Is Valencia good for beaches?

Yes, uniquely so for a major city. Malvarrosa (and the adjoining Las Arenas and El Cabanyal beaches) is a wide, clean, golden city beach with a long promenade, easily reached by tram lines 4 and 6 or by bike along the Turia.

How do I get to Malvarrosa beach from the centre?

The simplest way is tram line 4 or 6 to the seafront, about 20-25 minutes. You can also cycle down the Turia Gardens to the sea, or take a city bus. A taxi from the old town is quick and inexpensive.

What is the Albufera and is it worth visiting?

The Albufera is a vast freshwater lagoon and rice-growing wetland about 20 minutes south of the city, the source of paella's rice. It's well worth a half-day for a sunset boat trip and an authentic paella lunch in the village of El Palmar.

Valencia's Beaches & Seafront: Malvarrosa & Beyond

Valencia's Beaches & Seafront

Valencia is rare among great Spanish cities in having a broad, easy-to-reach city beach plus a wild lagoon on its doorstep. Whether you want sand and a paella by the sea, a photogenic old fishing quarter, or a sunset on the water, here is the best of the coast, all a short tram, bike, or bus ride from the centre.

Nature

Malvarrosa Beach (Platja de la Malva-rosa)

The city's wide golden beach, backed by a palm-lined promenade and seafood restaurants, easy to reach by tram or bike.

Seafront, east of the centre via tram or bus

Street

El Cabanyal

The former fishermen's quarter behind the beach, a grid of vivid tiled houses now buzzing with markets and bodegas.

Seaside quarter between the centre and the beach

3Must visit

Restaurant5.0

Casa Carmela

Wood-fired paella by the beach: the most revered place to eat the city's signature dish near the sand.

Malva-rosa

Restaurant4.0

La Pepica

The historic 1898 seafront restaurant on the Malvarrosa promenade, for classic rices with a sea view.

Cabanyal-Canyamelar

5Must visit

Bar5.0

Casa Montaña

A historic Cabanyal bodega for outstanding tapas and wine after a day on the sand.

Cabanyal-Canyamelar

Experience€25-45

Albufera Natural Park Boat Trip & El Palmar

Just south of the beaches, a freshwater lagoon and rice paddies famous for a glorious sunset boat ride.

Albufera lagoon, El Palmar (about 20 minutes south of the city)Half day (4-5 hours with transport)

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FAQ

Is Valencia good for beaches?: Yes, uniquely so for a major city. Malvarrosa (and the adjoining Las Arenas and El Cabanyal beaches) is a wide, clean, golden city beach with a long promenade, easily reached by tram lines 4 and 6 or by bike along the Turia.
How do I get to Malvarrosa beach from the centre?: The simplest way is tram line 4 or 6 to the seafront, about 20-25 minutes. You can also cycle down the Turia Gardens to the sea, or take a city bus. A taxi from the old town is quick and inexpensive.
What is the Albufera and is it worth visiting?: The Albufera is a vast freshwater lagoon and rice-growing wetland about 20 minutes south of the city, the source of paella's rice. It's well worth a half-day for a sunset boat trip and an authentic paella lunch in the village of El Palmar.

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