfortable. 

Even though it’s a lot tamer than neighborhoods around the city center, don’t get it confused. This neighborhood isn’t dull at all. There are lots of places to go out to eat and a surprisingly long list of bars to try out. 

While Benimaclet is outside all the action, it’s not so far removed that it’s a hassle to get to this area. There is plenty of public transportation around this neighborhood that will take you right into the heart of Valencia. 

Hotel Olympia Universidades is a good, family-friendly hotel choice in Benimaclet. This being said, don’t expect a ton of hotel options in this area in general, as it’s mainly a residential neighborhood. If you want to stay in Benimaclet, you’ll likely have to opt for an apartment rental or guest suite like this one.

There are also very few tourist attractions around the area, but that can be kind of a good thing as it keeps the crowds away. 

Pros of Staying in Benimaclet Neighborhood:

• Residential, quiet area
• Family-friendly 
• Still pretty close to major neighborhoods
• Lots of great restaurants and even bars 

Cons of Staying in Benimaclet Neighborhood:

• Very few hotels to choose from 
• Not many attractions nearby 
• Far from the city center 

Tips for Staying in Valencia

Pick the Best Season to Visit Valencia For You

The sunny, picturesque trip to Spain you’re envisioning in your head won’t happen unless you visit Spain during the right season. 

In the winter, it rains a lot and the temperature rarely gets higher than 60 ℉. It’s not all bad, though. The months from December to March are also the cheapest times to visit Valencia. Take the time to figure out what season is best for you, but make sure to adjust your Spain packing list accordingly.

🖨️ Get a free, printable version of our Spain packing list here!

Eat Paella Where it Originated

The delicious, seafood rice dish of Paella originated in Valencia. Nobody makes it quite like this beautiful city, so you don’t want to miss out! Grab at least a pan (or three) of Paella before leaving Valencia. It’s the best place in Spain to try the dish!

Remember, it’s traditionally served at lunch, though – not dinner. For more, check out my Valencia restaurant guide.

Take a Day Trip From Valencia

One of the best ways to travel in Spain effectively is by staying in a major city, like Valencia, and then going off on day trips. There are tons of nearby day trips from Valencia, too. Including Albufera, Montanejos, and Sagunto. All are less than an hour away from Valencia on public transport. 

Check Out the Beaches in Valencia

Take advantage of Valencia’s optimal location right on the coast. There are a couple of beaches in Valencia to lounge on during your trip, such as La Malvarrosa Beach and El Cabanyal Beach. 

Rent a Bike to Get Around Valencia

Consider renting a bike for a bit of exercise and an efficient way to get around Valencia. It’s a great way to see all the sites and attractions in Valencia.

There are cycling lanes covering the city and going into some of its parks. Additionally, there are tons of places to rent bicycles around Valencia. 

The city has its own bikes called Valenbisi. There are currently 275 different stations to pick up these city bikes and drop them back off when you’re done. There are also a bunch of private rental companies, like Doyoubike Rental and The Easy Way Valencia. 

FAQs

What is the best part of Valencia to stay in?

Ciutat Vella, also known as the city’s Old Town, is the best part of Valencia to stay for the average visitor. This area is home to many of the city’s top attractions and it’s perfectly located right between a bunch of Valencia’s other best neighborhoods. Including El Carmen and Ruzafa. 

Is Valencia a walkable city?

Valencia is a very walkable city if you’re staying in the city center. Many of Valencia’s top tourist attractions and neighborhoods are within walking distance of each other. The ones that are a bit too far to walk to can be reached on the city’s public transportation.

How far is Valencia Old Town to the beach?

Valencia’s Old Town is only 30 minutes away from the beach by car. If you take public transportation from the Old Town to the beach, it will take around 10 minutes longer. It’s even a walkable distance technically. It would take around an hour and 15 minutes to make the journey. 

What are the best neighborhoods in Valencia?

The best neighborhoods in Valencia are Ruzafa and Ciutat Vella. These neighborhoods are located right in the center of the city. Most of the things to see, do, and eat are all walkable, which is very convenient on a limited trip. 

🖨️ Get a free, printable version of my Spain itinerary here.

***

Which neighborhood will you stay in Valencia? Let us know in the comments!

Now keep planning for Valencia with my guide to the best things to do in Valencia.

(Featured Image Credit: Allen.G / Shutterstock)

–Nate Hake contributed to this guide