Valencia is the third largest city in Spain and it’s often skipped for the more popular cities of Barcelona & Madrid. However, it is getting more and more attractive these days for expats and digital nomads alike, and for good reasons!
Valencia is a fun, laid-back and historic city, with loads to do and see, and boasting more than 300 days of sun and great weather. I’ve been living in Valencia for more than 4 years now and it has become a very special place for me.
In this guide, I’ll share with you tips and recommendations for your digital nomad travel to Valencia, Spain. Let's dive in!
Where is Valencia located?
Valencia is located on the eastern coast of Spain, along the Mediterranean coast which is called “Costa del Azahar”. The sunny city is situated about 350 km to the south of Barcelona, and the same distance from Madrid, which means driving to both cities takes around 3 hours.
Living in Valencia as a Digital Nomad: The Pros and Cons
Why You'll Love Valencia
With its captivating blend of old and new, Valencia encapsulates the best of Mediterranean living. This vibrant Spanish city offers digital nomads and remote workers many advantages:
1. 300 days of sunshine a year
Valencia has a crazy amount of sunny days - it’s hard to find a sunnier destination! It only rains a few weeks a year and the weather is dry and pleasant most of the time. It does get pretty hot in summertime, and especially in August, so be sure to pack your sunscreen then.
2. A friendly and relaxed vibe
Unlike Barcelona or Madrid, Valencia radiates a super relaxing vibe, while still having all the amenities that a city offers. Personally, I love that you’ve got a big stretch of beach in the city, the amazing Turia Park that stretches all around the city, and a cool city center with loads of sights to see. Locals are very friendly too and many expats and digital nomads populate the city.
3. Affordable compared to Barcelona and Madrid
Compared to the other bigger cities in Spain, Valencia is still very much affordable. Food is quite cheap as well and you can rent an apartment for around €700-€1500 a month, depending on the size and the neighbourhood, of course.
4. A vibrant nomad and remote work community
As Valencia is getting more and more popular, more digital nomads and remote workers are flocking to the city, so you will find a vibrant community of like-minded individuals here. I have managed to find a great group of friends fairly quickly, as it’s so easy to connect with other people.
The Potential Downsides of Valencia
Though Valencia is a great destination overall, digital nomads should also be aware of a few potential drawbacks:
1. Prices are rising
Because of the recent boom in popularity, Valencia is seeing a significant increase in the cost of living - similar to what happened in Barcelona and Lisbon. The prices are not quite at the same level yet, but it is slowly getting there, which is evident by the rising accommodation costs. In the 4 years we’ve lived here our rent price has probably increased by at least 40%, which I find rather worrying.
2. Summer is too hot and too touristy
If you want to visit Valencia in the summer months of July and August, beware that it can get very hot, and as locals flock out of the city to escape the heat, you will mostly encounter many tourists during this time of the year. Many shops and restaurants also close in August.
Now that we got the pros and cons out of the way, let's look at some actual tips for you to live and work remotely from Valencia, shall we?
How to get to Valencia
Valencia is a popular destination within Europe, so you can find many cheap flights from the main airports in Europe. Internationally, however, it is a bit less well-connected, as you will need to fly into Madrid or Barcelona more often than not.
It is, however, easy to get to Valencia by train from either Madrid or Barcelona with the high-speed train, which takes around 2 hours to get to both cities.
Transportations and How to Get Around
It’s super easy to get around in Valencia. There is an excellent public transportation system: metros, trams and buses. You can also quickly get around by bike, motorbike or even by walking since the city isn’t too massive. What’s more, taxis are very cheap too, so you won’t have any trouble getting around. I usually walk around everywhere as everything is so close. And if I feel lazy I take the metro!
Best Accommodation Options in Valencia
For Longer Term Stay
If you are planning to stay in Valencia for a while and at least for a couple of months, then renting an apartment or a house via Airbnb, Spotahome, or Idealista will probably be your best bet. You can choose between studios and 1 or more bedroom apartments. When I first came to Valencia, I stayed in a flat via Spotahome for one month, and it was pretty easy and convenient.
