Valencia may be known for its many historic attractions, but it also has several beautiful beaches relatively close to the city center. So with a visit to Valencia, you won’t have to choose between the two.
On this page, I’ve written a comprehensive guide to Valencia’s city beaches, covering things to do, where to eat, and where to stay. This should give you a good idea of what you to expect from this area.
About Valencia’s City Beaches
Valencia’s city beaches are located only about 5km away from Valencia’s bustling city center. Here, I’ll introduce the 4 beaches that are perfect for a day out by the ocean, without heading out too far.
Playa de Las Arenas
Also known as “Platja de Llevant”, this beach is the beginning of a long, wide stretch of sand that includes 2 other beaches as well – Malvarrosa and Patacona.
Las Arenas is one of Valencia’s liveliest beaches. Activities on the beach include windsurfing, sailing and SUP paddling. Plus you can go cycling or go rollerblading at the promenade along it, where you’ll also find some yummy restaurants.
Playa de la Malvarrosa
Walking north along Las Arenas Beach will lead you to Playa de la Malvarrosa, a popular beach with a bit of history. It was named after mallow roses, a type of flower that used to grow on the beach, and its beauty has inspired artists and novelists like Joaquín Sorolla and Vicente Blasco Ibáñez.
Now, Malvarrosa is still popular as a quieter alternative to Las Arenas. In the summer you’ll find many people lounging on sunbeds and swimming in the pleasantly warm waters, which reach around 27°C. You can check temperatures for the rest of the year here.
If you’d like to check out the weather or the crowd situation at Malvarrosa before making the trip there, you can get a sneak peek via a livestream of the beach here.
Playa de la Patacona
Further north from Malvarrosa is Playa de la Patacona. Behind the waterfront you’ll find beautiful traditional houses that have since been converted to restaurants, so there are good options for food.
The beach here is the quietest of the stretch, but just as wide as Malvarrosa and Las Arenas before it. This means you’ll have plenty of space to lounge around with your family, even in the peak summer season.
Playa de Pinedo
On the south side of Valencia is Playa de Pinedo, separated from the beaches above by the city’s harbor. It’s named after the fishing and farming village of Pinedo, and is visited mostly by locals. There are a small number of restaurants there, and for the more adventurous – you’ll also find a nudist section.
Things to Do At or Near the Beaches
Although Valencia’s city beaches don’t cover a large area, there’s still plenty to do, whether you’re a beach bum or someone looking to get active and explore.
Here, I list 6 things to do so that you’ll have a good idea about what’s there in order to build a fun itinerary.
Beach Bumming
Kick back, relax, take a swim and take in the beauty of Valencia’s city beaches. In the peak summer season, you’ll easily find sunbeds for rent at Las Arenas and Malvarrosa. Although, it does get busy quite quickly, so you’ll have to arrive before 12pm to score a sunbed.
Enjoy Good Food & Play Volleyball at BeachBol
While beach bumming is relaxing, a bit of exercise can be great fun too. Head to BeachBol, a beach bar at the start of Malvarrosa Beach for beach volleyball matches. You can also enjoy yummy fruit shakes, mojitos, coffee, sandwiches or focaccia there 🙂
Explore the Beaches by Bike
If you’re keen to explore the areas around the beaches, consider renting a bicycle or electric scooter from Beach Bikes Valencia, a rental shop located between El Cabanyal and Malvarrosa.
Run by friendly owner Chris, the bikes can be booked online prior to your arrival, or on the spot. You can also rent extras like a handy phone holder, and also download free cycling routes via an app for ideas on where to go!
Join a Paddle Surfing Class
One of the watersports you can try at the beach is paddle surfing. For lessons and gear rental, check out Suplife Valencia, located in La Marina Real next to Las Arenas. They offer surfing, paddle surfing and kitesurfing courses and trips in Spanish and English, for all skill levels.
Stroll Through El Cabanyal, the Beach Side Neighborhood
Just behind the Las Arenas beach is El Cabanyal, Valencia’s old fisherman’s quarter. This area is especially famous for its photogenic traditional houses covered in colorful ceramic tiles, in all sorts of combinations. The market here is also worth a visit, for fresh seafood, meat and vegetables.
Visit the City of Arts and Sciences
Just a 10-minute taxi ride away from Las Arenas is one of Valencia’s main attractions, the City of Arts and Sciences, or Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. It’s a group of 6 futuristic buildings that house Europe’s biggest aquarium, a digital 3D cinema, opera house, and interactive science museum.
There’s plenty to do there and definitely worth a visit, so remember to allocate at least half a day to have fun wandering around!
The Best Restaurants & Must-Eat Foods
There are plenty of restaurants along the shores of Las Arenas, Malvarossa and Patacona, serving everything from the usual pizza to local specialties like Valencian paella.
