Traveling in Spain, many tourists visit Madrid, Barcelona and undeservedly ignore Valencia. The city with no less ancient history and even greater historical heritage will present many fascinating moments, coloring the tour in bright colors of joy, surprise, delight and excitement. The city is very large, so where to stay in Valencia you need to choose carefully and competently. There are many hotels and guesthouses here, but they are all scattered in different areas of the town, often confusing tourists.
Valencia is located on the Mediterranean coast, so the city is conditionally divided into the part that is suitable for beach holidays and areas for excursions and other tourist activities. Combining both will not work, since it is too far to get from the beaches to the center, and there are not so many interesting places along the coast to amuse the curiosity of guests.
If you have come with clear intentions to spend most of your holiday in sightseeing hikes and walks, you should give preference to the old city. Valencia was under the rule of the Romans, was a colony of the Greeks, survived the rule of the Moors, and there really is something to admire and something to ponder over. Medieval gates, walls and buildings coexist with 19th century architecture, many neighborhoods flaunt Art Nouveau houses, and some streets are filled with Gothic spiers and arches. With such an abundance, it will be difficult to give preference to a particular area.
Accommodation in Valencia
As for the hotels, in Valencia the prices are somewhat more moderate than in the same Madrid. You can stay in a decent mid-range hotel for 80 €. Economy hotels offer rooms for 25 € and more, although the price is closer to reality at 50-70 €. And in hostels you can spend the night for 10-15 € per person per day. On the coast, prices in hotels are traditionally higher - from 80 €, but for this money it is not easy to find something decent, usually the cost of a room is 100-150 €. In historical districts, and on average in the city, prices in popular hotels are 150-200 €.
Should you try to save money by renting a room without breakfast or other preferences? Of course, if you come for an active holiday and are not going to stay at the hotel. There are thousands of places in the town where you can enjoy breakfast or lunch with gusto.
In addition to classic hotels, Valencia offers another original type of accommodation - inns. This out-of-town accommodation is suitable for either car owners or those who don't plan on spending a lot of time in the city.
You can also stay in Valencia in rented apartments, apartments or whole houses. Prices for apartments are not much higher than in hotels, and sometimes even lower if the object is located far from the center or does not have outstanding conditions, for example, freshly renovated or a large area, luxurious furnishings, etc.
Districts of Valencia
Most of the guests invariably choose the old city as their location. The historic center in Valencia is large and is divided into several more districts, each of which has its own small advantages.
So, the main areas for tourists:
- El Carmen.
- Ciutat Vella (Old City).
- Campanar.
- City of Science and Arts.
- El Cabanyal.
- Eixample.
Carmen
The most popular and favorite area of guests, since it combines excursion, active and bohemian rest. Carmen is considered to be the most partying area of Valencia, although many of its streets are calm and quiet at night. The main attractions, many museums, galleries and theaters are located here.
Central Market is a favorite place of worship for thrifty shopaholics. Narrow medieval streets with a touch of antiquity, paved with cobblestones and paving stones, lead to it.
In El Carmen, you can visit the 12th century monastery, which today houses a museum with a rich exposition. Parts of the fortress walls of the 11th and 14th centuries and the watchtowers built around them are still preserved here. And from the unusual places can be noted the Cat's house with a real cat shelter. The Silk Exchange stands apart, where centuries ago the most valuable fabrics were traded briskly, and today there is no less active museum life.
It is worth noting that Carmen is understood as a large part of the Old City and many other areas are located inside it.
Hotels: Apartahoteles 3Xic, Hotel Adhoc Carmen, HolaHotel Del Carmen, Hospederia del Pilar.
Ciutat Vella (Old Town)
A large area within the historic center, full of luxurious mansions and old-world charm. Best place to stay in Valencia.
The Suite Welle has many spectacular buildings inherited from the modernist era. Here you can visit the Museum of Ceramics, the Cathedral with paintings by Goya and other Renaissance masters, the Church of San Juan del Mercado with old frescoes and paintings. The Serranos fortress gate has been perfectly preserved in the area. Of the later objects, the Government Palace with its painted ceilings and sumptuous reception halls is of interest.
Needless to say, there are a lot of bars, restaurants and clubs in the quarter? Most of Valencia's hotels are located here. In the area, you can freely spend your entire vacation, walking along the old streets and moving from one exposition or cultural monument to another.
