car hire valencia
Pick up your hire car at Valencia airport and head for fiesta, not siesta, in this hot Spanish city. Book car hire valencia now
the 60-second guide to Valencia
in its own head
"Looking for a bona-fide Spanish city that combines cultural and historical heritage with a stunning beach? Then look no further than Valencia - we invented paella for God's sake!"
but more realistically
Yes, Valencia really does have it all, and while it's northerly neighbour Barcelona might steal some of its thunder, there's no shortage of tourists who leave the city smitten with its spirit.
the vibe
Valencia is renowned for its nightlife, but if you don't want to partake you'll find peace and quiet around the airy plazas and palm-fringed streets.
the natives
The locals are open, friendly and proud of Valencia. They don't have the tourist-fatigue of other popular European cities and you'll be made welcome.
the weather
Valencia gets 300 days of sunshine a year, which is almost greedy. Even in winter daytime temperatures rarely drop below 15 degrees.
the local speciality
Valencia claims to be the birthplace of the paella and locals swear by the quality of the local rice. Other dishes to try include arroz a banda (rice, fish and sweet potato) and arroz al forn (rice baked in the oven with sausages and potato).
the celebrity
Former world number one tennis player and winner of the 2003 French Open Juan Carlos Ferrero hails from Valencia.
did you know?
After the city flooded in 1957 the Turia River was re-routed through the western and southern suburbs. Hence the river-shaped park that now runs through the centre of Valencia.
they say
"Valencia is not another Spanish city." - www.valenciavalencia.com
5 to see in town...
- 1. Plaza Ayuntamiento
- 2. Plaza del Mercado
- 3. Torres de Serranos
- 4. La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
- 5. Monasterio San Miguel de los Reyes
A beautiful square awash with big shiny buildings and a fountain, this is a decent spot to sit back and people watch.
where to park?
You can to park in the metered bays on nearby streets for €1.30 for two hours.
5 to see in town...
- 1. Plaza Ayuntamiento
- 2. Plaza del Mercado
- 3. Torres de Serranos
- 4. La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
- 5. Monasterio San Miguel de los Reyes
Another square, defined by the Iglesia de Santos Juanes, a big old Gothic church.
where to park?
There is an underground car park just under the market. Come in from Plaza Ciudad de Brujas - it will cost you €2.50 an hour.
5 to see in town...
- 1.Plaza Ayuntamiento
- 2. Plaza del Mercado
- 3. Torres de Serranos
- 4. La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
- 5. Monasterio San Miguel de los Reyes
Once the main entrance to the city, this looks like something you'd see in Monty Python and The Holy Grail. With big impressive towers, it has a 14th century vibe.
where to park?
The Carmen area is old and not easy to park at all, so it's better to leave you hire car in Plaza de Tetuan for €2.65 an hour. Torres de Serranos is just a stroll away.
5 to see in town...
- 1. Plaza Ayuntamiento
- 2. Plaza del Mercado
- 3. Torres de Serranos
- 4. La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
- 5. Monasterio San Miguel de los Reyes
This impressively modern complex is home to a world of fun, including a planetarium and an activity-packed science museum for the kids.
where to park?
The leisure complex has its own huge car park. It will cost you €1.80 for one hour or €20 for the whole day.
5 to see in town...
- 1. Plaza Ayuntamiento
- 2. Plaza del Mercado
- 3. Torres de Serranos
- 4. La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
- 5. Monasterio San Miguel de los Reyes
Would you believe it, this wonderful monastery dares to mix a sumptuous Renaissance facade with Baroque columns! See this architectural recklessness for yourself.
where to park?
The monastery has got its own car park where you can leave your hire car.
and 4 to drive to...
Here you can have fun at the Segobriga Water Park or take in some culture at the Segorbe cathedral. It still has the old executioner tower - the cathedral, that is, not the water park.
how to get there?
It should take around 50 minutes to drive to Segorbe. Head north on the V-21 and branch north-west onto the A-23.
and 4 to drive to...
Head for the pretty vineyards in Requena and pick up a nice bottle of Utiel Requena, a tasty red wine which is the speciality of the region.
how to get there?
Take the A3/E901 west out of Valencia. It should take just under an hour to get to Requena.
and 4 to drive to...
The smell of history is in the air in this ancient city that's dominated by an imposing hilltop castle.
how to get there?
Take the V-23 north towards Sagunto. It should only take half an hour to get there.
and 4 to drive to...
With year-round sunshine it'd be criminal not to enjoy the beaches of Valencia. El Saler, with its white sand and clear blue water, is regarded as the best.
how to get there?
It's a 15-minute drive south to El Saler beach. Take the CV-500 out of Valencia.
ask a Valencia cabbie!
Local taxi driver Gregorio Aviles on car hire Valencia: "It's great to have a hire car if you want to visit some areas around the city, or you want to go to the beach or the countryside. If you're on the highways, though, keep to the speed limit because they are full of radars. The traffic in this city is quite calm; you'll find it easy to drive in. There are underground car parks situated in Plaza de la Reina and El Corte Ingles, both good places to leave your hire car and go for a walk. Just one more tip: if you come for the Las Fallas festival in March be aware that around 300 streets are closed!"