Valencia, Spain: What to pack, what to wear, and when to go [2022]

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Traveling to Valencia, Spain? Valencia is the third largest city in Spain, and is known for its beautiful architecture and Mediterranean climate.

If you're planning to go to Valencia, this is some important information about when to go, what to wear, and what to pack.

Contents

About your travel guide

Hi! I'm Dev. I've traveled all over the world and in my travels, I have made many packing lists. In this series, my team and I have compiled the most useful information, as well as things we couldn't live without, to help you plan your trip.

When to go to Valencia, Spain

Valencia can be cold and weary in the winter, and hot in the summer. The best time to go is June, when cafes and outdoor activities are open but not totally busy. See below for details.

Important essentials for Valencia, Spain

Here are some general tips on what to wear in Valencia, as well as several items to remember to pack when traveling there.

IMPORTANT COVID-19 ESSENTIALS

Other health necessities


  • Travel first aid kit

    This one is a excellent kit.


  • Emergency rapid COVID-19 test

    U.S. residents can get them free here. Otherwise, you can buy them here.


  • Emergency motion sickness relief

Don't forget these

 

Activities for Valencia, Spain

Here are some activity recommendations and activity-specific packing tips for Valencia.

There are several awe-inspiring churches in Valencia, such as the Church of San Nicolás. But remember, these are active houses of worship, so it's best to dress conservatively:

Valencia is a cultural mecca, with dozens of excellent museums. The most popular ones are the Museo de Bellas Artes, the Museum of Sciences, and the Museum of History. The Museo de Bellas Artes is a museum of art, and it has a large collection of paintings by Spanish and European artists. The Museum of Sciences has exhibits on everything from physics to dinosaurs. The Museum of History follows the history of Valencia and its surrounding area. If you're going to museums, take:

 

What to wear/what to pack for Valencia, Spain by month

Already know when you're traveling?

January

If you go to Valencia in January, you will notice that it can be cold and dreary. Expect it to rain occasionally. Daytime temperatures are in the low 50s F (mid 10s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

What to do in Valencia in January:

January is a great time to explore Valencia's historic landmarks, enjoy the local cuisine, and shop for bargains after the Christmas rush. At this time of year, it's best to go ice skating after the Christmas rush is over.

After you go ice skating, you can look at the city's Central Market to grab a bite to eat. Once that is done, the city's best holiday circuses will be able to entertain you for the rest of the night. They run from November to February usually.

If you can handle the cold, consider a segway tour, where you can explore much of the city riding on your own segway.

February

February is cool and dry with little rain. Temperatures average in the low 60s F (high 10s C) during the day.

What to wear/what to pack:

What to do in Valencia in February:

February is not a time to go to the beach -- you'll be spending a lot of time indoors. In the morning check out one of the great museums, like the Museum of Fine Arts. After the museum, try a tapas bar tour, where you can drink and eat the best beverages and cuisine that the city has to offer. After the tapas tour, check out the nightlife at the Mya Club.

On a warmer day, a great way to see the city is the Valencia City Sights bike tour.  And don't forget to check out the Valencia Gardens.

Also consider touring the city in a tuk tuk, where you see the historical sites of the city, as well as see the local cuisine.

March

March in Valencia is balmy and dry with little rain. The average overnight temperatures in the area are in the 40s F (single digits C). There are exciting events this month, the largest of which is Falles.

What to wear/what to pack:

What to do in Valencia in March:

In March, Valencia celebrates the Falles Festival. One of the main attractions of the Falles Festival is the fireworks display that you should check out at night. The festival is usually done to celebrate the arrival of Spring and to commemorate Saint Joseph.

March is also a good time to enjoy the artwork of the city. Take a stroll around the Cabecera Park and see the beautiful flower displays.  After having a bite to eat in the Valencia downtown, do go to the Palate Restaurant.

If you are ready to brave a bit of cold, take an e-bike tour. You can visit the Valencian beach and former Royal Garden, as well as other city landmarks.

April

April in Valencia is balmy. Temperatures average in the high 60s F (low 20s C) during the day. It rains occasionally.

What to wear/what to pack:

What to do in Valencia in April:

In April, the weather starts to heat up, and the best way to soak up the sun is to participate in a bike tour.

Once you have finished the bike tour, you can settle in for the night to eat at the city's prestigious Lia Valencia restaurant. Another nighttime  activity you can do in April is go bowling at Valencia Lanes.

Finally, check out the City of the Arts and Sciences excursion, which lets you see the Oceanographic Park and the City of Arts and Sciences in a single tour.

May

Traveling to Valencia in May, you will notice that it is a perfect temperature. Expect it to rain once in a while. Daytime temperatures are in the 70s F (mid 20s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

What to do in Valencia in May:

May in Valencia is a perfect time to stroll and heat up in the sun. One of the best things to do during this time of year is to see the sights and sounds of the Turia Gardens which is one of Spain's largest urban parks. It is free entry so you don't have to worry about the cost.

