Best time to visit Valencia

The famous Fallas festival runs for five nights, from the 15 to 19 of March, in Valencia city. Expect parades, fireworks and giant pans of paella.
Valencia is pleasant all year round. If you travel in February, you’ll find almond and orange trees coming into blossom. For swimming the sea starts being a pleasant temperature relatively early, and from May it’s lovely and in the autumn it’s at its warmest. If you’d prefer partying to yoga posing, time your visit with a festival – there are lots to choose from, especially in spring and summer. Thanks to the number of fireworks and bonfires throughout the year, you’re far more likely to be showered by sparks than any bad weather.

Valencia Weather Chart

 
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
6
16
32
FEB
7
17
31
MAR
8
19
34
APR
10
20
39
MAY
13
23
32
JUN
17
26
22
JUL
20
30
11
AUG
20
30
20
SEP
18
28
47
OCT
14
24
89
NOV
9
19
57
DEC
7
16
42

Valencia, month by month

Come to Valencia in January and you’ll find it at its coldest. The minimum temperature might be around 6°C, the maximum high is in the mid-teens, and the water temperature is around 15°C. Walking can happen year round in Valencia, but many yoga and wellness retreats close during January. Spain celebrates Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras) with carnivals and Valencia is no different. The festival falls in February or March. Delicate white and pink almond and orange blossom come into bloom in farms and groves throughout the province. The famous Las Fallas de San Jose dominate March in the city of Valencia. A parade of the Ninot Fallas – giant papier-mâché effigies – pass through the streets, to a cacophony of fireworks and festivities. The celebration lasts for days. Mediterranean orchids start to be seen in the valleys – you might spot them in Vall de Laguar or Vall d’Ebo. In March or April is Semana Santa. There are solemn processions through the streets in the week leading up to Easter in many towns in the region. May is a lovely time to hike, with wildflowers blooming among the rocks, but the sun is getting strong, so pack a good hat. Alicante’s famous Bonfires of San Juan starts in June. Grotesque effigies are paraded gleefully through the streets to be burnt and firecrackers keep pedestrians on their toes. July is high summer. The fruit markets in the towns will look more and more tempting when you come to shop for a picnic. Tailor made walking holidays run all through summer, but do factor in the heat and distances before deciding to walk in July or August. August sizzles. This area of Spain can suffer from water shortages in the summer, so use it sparingly – but make sure you’re still staying hydrated if you decide to hike or bike. September is lovely, the water temperature can get to around 25°C and the August resort tourists have gone. It’s great time to stop at the beach. By October the sea is often at its warmest and the weather is generally settled. In November the first of the region’s citrus fruit – clementines – are harvested, just in time to appear in your Christmas stocking. Roll on orange season, which runs all the way through winter. December is turrón time – this delicious nougat is traditionally given at Christmas, and you might be offered it alongside your coffee. Luckily, it’s proved such a hit that you can actually buy it all year around.

Things to do in Valencia

Things to do in Valencia

Explore Valencia city. Even when the streets aren’t being besieged by festivals, there’s a lot to see. An exuberant cathedral, an art noveau indoor market decorated with almost the same reverence as the former, and a UNESCO-listed silk exchange. Jardín del Turia, a long, green park, is a thoroughfare for cyclists, but you could also take public transport out to see Valencia’s modern ‘City of Arts and Science’ held in a futuristic collection of buildings designed by Santiago Calatrava. Why not extend your trip by half a day to see it? Strike a pose – a yoga pose, that is. In 2006 the World Health Organisation recognised the Costa Blanca as one of the healthiest places to live in the world. Several fantastic yoga retreats have established themselves in the area in order to reap the benefits. Thanks to the climate, the produce, and the beauty of the surroundings: you can’t help but feel better on holiday here. Submit to almond joy. Whether you go for almond blossom in February, turrón at Christmas, homemade almond cake in the mountains, or refreshing horchata in the heat of summer, in Alicante region in Valencia, almond farming is big business. This little nut crops up everywhere.

Things not  to do in Valencia

Assume that Benidorm is the be-all and end-all. The rest of Valencia feels like a secret compared to the belligerently British Benidorm. Perhaps that’s why there are so many great wellness retreats in the area, where you can combine yoga, healthy eating and hiking. Yes, all but one of the mountains in Alicante province are under 1,500m, but don’t be fooled, there is plenty of challenging hiking and biking. Miss the festivities: Fallas is Valencia city’s most awaited annual festival, during which the raucous Mascletá celebrations – a competitive fireworks display – casts the air above the city in a smoky haze, and you might see some gorgeous, full-skirted traditional costumes. But if you’re not around in March, not to worry – the Valencia region has a particular penchant for festivals. Alicante has street parties in June for San Juan, and every town seems to hold a Medieval battle re-enactment known as Moros y Cristianos. Order cranberry juice, nor pineapple juice, nor any other kind of juice for that matter, when there’s freshly squeezed Valencia orange juice on the menu. You could also order an Agua de Valencia – an orange-based cocktail, where spirits and local sugar cane add a bit of a kick.

