- Three provinces - Castellón, Valencia and Alicante
- Alicante and Valencia airports both have many UK routes
- Las Fallas in Valencia runs from 15 to 19 March
- Paella was born in the rice fields around the Albufera
- Airports
- Valencia (VLC), Alicante (ALC) or Castellón (CDT)
- Best time to go
- April-June and September-October
- Type
- Region
The Valencian Community stretches along Spain's east coast from the Ebro delta almost to Murcia. It is one of the most visited regions for UK holidaymakers thanks to the Costa Blanca, but it also offers one of Spain's best city breaks in Valencia, medieval hill towns, orange groves and rugged mountains just inland from the beaches.
Whether you want a lively resort, a quiet cove, a food-focused city trip or a road trip through castle villages, there is something here. The region has its own language, Valencian (a form of Catalan), seen on signs alongside Spanish. For the wider country, see our Spain guide.
The three provinces
- Castellón – the northern province, with the castle town of Peñíscola, the Costa del Azahar and the walled mountain town of Morella.
- Valencia – the regional capital and province, with the City of Arts and Sciences, the Albufera lagoon and beaches such as Cullera and Gandia.
- Alicante – the southern province and home of the Costa Blanca, including Benidorm, Altea, Jávea and Dénia.
Things to do in the Valencian Community
- Valencia city – the Turia gardens, the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences, the Central Market and the cathedral, said to hold a Holy Grail.
- Paella at the Albufera – eat paella valenciana in El Palmar, then take a boat on the lagoon at sunset.
- Las Fallas – Valencia's March festival of giant satirical sculptures, fireworks and the final night of burning.
- Costa Blanca beaches – from high-rise Benidorm to the whitewashed hilltop town of Altea and the coves of Jávea.
- Peñíscola – an old town on a rocky headland crowned by a Templar castle.
- Morella – a walled medieval town high in the mountains of inland Castellón.
- Elche's Palmeral – a UNESCO-listed palm grove with origins in the Islamic period.
- Guadalest and Xàtiva – a dramatic clifftop castle village inland from Benidorm and a historic town with a hilltop fortress south of Valencia.
Where to stay
| Area | Why stay there |
|---|---|
| Valencia city | Culture, food and city beaches |
| Benidorm | Lively resort with every kind of entertainment |
| Altea or Jávea | Quieter, more upmarket Costa Blanca stays |
| Alicante city | Year-round city with a castle and beach |
| Peñíscola | Family beaches and a historic old town in the north |
Getting there
Alicante (ALC) and Valencia (VLC) both have frequent flights from many UK airports. Castellón (CDT) has a smaller number of routes, so check seasonal schedules. High-speed trains link Valencia with Madrid in roughly 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours, and coastal trains and trams connect many towns, including the Alicante tram line to Benidorm and Dénia. A car is handy for inland villages.
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn bring warm, sunny weather without the peak-season crowds. July and August are hot and busy on the coast. Winters are mild, making Alicante and Benidorm popular for winter sun. Las Fallas runs from 15 to 19 March, and La Tomatina, the tomato fight in Buñol, takes place on the last Wednesday of August.
In Valencia, paella is traditionally a lunchtime dish. Order it for lunch at a restaurant that cooks it to order rather than in the evening.
Top attractions in Valencian Community
LandmarkAlhambra
A hilltop palace-fortress of carved stucco, tiled courtyards and water gardens, the Alhambra is the high point of…
LandmarkPark Güell
Gaudí's hillside park of mosaic benches, gingerbread-style lodges and a famous dragon, with sweeping views over…
MuseumPrado Museum
One of the world's great art museums, the Prado holds Spain's royal collection, from Velázquez's Las Meninas to Goya's…
LandmarkReal Alcázar
A dazzling Mudéjar palace and gardens in the heart of Seville, still used by the Spanish royal family and famous as the…
LandmarkSagrada Família
Gaudí's unfinished basilica, with its forest-like nave and glowing stained glass, is Barcelona's must-book sight.
NatureSerra de Tramuntana
A UNESCO-listed mountain range of stone villages, olive terraces and hairpin roads along Mallorca's north-west coast.
Valencian Community on the map
Frequently asked questions
Which airport should I fly into for the Valencian Community?
Alicante for the Costa Blanca and Benidorm, Valencia for the city and central coast, and Castellón or Valencia for Peñíscola and the north.
Is the Valencian Community the same as Valencia?
Not quite. Valencia is a city and a province; the Valencian Community is the wider region that also includes the provinces of Alicante and Castellón.
Is the Costa Blanca good in winter?
Yes. It is one of the mildest parts of mainland Spain, with many sunny days, though the sea is too cool for most swimmers.
What language is spoken in the Valencian Community?
Spanish and Valencian are both official. Everyone speaks Spanish, and English is widely spoken in the main resorts.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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