It is easy to guess that the area has the highest prices for accommodation. Finding a hotel here for 100 € is a great success. Rooms cost between 150-200 €.
Hotels: MD Design Hotel, Sorolla Centro, Lotelito, Hotel San Lorenzo Boutique, Catalonia Excelsior, Sweet Hotel Continental, Boutique Hotel Creative Rooms, Hotel El Siglo, Hostal Venecia, Alkazar, Vincci Mercat, Melia Plaza Valencia, Vincci Palace, Ayre Hotel Astoria Palace.
Campanar
A very beautiful area, lively with green spaces, alleys, parks, gardens, flower beds. There are many lakes and ponds along which the townspeople walk, peacefully feeding the swans. The best area for living with children, where it is pleasant to return after an active holiday.
In Campanar there is a beautiful large garden and a zoo, restaurants and cafes work right there, in the evenings it is quite quiet and calm.
Hotels: NH Valencia Center, Hotel Kramer, Expo Hotel Valencia, Hotel Turia, Piso Nuevo Centro Habitaciones.
City of Science and Arts
This area is invariably found in all travel forums and guidebooks. It is considered the best place to stay and stay in Valencia, as it has easy access to the beaches and the historic center. And in the quarter itself there are many places that can captivate a tourist.
The "city" is located on the border of the historic center and the sleeping areas, in the valley of the Turia River, which ensured its popularity - from here it is easy to get to many points of Valencia. The City of Science and Arts itself is a grandiose complex of ultra-modern buildings made of glass and concrete. There is a modern oceanarium, a science museum, the Reina Sofia palace, a planetarium, a tropical greenhouse, a cinema and many other fascinating places.
In addition to the complex, the quarter is home to the Museum of Fine Arts, which already displays classic art objects overgrown with the patina of time. There are also the Royal Gardens with alleys, artificial lakes and other beauties.
There are many restaurants and clubs for every income, not to mention hotels, the price range is large, there are many entertainment corners and transport interchanges, so this is one of the most promising places to stay in Valencia.
Hotels: Ilunion Aqua, Hostel Albereda, Primus Valencia, Hotel Valencia Center, NH Valencia Las Ciencias, NH Valencia Las Artes, Rooms Ciencias, Barceló Valencia, Holiday Inn Express Ciudad de las Ciencias.
El Cabanyal
The only beach area close to the center is only half an hour away by metro, which, given the size of Valencia, is quite a bit. The central city beach of Las Arenas is located here, and therefore it is always crowded and lively here. The quarter is very original, with old houses, among which even the puppet theater is lost.
A large wide sandy beach is equipped with sun loungers and all possible amenities of life, and along the coast there is a beautiful promenade with restaurants, bars and other resort surroundings. A large Ferris wheel rises nearby.
In addition to the beaches, there is something to do - Art Nouveau houses, residential mansions and distinctive shops, street cafes form the backbone of the area. And if you believe the rumors, here you can try real traditional paella. The area can be chosen to save on vacation in the off-season, when prices in coastal hotels drop significantly.
Hotels where you can stay in Valencia: Casa Montan, Casa Paula, Las Arenas Balneario Resort, El Globo, Hostal la Barraca, Hotel Neptuno, Balcon Al Mar, Hostal Cama del Mar, Urban Youth Hostel, Piso Puerto Habitaciones, NH Ciudad de Valencia …
Eixample
The most prestigious and elite area of Valencia. The most famous are the quarters of Gran Via, Russafa and El Pla del Remey.
The area is replete with well-groomed houses painted in bright juicy colors and flower beds that will certainly decorate every street.
Eixample is maximally adapted for life. There are many shops, cafes, parking lots, playgrounds, fitness centers, entertainment complexes, excellent transport links. This is where Valencia's main trade arteries are located. Eixample is home to the main brand boutiques and the most expensive restaurants.
For all the glamor and polish, the area is adjacent to the historical quarters, which attracts tourists. There are many places to stay in Valencia, most of the hotels are of the upmarket brands, however there are many budget guesthouses in the area.
Hotels: Hospes Palau de La Mar, Sohotel Ruzafa, Hotel Dimar, Senator Parque Central Hotel, MD Modern Hotel - Jardines, One Shot Colón 46, B&B Hi Valencia Canovas, Petit Palace Ruzafa, Casa VLC Ruzafa, City Garden Bed and Breakfast, Constitucion Guesthouse, Guest House Ruzafa, Guesthouse Plaza de Toros, Live in Chianti.