With an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, Valencia is a sun-drenched delight. Come spring, it’s warm enough to spend long lazy lunches on sun-splashed terrazas and enjoy blissful days at the beach, yet not too hot to enjoy cycling and strolling around the city and its surrounding areas. It’s also the time of year when the best festivals take place, including the city’s biggest – Las Fallas.
Mild temperatures make Valencia's climate ideal for active individuals. In the spring, there are numerous restorative activities to enjoy, such as cycling on the city's many routes, exploring Albufera Natural Park, or hiking in Parque Natural de la Sierra Calderona. The warm temperatures in Valencia are perfect for those who love outdoor adventures. During this season, the average temperatures range from 13C in March to 18C in May, with highs between 19C and 24C. Additionally, another reason why Valencia is a delightful destination in the spring is that the city maintains its charm.
Valencia in the spring: why it’s so special
In spring, you’ll enjoy the warm sun cascading down on the streets of Valencia, bathing everything in that blissful honey-glow hue. Perfect for springtime strolls through Turia Gardens or sampling local delights on restaurant terraces on balmy evenings, Valencia offers a splash of spring sun combined with cosmopolitan city appeal.
A city of terraces
Valencia’s wonderful springtime climate is made for savouring the great outdoors. The city is awash with wonderful terraces serving dishes made from fresh, locally sourced produce. Valencia’s best terrace restaurants offer spectacular views of the sparkling Mediterranean and the surrounding countryside.
What to do in the spring months
The season for fragrant flowers blooming and epic hikes, Valencia comes alive in the spring as the local population heads back outdoors. Here are some of the best things to do in Valencia in spring.
Local festivities
Holy week in Valencia
As the temperatures increase, the city holds Semana Santa, a significant religious event with festivities such as street processions honouring the Passion of Christ. The week culminates in a grand parade called Corpus Christi, which has been a tradition for almost 1,000 years.
Mostra de Proava Gourmet festival
Wine lovers should head to the Mostra de Proava in early April, a gourmet festival showcasing the Valencian Community’s best wines, cheeses, sausages, beers and
additional sweets.
San Juan Festival in Valencia
Spring is sent off with a bang, quite literally, through the San Juan celebration on the summer solstice. This event is a lively gathering of enjoyment, camaraderie, and fire - a truly unique experience along the coast of the Valencia region.
Hiking in Valencia
This is the time of year to savour wild spring flowers, nearby hills and long winding hiking routes. Some of the best include Charco azul de Chulilla o the the Agua de Buñol trail, which takes in farmland and forest along the Buñol River, past an enigmatic cave and gushing 60-foot waterfall, and the Pantaneros Trail which captures the best of the Los Calderones Municipal Natural Area.
Biking in Valencia
Spring is perfect for exploring the coast along scenic beaches out to El Saler and the l'Albufera Nature Park, where flat landscapes and incredible views make for a paradise for cyclists. It’s also the ideal time of year for taking a peaceful ride through Turia park or Gardens.
Making the most of the great outdoors
Valencia in spring is a time to basque in sublime weather and glorious surroundings. From blissful picnics in Turia Gardens to lazy days on one of the city’s many idyllic beaches, from strolling around El Cabanyal to savouring local delights at outdoor food festivals, there’s always an outdoor treat on offer in spring.
From chic and cosy lodgings in the Ciutat Vella (Old Town) to sublime seafront boutiques, here are five great hotels for your winter getaway in Valencia.
A historic, luxury hotel in the popular Cabanyal beach district, Las Arenas is one of the top hotels in Valencia – a sprawling resort-style stay offering a wide range of rooms, from grand suites with sweeping sea views to deluxe family rooms.
The epitome of old-world luxury, the Westin Valencia is a short stroll from the Turia Gardens. A hotel that’s been graced by the stars, including the likes of Hugh Laurie and George Clooney, it blends Modernist and Art Deco glamour for a unique yet distinctly Valencian character. Explore the Westin
An elegant 19th-century palace, a former residence of the city’s nobility, this opulent hotel boasts an unbeatable location, impeccable Art Deco style and a rooftop bar that makes the perfect setting for a sundowner in the heart of the Old Town.
Another Art Deco delight, this grand palatial hotel is situated in Calle Colón at the heart of one of Valencia’s best shopping districts. Warm blues, vivid greens and subtle greys create a relaxing ambience, while the Kamikaze Terrace Sky Bar, one of the best rooftop bars in the city, is a must for evening cocktails. Explore NH Collection Colon
A glamorous five-star boutique hotel in Valencia’s enchanting Old Town, Only YOU combines elegance and comfort for one of the city’s most sublime city centre retreats. Spacious rooms are infused with understated Mediterranean style, bathed in natural light, while the shimmering rooftop pool affords mesmerising views of the city and beyond.
Best places to eat in Valencia
Great for coffee
Valencia’s coolest district, the multicultural neighbourhood of Ruzafa, has a whole host of quality coffee shops. Nestled among the bright Modernista buildings, you’ll find the likes of La Mas Bonita with its vintage seaside vibe and amazing homemade cakes, Blackbird with its speciality coffees and sensational cinnamon rolls, and Bluebell, with its leafy courtyard and young creative crowd.
Al fresco eats
Overlooking Patacona Beach, Mimar is one of the top restaurants in Valencia for paella. The interiors are all crisp whites and natural wood decor, while the terrace is perfect for sea views and an invigorating Mediterranean breeze.
Or, overlooking the marina, Duna Puerto offers excellent seafood and rice dishes, while Atic Alameda serves up delicious fusion food in a vibrant rooftop setting looking at the turia park.
Head to the brand new Mercader, an industrial chic food market in Cabanyal with a large courtyard garden, for local and international gourmet delights.
Savour traditional Valencian paella and seafood dishes at Alqueria del Pou, a spacious, whitewashed farmhouse, while La Maritima offers excellent paellas and elaborate tapas dishes with sweeping views over the harbour.
For decadent brunch delights overlooking the sea, check out La Mas Bonita Patacona Beach, while Mikkonos Beach Club offers classic Mediterranean cuisine with a lush seaside ambience.
Vibrant evenings
Cabanyal’s La Sastreria combines fresh local produce, innovative preparation and precision cooking to offer excellent seafood dishes in a funky, contemporary setting. Meanwhile, Bodega Anyora brings old-school Valencian conviviality with a delicious twist, serving up sensational local favourites such as chuletón de tomate rosa and wonderful homemade vermouth.
Apotheke serves delicious bites and classic cocktails in a 1920s speakeasy-inspired setting, while the Mercado de la Imprenta is the perfect showcase for the city’s traditional gastronomic offering, with a maze of market stalls and throng of locals providing an intriguing slice of everyday Valencian life.
Another of the city’s emblematic markets, the Colon Market offers authentic Valencian drinking spots, with a buzzy ambience well past midnight.
Discover the wonders of Valencia in the spring
With its temperate climate, packed events schedule, and sublime sunshine, Valencia is the perfect place to visit during the spring. Whether soaking up the sun and sampling local delicacies on a beachside terrace, or exploring the natural beauty of the surrounding natural parks, this Mediterranean city offers one of the best spring holidays in Spain.
Discover more Valencia city breaks with our guide to delightful Denia.