When you dream about living in Valencia, sunshine, the beach and the beautiful historic city centre probably come to mind first. But one of the best things about actually living here? The places other people travel to Valencia to visit could simply become part of your everyday life.

Having a coffee among the locals, heading to the beach after work or doing your Saturday morning shopping in one of Europe’s most beautiful market halls. Valencia combines everything you want from a vibrant city with the relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle.

Are you planning on moving to Valencia? These are 10 hotspots that you might soon stop visiting as a tourist and start considering part of your new backyard. 🍊

1. Mercado Central: grocery shopping suddenly becomes a lot more enjoyable

Right in the historic centre, you’ll find Mercado Central de Valencia. This impressive market hall isn’t just beautiful to look at; it’s also where Valencians come to do their everyday shopping.

Fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, meat, cheese, olives and plenty of local products. Once you live in Valencia, you won’t have to walk around here with a camera anymore. You can simply come here to pick up everything you need for the weekend.

And if you get hungry afterwards? Take a seat at Central Bar by renowned Valencian chef Ricard Camarena.

2. Jardín del Turia: your new place to exercise and unwind

One of the biggest advantages of living in Valencia is the amount of outdoor space you have right in the middle of the city.

The best-known example is Jardín del Turia. The former riverbed stretches for kilometres through Valencia and has been transformed into an enormous urban park.

Going for a run before work, walking the dog, cycling across the city or spending a weekend afternoon in the grass with friends: as a resident, the Turia quickly becomes part of your everyday routine.

3. Ruzafa: coffee, restaurants and Valencian city life

If you love lively streets, great restaurants and cosy coffee shops, you’ll probably find yourself in Ruzafa regularly.

This popular neighbourhood just south of the city centre is known for its colourful streets, Mercado de Ruzafa, restaurants, bars and independent shops.

It’s also an interesting neighbourhood to explore if you’re considering moving to Valencia. After all, you only really get to know an area when you experience what everyday life there feels like.

4. Playa de la Malvarrosa: heading to the beach after work

This might just become one of your favourite dilemmas when living in Valencia: do you go straight home after work, or head to the beach first?

Playa de la Malvarrosa is located just a short distance from the city centre and offers a long sandy beach with a promenade full of restaurants.

A beach day that would normally need to be planned during a holiday can simply become a spontaneous Tuesday evening.

And that is exactly what attracts so many people to life in Valencia.

5. Plaza de la Reina: in the heart of historic Valencia

Plaza de la Reina is located in the historic heart of Valencia, right next to the cathedral and the famous El Miguelete bell tower.

From here, you can easily walk towards Plaza de la Virgen and explore the narrow streets of Ciutat Vella.

Once you live here, a famous tourist attraction starts to feel different. It becomes the square where you meet a friend, somewhere you pass on an afternoon in the city or the place where you stop for a drink.

6. Mercado de Colón: meeting up among the Valencians

The beautiful Mercado de Colón is one of those places that perfectly demonstrates how Valencia combines history with modern city life.

The former market is now home to cafés, restaurants and terraces and has become a popular meeting place for locals.

Perfect for a morning coffee, a daytime meeting or a drink at the end of the afternoon.

7. La Marina de València: working with a view of the water

Valencia isn’t only attractive to people looking for a new place to live. The city is also increasingly attracting international professionals, entrepreneurs and remote workers.

Around La Marina de València, city life, the Mediterranean and entrepreneurship come together. You’ll find restaurants, terraces and places to work, with the beach just around the corner.

For anyone dreaming of living and working in Valencia, this is exactly the kind of place that makes the combination so appealing.

8. El Cabanyal: a neighbourhood full of character near the sea

El Cabanyal was originally a fishing neighbourhood and still has a distinctive character of its own. Its colourful façades, small restaurants and location close to the beach make it a special part of Valencia.

The neighbourhood has developed considerably in recent years and attracts both locals and international residents.

If you’re considering buying or renting a property in Valencia, it’s definitely an area worth exploring for yourself.

9. Albufera: escaping the city for a while

One of the great things about Valencia is that you don’t have to travel far to feel like you’re somewhere completely different.

Just south of the city lies Albufera Natural Park, known for its freshwater lagoon, rice fields and beautiful sunsets.

And because Valencia is the birthplace of paella, this is also one of the best areas to enjoy a traditional paella Valenciana.

The perfect escape when you want to leave the city behind without having to plan an entire weekend away.

10. Port Saplaya: the colourful seaside town

Just outside Valencia, you’ll find Port Saplaya, instantly recognisable by its colourful houses, small marina and canals.

It is sometimes referred to as the ‘Little Venice’ of Valencia, but we’d much rather recommend experiencing it for yourself.

Take a walk along the water, have lunch overlooking the marina and finish the afternoon at the beach. Once you live in Valencia, places like this are suddenly practically on your doorstep.

From visiting Valencia to living in Valencia

Ultimately, what makes Valencia so special isn’t just its famous sights.

It’s knowing that you can cycle to Mercado Central on a Saturday morning. That you can head to the beach after work. That a walk through the Turia is no longer part of your holiday itinerary, but simply part of your everyday life.

And perhaps that’s the biggest difference between visiting Valencia and living in Valencia.

You no longer have to fit everything into a few days.

Suddenly, you have all the time in the world.

Moving to Valencia?

Are you dreaming of living, working or starting a business in Valencia? There’s naturally a little more involved than simply finding your favourite hotspot.

At Match Better Valencia, we support people who want to make the move to Valencia. From finding the right home and arranging practical matters to guidance with working, doing business and building a new life in Spain.

So you don’t have to figure everything out on your own and can instead look forward to the moment when Valencia is no longer your favourite holiday destination, but the place you call home. 🧡