The Valencian Community is Spain’s sunny Mediterranean shore. Its three provinces – Castellón, Valencia and Alicante – line some 500 km of coast with sandy beaches, rocky coves and lively resorts, while inland there are orange groves, rice fields, castles and mountain villages. Valencian and Spanish are both official here.
Why visit the Valencian Community
It combines a great city – Valencia – with the beaches of the Costa Blanca and the Costa del Azahar, more than 300 sunny days a year and a food culture built around rice. It is also the home of the Fallas, one of the world’s most spectacular festivals.
Top places in the Valencian Community
Valencia
Spain’s third city mixes a Gothic old town, the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences, the green Turia Gardens and city beaches. The silk exchange, La Lonja, is a UNESCO site.
Alicante
The capital of the Costa Blanca, with its palm-lined promenade, the Santa Bárbara castle above the sea and an easy-going old quarter.
The Costa Blanca
From Dénia and Jávea to Altea, Calpe with its giant rock and Benidorm, the coast offers everything from quiet coves to big resorts.
Elche
Home to Europe’s largest palm grove, the Palmeral, listed by UNESCO, and the medieval mystery play of Elche.
Peñíscola and Morella
Peñíscola is a walled town on a rock in the sea; inland, Morella is a fortified medieval town crowned by a castle.
Guadalest and the inland valleys
The castle village of Guadalest and the mountains behind the coast are perfect for a day away from the beach.
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn are perfect for sightseeing and the beach. Summer is hot and busy on the coast. Winters are mild and sunny, making the region popular all year. Valencia’s Fallas take place from 15 to 19 March.
Getting to and around the Valencian Community
The region has three airports: Valencia, Alicante–Elche (the busiest) and Castellón. High-speed trains link Valencia and Alicante with Madrid, regional trains run along the coast, and the TRAM connects Alicante with Benidorm and Dénia. A car is handy for the inland villages.
What to eat in the Valencian Community
Paella valenciana (with chicken and rabbit), arroz a banda and other rice dishes, all i pebre (eel stew) from the Albufera, horchata with fartons, turrón from Jijona and plenty of oranges.
Valencian Community FAQ
Where is the Costa Blanca?
It is the coast of the province of Alicante, from Dénia in the north to Pilar de la Horadada in the south.
Is the Valencian Community warm in winter?
Yes, it is one of the mildest parts of mainland Spain in winter, with plenty of sunny days.