For Short Term Stay
If you’re planning to stay short term, then hotels or hostels are the more convenient choice. For an affordable stay, there is Cantagua Hostel, located in the hip neighborhood of Russafa. For a more boutique stay, try YOURS Hotel which is also located in Russafa.
Coliving Spaces
To get a sense of community, there are also a few coliving options in Valencia. There is Vivarium, which is centrally located and organises many workshops and events.
Another coliving is Urban Campus, which is situated in the Ayora area, located close to the beach area. They have various studios available at different price levels and they organise various social events such as BBQ’s, interactive workshops and even movie nights.
Finally, there is also My Coliving, which offers more luxurious apartments in Valencia, and also organises all sorts of social events to connect with likeminded individuals during your stay.
Best Areas to stay in Valencia
Russafa: The Hipster Neighbourhood
One of the most popular neighborhoods in Valencia is Russafa, which is the area just north of the city center. It's a very trendy neighborhood and also one of my personal favourites, where you can find many great cafes and restaurants. There’s also a few coworking spaces here as well as a cool food market (Mercado de Russafa). And for vintage clothing shopping, this is the place to be in Valencia!
Gran Via: The Posh Neighbourhood
Gran Via is probably the most posh area in Valencia and also the priciest one. However, it is a gorgeous place, and located right next to the city centre, Turia Park, Russafa, as well as the famous City of Arts and Sciences Museum.
Cabanyal: The Beach Lovers Area
Cabanyal is a quaint neighbourhood that is located next to Playa de las Arenas, and about a 15 minute drive from the city centre. It’s a rustic and local area that is growing in popularity. If you love to be close to the beach, this is definitely the place to be.
El Carmen: For History Buffs
One of Valencia’s oldest and most historic neighbourhood, El Carmen is located right in the city centre. It’s filled with cute and winding streets and alleys, street art and excellent restaurants and bars. On Sunday mornings, I used to love to wander around the old streets here and get a coffee and breakfast at one of its many cafes.
Benimaclet: For the Student Life
Benimaclet used to be a standalone village outside of Valencia, but as the city grew, it slowly became part of the city. It's a cute little neighborhood, popular among students for its nightlife.
Mestalla: Another Fancy Neighbourhood
Mestalla is a somewhat newer and a bit fancier area, as can be seen by the gorgeous buildings. The football stadium of the Valencian team is located here, so if you want to watch a game or two, then this is the place to be.
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Internet Connectivity in Valencia
Having a stable internet connection is key for digital nomads anywhere, and luckily Valencia offers good connectivity options. Beyond your accommodation, the many cafés and coworking spaces around the city provide reliable places to work remotely from.
For more independence, you may want your own internet connection using a portable WiFi device, a local SIM card or an eSIM.
Pre-Paid Local SIM Cards for Spain
Major Spanish carriers like Movistar, Orange, and Vodafone offer tourist SIM cards. You can often find them at phone shops or kiosks in the airport or around the city.
eSIM Plans for Spain
Alternatively, you can purchase an eSIM before arriving in Spain and activate it instantly when you land. eSIMs are digital SIM cards that download directly to compatible smartphones. Pretty cool, right?
In my experience, the most reliable eSIM providers for Spain are Holafly and Airalo. Below you can find the data allowances for each provider and the different plans.
Holafly eSIM Plans for Spain
| Validity | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Days | Unlimited data with calls | $19,00 |
| 7 Days | Unlimited data with calls | $27,00 |
| 10 Days | Unlimited data with calls | $34,00 |
| 15 Days | Unlimited data with calls | $47,00 |
| 20 Days | Unlimited data with calls | $54,00 |
| 30 Days | Unlimited data with calls | $64,00 |
| 60 Days | Unlimited data with calls | $87,00 |
| 90 Days | Unlimited data with calls | $99,00 |
Holafly also offers a wide range of Europe eSIM plans that could be useful if you plan to travel to multiple European countries in one trip. If you'd like to know more, read the article below:
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Airalo eSIM Plans for Spain
| Validity | Data | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Days | 1 GB | $4,50 |
| 15 Days | 2 GB | $6,50 |
| 30 Days | 3 GB | $8,50 |
| 30 Days | 5 GB | $11,50 |
| 30 Days | 10 GB | $18,00 |
| 30 Days | 20 GB | $26,00 |
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Best Places to Work from in Valencia
There are a few nice coworking spaces in Valencia and a couple of great cafes to work from.