Our top Valencia Holiday

Yoga and Pilates holiday in Spain

Yoga and Pilates holiday in Spain

Yoga and Pilates immersion at an Olive Farm near the sea.

From £990 6 days ex flights
Small group travel:
2023: 21 Sep
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Valencia or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.

Valencia holiday advice

Nicole Stone the founder of our specialist holiday company Yoga Breaks in Spain and has this advice:

Best time to go

“Our absolute favourite time in this area of Spain is from February through to end of October with the first glimpse of spring in February with the arrival of the totally intoxicating smell of the pink and white almond blossom through to the end of October when the high vibes of Summer have all but exhausted themselves and the land begins its restorative journey once again into autumn and winter.”

What makes Valencia special?

“Having myself travelled to various countries across the world, I never cease to appreciate the sheer beauty of the Alicante region. We're blessed to have stunning mountain scenery running along the coast from Alicante to Valencia (80 miles), a long coastline of natural sandy bays, beautiful inland villages where time stands still and, due to the underground mountain springs, an abundance of Mediterranean fruits and vegetables all year round. Oh and did I mention the 300+ days of sunshine each year?!”

Why do yoga here?

“Our retreats offer guests a taste of the 'real' Spain. They take place in lovely little unique venues owned by local families who put their heart, soul and care into ensuring our guests have a lovely stay but also, that as our venues are located alongside local Spanish families, our guests get to immerse themselves in a traditional Spanish way of life by witnessing the many local fiestas and celebrations, to eat locally grown seasonal produce bursting with sunshine and of course, our guests love the relaxed environment we create that allows them to slow down and absorb all the well being retreat advice and activities.”
Julie Slade, retreat director at the Ultimate Retreat Company:

What do you think makes Alicante province such a special destination?

“The World Health Organisation rates our climate as one of the best in the world and it absolutely is! Our local area offers visitors warm dry winters and glorious summers, beautiful beaches, dramatic mountain ranges and lush fertile valleys, history, culture, excellent healthcare and delicious food...”

ADVICE FROM OUR TRAVELLERS

At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travellers are often... other travellers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.

We have selected some of the most useful Valencia travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday - and the space inside your suitcase.
The hikes are quite strenuous. You need hiking boots and a sweater. It’s quite cool on the mountain top, even in summer.
– Monika Wood on a Yoga retreat in Valencia.
“If you plan to cycle - which I recommend - consider that the mountain roads are also quite demanding. Really enjoyed the challenge and enjoyed when completed my daily routes... A tip -the local oil and vinegar products are very environmental and good quality.” - Jarmo Kaariainen on a Spain cycling holiday near Alicante

“Don’t over-pack. It’s very casual and there’s a washing machine in every suite so you can wash your workout clothes.” - Kathy Avery on a luxury fitness holiday in Spain.

“This holiday proved to be a game-changer for me. I have learned so much about the facts behind looking after yourself and working to become healthier.” - Angela Carpenter on a luxury fitness holiday in Spain
If you plan to cycle - which I recommend - consider that the mountain roads are also quite demanding.
- Jarmo Kaariainen on a Spain cycling holiday near Alicante
“The yoga sessions are 4 hours a day, morning and evening. So unless you want to really learn or deepen your approach to yoga you may find it a bit overwhelming, although even the beginners during my stay thoroughly enjoyed it.” - Heather Rome on a Yoga retreat in Valencia

“Make the most of what’s on offer. It’s such a great chance to give your body a boost with yoga, exercise and very healthy food. If you are a confirmed carnivore or a fussy eater you might find the uber-healthy vegetarian menu a culture shock, but the food was absolutely delicious.” - Marguerite Weatherseed on a yoga holiday in Spain.

“We travelled in February. If you like having the mountains to yourselves, this is the trip for you - on average we met fewer than 2 other walkers per day.” - Gabriel Hyde on an Alicante self guided walking holiday

“Pack for 4 seasons. Even though the early spring weather will be better than the UK it may still bite.” - Martin Sigrist on a Spain cycling holiday near Alicante
Written by Eloise Barker
Photo credits: [Page banner: Christian Jiménez] [Top box: keith ellwood] [Things to do: Michael Elleray] [Alicante province: Diego Delso] [Review 1: Erik Brockdorff] [Review 2: Robert Nyman]