After seeing the park, you can also go out and explore the Plaza de la Reina area. It is here where you can find a variety of food and drink options in order to refresh yourself from a long day.

You can end the day by hanging out at The Artist bar in Valencia for some drinks and grub.

Another great activity is a Valencia walking tour, in the excellent warm weather. You will visit many iconic locations in the city.

June

June here is hot and dry with little rain. Temperatures average in the low 80s F (high 20s C) during the day. The cafes and shops are all option, and it's a great time to go to the beach.

What to wear/what to pack:

What to do in Valencia in June:

June is when the Summer season starts in Valencia so head on over the city's Las Arenas beach. It has nice golden sand for you to walk on, as well as the cool water. There are many restaurants and hotels in the area for you to relax afterwards.

Another popular activity you can do at this time of year is go for a ride on the Albufera. You can book a tour to see the birds and enjoy the nice breeze.

You can end the night by seeing the midnight fireworks displays in Turia or by the Marina.

Lastly, book a boat trip. It is a bit on the expensive side, but it's worth it to for the beautiful waters.

July

If you vacation in Valencia during July, you might notice that it is consistently hot and very dry with almost no rain. Temperatures tend to hover around the 80s F (low 30s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the high 60s F (low 10s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

What to do in Valencia in July:

July is the peak summer season and there are tons of activities that you can do in Valencia. One great activity for both kids and adults is visiting the Oceanografic. This is a really great aquarium where you can see real life marine animals.

Another family orientated activity you can do at this time of year is visit Gulliver Park. There are lots of playgrounds for the kids, and you can also see a giant statue of Gulliver himself.

Lastly, to end your July journey you can do a hot springs tour. It's a fun experience for those that like to hang out in the water and explore nice location.

August

If you visit Valencia during August, you may find that it can be sweltering and dry with little rain. Temperatures tend to hover around the high 80s F (low 30s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the high 60s F (low 20s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

What to do in Valencia in August:

August might be the last month of Summer, but there are still tons of fun things that you can experience in Valencia. One thing you can do yourself or with friends is visit the Marina Beach Club. Aside from the ocean blue pools, you can also treat yourself with tons of great cuisine.

This is the best time to take a dip in the Mediterranean Sea. While you're there, you can book windsurf and paddle surf classes with Ocean Republik.

You can also then explore more of the city on a 4x4 tour, an off road tour of the city's forests, mountains and more.

September

September in Valencia is hot. The rain can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the low 70s F (low 20s C) to low 80s F (high 20s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

What to do in Valencia in September:

September marks the start of the Fall season, but there is no shortage of fun things you can do in the city. One great thing you can do is visit the Bioparc Valencia Zoo. You can get really close with the friendly animals, and see tons of wildlife while you are there.

If you get tired walking at the zoo, cool off and have a drink at the Ubik Cafe. This is a nice cafe as well as its own book store too. The place even hosts some live concerts.

Another great September activity is the Caves of San Jose half-day trip. You will stay at a neat hotel as well as explore the Caves with your guide. By boat, you can ride on the many underground rivers.

October

October in this region is warm. Temperatures average in the 70s F (low 20s C) during the day. It rains once in a while.

What to wear/what to pack:

What to do in Valencia in October:

In October, a great way to spend the day is a wine tour. This is a full day tour where you can taste wine and also visit a winery.

Another Fall activity that you can do is take a walk through the Marina of Valencia. Not only can you walk around the docks, but you can also have a drink on the premises too.

One other thing you can visit is the Valencia Cathedral, which you don't want to miss if you are into history.

November

November in Valencia is mild. The rain can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the 60s F (high 10s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

What to do in Valencia in November:

November marks the end of the Fall season, but there is no shortage of fun stuff that you can do in Valencia. If you are a night person, you can do a nightlife tour. You will see the city's clubs and also get some food and drinks while you are at it.

For you more adventurous types, you might want to go white water rafting. It's a relatively affordable activity that even beginners can do.

Lastly, a November activity that you can do in Valencia is visit the historic Torre de los Serranos, from which you can get a full 360 degree view of the city.

December

If you visit Valencia during December, you will probably notice that it can be chilly. Temperatures tend to hover around the low 60s F (mid 10s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 40s F (single digits C). In terms of precipitation, you can expect it to rain occasionally.

What to wear/what to pack:

What to do in Valencia in December:

December marks the Christmas holiday season. One of the things that you can do at this time of year is experience the Valencia Christmas Markets. The streets are loaded with markets where you can buy decorations and eat yummy festive treats.

Another thing you can do is visit the San Nicolas de Bari Church. This church, founded 700 years ago, features many historical paintings and other artifacts.

To end the year in style, celebrate New Year's Eve at the Town Hall. Valencians have a tradition where you have to eat 12 single grapes for each bell strike at midnight.

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