Here are a few coworking options:
- Wayco Coworking - Wayco is a very popular coworking space. There are three locations in Valencia: one is located in the city center, one is located in Russafa and another in Cabanyal (near the beach)
- Flying Bean Coffee Workspace - This one is also a really great specialty coffee place!
- Vortex Playa and Vortex Centro - The Vortex coworking spaces have an excellent beachside location at Vortex Playa and a central spot at Vortex Centro. Both are known for their great facilities, strong sense of community, and range of workspaces to meet different needs.
Here’s some of my favourite cafes to work from:
- Casa Fran - This is where I usually go to work from, located in the El Carmen neighbourhood. The coffee is excellent and they also have some breakfast dishes and pastries.
- East Crema Coffee - A specialty coffee chain, which makes decent coffee, and it’s also a nice and quiet place to do a little work. It’s right in the city centre, so it’s also very conveniently situated.
- Federal Cafe - A brunch cafe that has some decent brunch dishes. It’s a good place to work from as it’s quite a big cafe, so there are enough spots to work from and you won’t feel like you’re imposing too much.
Cost of Living in Valencia
Accommodation Costs
Valencia is still relatively cheap compared to other places in Europe. You can get a 1-bedroom apartment for €800-€1200 a month. This might be more expensive if you go for a rental on Airbnb, for example. When staying at hotels or similar, the nightly rate is usually around €70-€130, depending on the type of hotel of course.
Eating Out and Restaurant Costs
Eating out is also fairly cheap in Valencia. You can get a nice meal at a decent, mid-range restaurant for €20-€30 per person. For a more fancy place, expect to dish out around €40-€60.
Grocery Costs
Spain is one of the few countries that wasn’t super affected by the recent gas price rise, so groceries are quite affordable, especially compared to Northern European countries for instance.
- A litre of milk is €1.00
- Half a dozen eggs are around €2.00
- Bread (500 gr) is around €1.50
Fruit and vegetables are super affordable here too, especially seasonal ones, such as tomatoes in the summer, oranges in the winter etc. You can find the cheapest prices often at the fresh markets.
Coffee and Alcohol prices
A coffee costs around €1.50, a specialty coffee around €2.50. Alcohol is also cheap; a glass of wine will cost around €3 and beer about €1 to €3.
Fuel Costs
One litre of gas in Valencia costs about €1.64.
Gym Membership costs
A basic gym membership (for example at Basic Fit, which has multiple locations in the city) will cost you around €30, so it’s fairly cheap.
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Culture, Nature and Food in Valencia
Culture in Valencia
There’s a lot to see and do when it comes to culture in Valencia. This city was founded in 138 BC by the Romans, so just by walking around the old town you will see how old the city really is. Especially in the old town (“Ciutat Vella”), which includes the El Carmen, El Botanic and La Xerea areas.
If you visit in March, you will find yourself in the midst of the Fallas Festival, which is the epitome of Valencian Culture. Not only will you see the ninots, which are intricate and big statues made out of different materials such as papier-mache, but you will also witness the strange obsession Valencians have with fireworks and firecrackers for three weeks straight. It is definitely a very cultural experience!
Other than that, you will of course experience the typical Spanish and Mediterranean culture by the beach, which includes beers, wine and tapas, as well as late-night dinners.
Nature in Valencia
Valencia is surrounded by a lot of nature and parks, easily accessible by both car and train. If you’re into hiking, you must visit Chulilla and hike the famous “Hanging Bridges Route”, which takes you (you guessed it) across several hanging bridges and spectacular nature and river views.
