In this guide, I’m sharing 30 fun and worthwhile Valencia activities for first-time visitors–from top attractions and local food experiences to beach spots and hidden gems.

4. El Cabanyal / Beach El Cabanyal is a good option if your main priority is spending time at the beach, but I wouldn’t recommend staying here if it’s your first visit to Valencia.

If you're going on holiday to Valencia, a treat is in store. The charming, innovative and youthful city is often overshadowed by Spain 's bigger metropolises – Madrid and Barcelona – but they fade ...

An image posted on social media on June 8, 2025, by the local administration in Guardamar de la Safor, in southern Valencia, Spain, shows an unknown white material littering a local beach.

Spain’s Valencia region, one of Europe’s most popular beach destinations, is cracking down on short-term vacation rentals as officials nationwide grapple with growing anger over mass tourism.

Mainland Spain offers a unique breed of urban beaches, with low-key surf communities, coastal restaurants and sea-facing old towns. Here are six of the best for your next break.