Here, I describe 3 of the best places for food along Valencia’s city beaches, where you can taste some of the most popular dishes – paella, tapas and horchata with fartons.
Paella at Casa Carmela
One of Spain’s most well-loved dishes is paella, which has its roots in Valencia. Traditional Valencian paella includes chicken, rabbit and garrafó beans, but other versions using seafood, or mixed meat and fish, are also popular.
A good place for paella is Casa Carmela, just a short walk away from Malvarrosa beach. It’s very popular with tourists and locals alike, so it’s best to make reservations to secure a table. If you want to try the traditional Valencian paella, you’ll have to make a booking in advance too!
Tapas at La Otra Parte
Another popular Spanish dish in Valencia is tapas. Head to La Otra Parte, just a little walk from Las Arenas beach, for a wide selection of delicious, good-sized tapas. Some popular tapas you can try there include grilled squid, tuna tartare, artichokes and sardines.
They have a good wine selection as well, so I do recommend you pair your tapas with some 🙂
Horchata & Fartons at Orxateria Sol i Mar
Horchata is a refreshing, vegan milk drink that originated from Valencia. It’s usually served with fartons, which are a type of sweet, light and fluffy bread glazed with sugar. It’s a popular snack to refuel with after a long day of sightseeing!!!
A good place to try horchata and fartons is Orxateria Sol i Mar, a short walk away from the northern end of Malvarrosa beach. Horchata is no doubt the must-try there, but milkshakes, ice creams and waffles are also available, so there’s something for everyone.
Where to Stay, from Budget to Luxury
If you’re looking for beachfront resorts to maximize your time at Valencia’s beaches, here are some great choices worth considering at Las Arenas beach. To help you decide where to stay, I’ve listed a few accommodations near the beach, based on budget.
Budget: Hostal Balcon Al Mar
Hostal Balcon Al Mar is a basic, no-frills hotel converted from a 19th century building located at the Valencia port area. It’s a leisurely 20-minute walk to Las Arenas beach, and is also located close to bus stops which will take you into the city center.
You won’t have to miss out on views, as some rooms at the hotel have balconies with beautiful views overlooking the Valencia port. The hotel also provides free breakfast on the first day, and charged at just 3 euro per person for subsequent days.
Mid-range: Hotel Neptuno
Hotel Neptuno is a stylish, modern hotel located at the beginning of the Las Arenas promenade, near the port. Many of the rooms have beautiful views of the sea, while suites in particular have their own private terraces with a jacuzzi and outdoor shower.
Even if you don’t book a suite, you can still enjoy a leisurely afternoon on the hotel’s rooftop terrace with sunbeds and jacuzzi, open to all guests. The hotel also has an in-house restaurant and seafront lounge bar, where you can sip a cocktail while enjoying ocean views.
Luxury: Las Arenas Balneario Resort
Las Arenas Balneario Resort is the only five-star hotel in Valencia with direct access to the beach. Rooms here are spacious and decorated in an elegant, classic style, with many of them providing views of the sea.
The hotel has a large pool with plenty of sunbeds and towels, as well as a kiddie pool for the little ones. There’s also an in-house spa offering many different treatments, and even includes an indoor/outdoor jacuzzi, a professional hair salon, and fitness studio.
How to Get There from the Old Town/City Center
There are three ways to get to Las Arenas, Malvarrosa and Patacona. By bus, metro or taxi. Between these three, the bus is the most economical option, while the taxi is the most convenient.
By Bus
From the city center, you can take bus lines 1, 2, 19, 31 or 32 to get to Las Arenas. A one-way bus ride costs 1.50 EUR, and the journey will take around 20 minutes.
By Metro
From the city center, you can take the Green Line, L5 metro to the Maritim Serreria station. Then, switch to the tram line and stop at the Mediterrani tram stop, next to the parking area behind Las Arenas. The journey takes less than 30 minutes, and costs between 2-4 EUR.
By Taxi
A one-way trip from the city center to the beaches will take around 20 minutes, and cost roughly 10 EUR.
Valencia Beach Map
Conclusion & Summary
Valencia’s city beaches are easy to get to, making it a great way to enjoy a historic city and beautiful golden sands in the same trip.
There, you can take your pick of lively or quiet beaches depending on your travel style, and go from admiring traditional architecture of El Cabanyal to marveling at the futuristic structures of the City of Science in just a short drive.
It’s also easy to spend your whole vacation at the beach, as there are good accommodation choices for all budgets nearby. With a large variety of restaurants along the beach promenade, you’ll also be spoilt for choice trying traditional Valencian cuisine and desserts.
Hope this helps you make the most out of your visit to Valencia 🙂