Close to Valencia, you also have “Albufera Park”, which is a natural reserve where you can bike, hike and can even row on the lake there. If you’re also a bird watcher, then this is definitely the place to be, as you can find many different bird species here, including flamingoes!
Surrounding the city of Valencia, the amazing “Turia Park” is a massive green area which is where I would usually go for a run or a bike ride.
Food in Valencia
There is a lot of fantastic food in Valencia; in fact, there are 8 Michelin-starred restaurants in the city! For a city with under a million people, that’s quite a lot.
Here are some of my recommendations where to get amazing food in Valencia:
Local restaurants
- Raro Restaurante - An amazing Spanish Fusion restaurant that I highly recommend you try. It’s a bit on the higher end of dining, but because food in general is pretty affordable in Valencia, fancier restaurants are actually more affordable than elsewhere. Definitely one of my favourites, here in Valencia.
- La Sastreria - This fish restaurant is located in Cabanyal and they make some of the best fish dishes I’ve ever tried. Also the decor inside is super pretty.
- Casa Carmela - For authentic Paella, visit this restaurant close to the beach in Valencia. They have been making Paella for 100 years, in the traditional way. If you want to eat the famous Valencia Paella, make sure to order in advance.
- ALENAR Bodega - A cute little tapas bar is located right in the city and they serve great wine with fresh tapas dishes.
- Canalla Bistro by Ricard Camarena - Another Spanish fusion restaurant is this bistro located in Russafa. The restaurant is owned by Spanish star chef Ricard Camarena.
International restaurants
- Kukla - To get your middle eastern food fix, check out this restaurant, which serves some of the best hummus I’ve ever tried. Also try the aubergine fries and the falafel - so delicious!
- Damura Ramen - For me, this is where you can find the best ramen in Valencia. They also have some great bao’s and gyoza's.
- La Taula de Yoon - If you like Korean food, try this place which is run by a Korean-Spanish couple. They make some amazing Korean dumplings as well as Korean barbecue meats.
- Hundred Burger - If you’re craving burgers, then this burger place has some really amazing burgers, as well as some of the best sweet potato fries I’ve ever tried.
- FOUR Specialty Coffee & Bistro - For the best brunch in Valencia, go to this little cafe, which serves tasty brunch dishes and top notch specialty coffee.
- Osteria vino e cucina - For outstanding Italian food, try this little restaurant, which you can find right next to the Russafa Market. They serve some really amazing ragù as well as a delicious cold cut and cheese platters, that you can pair with some great Italian wine.
Best Time to Visit Valencia
Valencia has beautiful weather most of the time, so you can’t really go wrong any time of the year.
Spring and Fall: The Absolute Best Times to Visit
The best time to visit Valencia is from April to June and then from September to January. This is the period when temperatures are warm, but not too hot, and days are sunny, and it’s not too crowded, so it’s perfect to stroll around the city. This is the time when I try to be in Valencia as much as possible because the weather is just so beautiful!
Winter: Best for Escaping Cold Weather
Winter in Valencia is pretty mild if you come from colder regions. There is still plenty of sun and while the temperature dips to around 5-10°C (40-50°F) at night; during the day it can reach up to 18-20°C (65-70°F). It’s also very quiet in terms of tourists, so it’s generally a great time to visit.
Summer: If You Like Hot Weather
July and August are very hot and humid months, as it is consistently 30-40°C (85-105°F), also during the night. Locals actually leave town during August, and many shops and restaurants actually close for the whole month. However, it’s a great time to visit if you love water sports and being near the beach. Just know that it can be very crowded on the beach and in the city during these high-season months!
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11 Things to Do in Valencia
1. Meander around the old streets in the city centre
The best thing to do to discover the old city is just to meander through the old streets and discover one of the oldest cities in Europe by foot. You can check out the Cathedral of Valencia, and the Plaza del Virgen square. Afterwards, walk through the old neighbourhood of El Carmen and check out the old towers: Torre de Serrano and Torre de Quart.
2. Hit up the beach
Of course, a visit to Valencia wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the beach! You can hit up the closest part of the beach to the city, called Malvarrossa, and lounge by the sea, play beach Volleyball or do some stand-up paddling.
