Best Time to Visit Valencia
Valencia has more than 300 sunny days a year and one of the mildest winters in Europe. But choosing the right moment can save you hundreds of euros and a world of crowds.
Short answer: October offers the best value: 25°C, sea at 22°C and 30 to 50 per cent cheaper than summer. May is an excellent second choice for an earlier trip. January and November are cheapest. Las Fallas (15-19 March) is a once-in-a-lifetime experience but book at least 3 months in advance.
Book your Valencia trip
Compare hotels in ValenciaPackage holiday to ValenciaHire a car in ValenciaValencia draws millions of visitors every year but the crowds and prices are very unevenly spread across the year. The Mediterranean semi-arid climate makes the city worth visiting all year round: even in January it reaches 17°C during the day with barely any rain. Summer (July-August) is the most expensive and crowded time; autumn (October) and early spring (May) offer the best balance.
Also check our complete Valencia travel guide with tips on neighbourhoods, the city beach, the City of Arts and Sciences and the paella route.
By season: when should you go?
January and November
Lowest flight prices of the year (€60 to €100 return) and hotels up to 40% cheaper than in summer. Valencia is pleasant even in winter: 17 to 20°C during the day, barely any rain and the popular sights are quiet. Ideal for visiting the City of Arts and Sciences, the Oceanarium (L'Oceanografic) and the Mercado Central without queues.
October
October is the sweet spot: 25°C during the day, sea still 22°C (comfortable for swimming), 5 rain days per month and flights 30 to 50 per cent cheaper than in August. La Playa de la Malvarrosa is lovely but no longer overcrowded.
The Valencian Day (regional holiday on 9 October) brings a festive atmosphere without mass tourism. Note: late October can bring intense DANA rainstorms; this phenomenon hit the region badly in November 2024, so check weather warnings carefully.
July and August
Peak season: Valencia is at its busiest and most expensive. 30 to 31°C, 10 hours of sunshine a day and a beach visit that is genuinely worth it (sea 25-26°C). But hotels are 60 to 100% more expensive than in low season, flights cost up to €325 return and popular sights (Oceanarium, City of Arts and Sciences) are packed. If you do go in summer: get up early and visit the main sights before 10:00.
May (outside school holidays)
May outside the Dutch spring holiday (25 Apr-3 May) is an excellent month: 24°C, sea at 18°C, 8 hours of sunshine a day and flights still affordable (€90-€150 return). Spring brings blooming orange trees throughout the city and still reasonable hotel prices. Book your trip after the Dutch school holiday for the best combination of price and weather.
Las Fallas (1-19 March)
Las Fallas is one of Europe's most spectacular festivals and is on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. The magic: each neighbourhood spends weeks building enormous sculptures (fallas) from polystyrene and cardboard that are all burned down on the final night (La Crema, 19 March). Every day at 14:00 the Mascleta (a daily fireworks spectacle) explodes in the city hall square: deafening but utterly unforgettable.
The Fallas week (15-19 March) draws more than 1 million extra visitors and hotel and flight prices double or triple. Book at least 3 to 4 months in advance. Those who want the atmosphere without extreme crowds: go in the first week of March, when the sculptures are already on display but prices are still normal.
Cheapest months for Valencia: price by month
Flight prices from the Netherlands to Valencia vary significantly by month and are heavily influenced by Dutch school holidays. Book ideally 10 to 15 weeks ahead for the best price.
Flights from the Netherlands to Valencia
From Eindhoven: Ryanair and Transavia fly direct from Eindhoven Airport (EIN) to Valencia (VLC) in approximately 2 hours 30 minutes. About 13 flights per week in both directions.
From Amsterdam: Transavia, KLM, Vueling and easyJet fly direct from Schiphol to Valencia in approximately 2 hours 45 minutes. With around 45 flights per week the choice is wider and departure times more varied. Always compare Eindhoven: it can be 20 to 40% cheaper on the same dates.
Events and reasons to go
- Las Fallas (1-19 March 2026) Valencia's greatest festival and UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. Districts spend months building enormous sculptures that are burned down on 19 March (La Crema). Every day at 14:00 the Mascleta (daily fireworks show) goes off at the city hall square; the flower tribute to the Virgin on 17 and 18 March. A compulsory experience. Book at least 3 to 4 months ahead; everything sells out fast.
- Semana Santa (29 March to 5 April 2026) Holy Week with impressive processions through Valencia city centre. Less theatrical than Seville or Malaga, but the atmosphere is authentic and there are fewer mass tourists. Hotels are temporarily more expensive.
- Feria de Julio (all of July) A month-long festival with concerts, fireworks competitions, paella contests and cultural events spread across the city. Free to enjoy; combine your visit with an evening stroll along the Rio Turia (the city park in the old dried-out riverbed).
- La Tomatina (last Wednesday of August) In Bunol, 38 km from Valencia: the famous tomato fight with a maximum of 20,000 participants. Tickets required (around €10-€12). In 2026 La Tomatina falls on Wednesday 26 August. Day trip from Valencia by train or bus.
- Dia de la Comunitat Valenciana (9 October) Regional public holiday with free concerts, traditional dress (indumentaria valenciana) and festivities throughout the city. Not a tourist event: a genuine local celebration.
Also useful for this destination
Full Valencia travel guide: flights, hotels and tipsMore best-time guides
Want to know the best and cheapest time for other cities too?
Frequently asked questions about the best time to visit Valencia
When is the best time to visit Valencia?
October offers the best value: 25°C, sea at 22°C (comfortable for swimming), 30 to 50 per cent cheaper than summer and significantly fewer crowds. May outside the Dutch school holidays is a strong second choice. Those who want to experience Las Fallas should go 15 to 19 March but book at least 3 months in advance.
When is Valencia cheapest?
January and November are the cheapest months: return flights from €60 and hotels up to 40% cheaper than in summer. Valencia is pleasant even in winter: 17 to 20°C during the day, little rain and no tourist queues at museums and sights.
Can I fly direct from Eindhoven to Valencia?
Yes. Ryanair and Transavia fly direct from Eindhoven Airport (EIN) to Valencia (VLC) in approximately 2 hours 30 minutes. From Amsterdam Schiphol, Transavia, KLM, Vueling and easyJet fly direct to Valencia in approximately 2 hours 45 minutes.
When is Valencia at its busiest?
July and August are the busiest and most expensive (peak season with beaches, high hotel prices and long queues). Las Fallas 15-19 March is extremely busy and expensive but also the most spectacular time. Outside those periods Valencia is very manageable.
What is Las Fallas and is it worth going?
Las Fallas (1-19 March) is Valencia's most famous festival: districts build enormous sculptures over months that are all burned down on 19 March. Every day at 14:00 the Mascleta (daily fireworks show) explodes at the city hall square. It is on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. Yes, it is absolutely worth it, but you need to book 3 to 4 months in advance as everything sells out fast.
Updated 7 October 2026