3. Take a stroll in the Turia Park
The Turia Park is a huge green area that stretches all around the city, and it’s also where the old river used to be. The city has turned it into a lovely park that is 30 km (19 milkes) long and it’s a great place to do exercise, such as running or biking. You can follow the park all the way from the Biopark to the City of Arts and Sciences and beyond.
4. Visit the City of Arts and Sciences
The City of Arts and Sciences is a series of buildings situated in the southern part of the Turia Park, designed by architect Santiago Calatrava. The buildings are a sight to behold and their modern architecture is a fascinating juxtaposition to the old city centre of Valencia. Some of the buildings are a museum, a concert hall and an aquarium.
5. Buy snacks at the Central Market
The Mercado Central is located literally in the middle of the city in a beautiful building and here you can find all sorts of food and snacks. Even though you will definitely see a lot of tourists roaming around, there are also many locals doing their grocery shopping here. Try a bocadillo at the famous Central Bar and of course, buy some jamon (Spanish ham) at one of the many stands in the market. I often go here for a specialty coffee and to get a loaf of sourdough bread at Le Roi Bakery.
6. Eat paella
Obviously, you need to try Paella in the city where Paella originated from! The famous Valencian Paella is made with rabbit, beans and snails. Make sure to go to a good, local-approved, Paella place such as Casa Carmela or Alqueria del Pou.
7. Do some vintage shopping in Russafa
Russafa is a very hipstery area as you can see from the multitude of vintage shops and trendy cafes and bars. Enjoy a flat white at Los Picos cafe and then check out cool stores like Gnomo and Lale by Aieclé. Don’t forget to take a peek in the Russafa market and try a pastry at Blackbird Cafe, which is a personal favourite.
8. Watch a football match at Mestalla
If you love football, then watching a game in the Mestalla stadium is a fun thing to do in Valencia. Depending on which team Valencia is playing against, tickets are pretty affordable and make for a fun night out.
9. Day trip to Denia, Javea or Altea
Valencia is an awesome city of course, but there are also many cute towns surrounding the city. Denia, Javea and Altea are gorgeous towns that make for a great day or weekend trip. You can rent a car and drive to these towns in around an hour.
10. Botanical gardens
The Botanical Gardens in Valencia are a nice getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city, as you can totally immerse yourself in the tranquil setting of these beautiful gardens. As I used to live close to these gardens, I would often go there after work to take a stroll and immerse myself in nature for half an hour or so.
11. Check out the museums
Valencia is home to a few museums like the famous Art Modern Institute Museum. I also reccommend visiting the Ceramics Museum, located in a very intricate and historic building, and the Museum of Fine Arts, where you can find all sorts of artworks and admission is free.
Visa Requirements and Digital Nomad Visa Spain
Short term stays
If you’re planning to stay in Valencia for just a few weeks or months, then you can simply stay on a Tourist Visa, which allows you to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days. This applies to residents from many countries, including the US, Canada and Australia.
Long term stays
Spain recently introduced a Digital Nomad Visa offering non-EU citizens employed by companies outside Spain the opportunity to stay long-term.
If you'd like to know more about Spain's Digital Nomad Visa, read the article below:
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Is Valencia Safe?
Valencia is a pretty safe city as there is a low crime rate overall. However, there is some pickpocketing going on, so always stay vigilant, especially in the city centre and the more popular areas. Personally, I have been living there for more than four years and have always felt safe walking alone at night in the city as a woman.
Ready to Make Valencia Your Next Nomad Destination?
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We'll see you there, Freaking Nomads!
About the Author: Nina Hoeberichts
Nina is a part-time digital nomad from the Netherlands and currently based in Valencia, Spain. She has been traveling all her life, and since the last 6 years, she’s been combining her remote job with travel. On her blog, thingsnomadsdo.com, she blogs about digital nomad travel tips, the remote working lifestyle and food and coffee recommendations. Follow her on Instagram to discover where she’s traveling currently or discover her music on Spotify!
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