The best time to visit Valencia is May and October. This is when the temperatures in Valencia are just perfect, the tourists are few and far between and the sun shines from sunrise to sunset.
But Valencia has a mild Mediterranean climate, with over 300 days of sunshine per year. This means Valencia is a wonderful city to visit year-round and there really isn’t a bad time to visit.
Besides the dry summers and mild winters, Valencia celebrates several world-famous festivities, music festivals, and other cultural events throughout the year. So chances are that no matter what month you visit Valencia, you’ll run into something fun to do.
Best time to visit Valencia month-by-month
January
What’s on: January in Valencia kicks in with the Three Kings parade on January 5th and the celebration of the Epiphany on the next day. This marks the end of the Christmas holidays in Valencia. The winter sales start on January 7th and last the whole month. Towards the end of the month, the Chinese community in Valencia celebrates the Chinese New Year with a colorful parade.
Weather: January is one of the coldest months in Valencia. Rain and cloudy skies are a relatively common occurrence. But there are plenty of sunny days as well.
Continue reading: Valencia in January: Weather, Things to Do & What to Wear
February
What’s on: February is the carnival month and Valencia celebrates with colorful parades, usually in the Ruzafa neighborhood. Several exhibitions and events take place in Valencia in February in anticipation of Las Fallas. This is a great time to explore Valencia’s indoor attractions, from the beautiful Gothic and Baroque churches to the world-class museums.
Weather: The booths and scarf weather continue throughout February. Expect a mix of sunny and rainy days.
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March
What’s on: March brings the most important festival in Valencia‘s calendar – Las Fallas. This festival takes place from March 1st to 19th, with the bulk of events happening in the last five days. Locals take on the streets and throw the biggest street party in Europe. Think delicious street food, blasting music, and colorful works of art everywhere you look. The festival ends with huge bonfires throughout the city. March is also the perfect month for seeing orange trees in bloom.
Weather: March brings spring temperatures. It is common to have a couple of rainy days during Las Fallas, but generally speaking, it’s sunny and you don’t need to carry a jacket during the day anymore.
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April
What’s on: April is usually the month when Easter is celebrated (although some years, it can fall on the last Sunday of March). Easter celebrations in Valencia spread throughout the Holy Week and most events and parades take place in the El Cabañal neighborhood by the sea. A few other festivals are organized in Valencia in April. April is also a great time to see Valencia’s parks and gardens in bloom.
Weather: En abril aguas mil, the popular saying goes, meaning that in April it rains a lot. In Valencia, the rain is usually light rain, but it’s a good idea to pack an umbrella nevertheless.
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May
What’s on: On the second Sunday of May, Valencia celebrates the Festival of Our Lady of the Forsaken, the female patron saint of Valencia. This entails several masses, processions, fireworks, and classical concerts. The pleasant temperatures and dry weather are ideal for exploring Valencia on foot, soaking up some sun on a terrace, discovering the landmarks, and admiring the Modernista architecture, without bumping into tour groups.
Weather: May is one of the best months to visit Valencia due to the long, warm, and sunny days. The sea water is not warm enough for bathing just yet. But you can definitely enjoy a day at the beach and get a tan.
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June
What’s on: In June, Valencia celebrates one of its oldest festivals – Corpus Christi. This religious festival takes place 60 days after Easter Sunday and comes complete with parades, folk dances, and giant puppets (Gigantes y Cabezudos). On June 23rd, Valencia celebrates the Night of San Juan and welcomes the arrival of summer with bonfires and all-night beach parties. For two consecutive days in June, Festival de Les Arts, an alternative, pop, and rock music festival also takes place in the City of Arts and Sciences. On the last Saturday of June, the streets of Valencia fill with music and color during the city’s joyous Pride Parade.
Weather: June can be quite warm, but temperatures are still bearable. The sea water is finally warm enough to bathe, even early in the month. June in Valencia is dry and it’s unlikely you’ll see many clouds in the sky, let alone rain.
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July
What’s on: Gran Feria de Julio takes place during the whole month of July. It includes open-air concerts, theater plays, and fireworks and concludes with a procession of beautifully decorated floats and a colorful flower battle on the last Sunday of the month. Valencia sees an increased number of tourists and accommodation prices rise. Summer sales season starts on July 1st with many shops offering discounts of up to 70%.
Weather: July is hot, with high humidity levels, which can be somewhat unpleasant. The urban beaches get busy, although they rarely feel crowded due to their sheer size. Locals prefer to go to the nearby beaches of Port Saplaya and El Saler, which many consider to be the best beaches in Valencia.
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August
What’s on: Traditionally, August is the month when locals leave the city and tourists come in. Most Spanish take August off, so you might stumble upon small family-owned businesses and coffee shops being closed for the month. But the city never comes to a standstill, in spite of the excruciating heat. Valencia moves its gravitational center from the old town to the marina, where the best clubs and bars are. The marina is the trendiest place in Valencia to sip a cocktail and dance the night away while enjoying cooler temperatures and the sea breeze. It’s also one of the best places to see the sunset in Valencia. The summer sales season continues throughout August, with discounts of up to 70%.
Weather: August continues to be hot and humid, although it tends to get more pleasant during the second half of the month. If you are brave enough to face the summer heat in Valencia, don’t forget to use your sunscreen.
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September
What’s on: September is all about back to school and work, yet it’s one of the best months to visit Valencia. Locals return to their daily routine and life gets back to normal. The city celebrates several open-air concerts and a beer festival inspired by the Bavarian Oktoberfest is usually held this time of the year. The sea water is nice and warm, but the beaches are way less crowded. With most tourists gone, accommodation prices drop as well.
Weather: The first half of September is still hot, but temperatures start to go down as autumn approaches.
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October
What’s on: October is the best time to visit Valencia, comparable only to May. On October 9th, the Day of the Valencian Community is celebrated with huge firework displays and Moors and Christians parades. October 9th is also San Dionis’ Day in Valencia. Similar to San Valentine’s Day, it is customary for guys to gift fruit-shaped marzipan sweets and scarves to their sweethearts. This is one of the most colorful days in the local festival, commemorating the entrance of King Jaime I in Valencia, almost eight centuries ago, after defeating the Moors.
Weather: October weather in Valencia can be some of the nicest. The balmy temperatures and mostly sunny days make this one of the best months to visit Valencia and seamlessly enjoy both the city and the beach. This might come as a surprise, but sea temperatures are still nice in October and pleasant for swimming.
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November
What’s on: In November things slow down considerably. Days are shorter and not much is going on in terms of events. It’s a good month to enjoy Valencia’s café culture and terraces, weather permitting; check out some restaurants, and visit some indoor attractions. Parks and gardens are still nice and green this time of the year and they are a great option if you want to soak up some vitamin D when the sun is out.
Weather: November can be cloudy, but not always rainy. The long nights force the temperatures to drop, especially in the wee small hours. This means mornings can be a bit chilly, especially if windy or wet.
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December
What’s on: December is a month full of events. Locals get ready for Christmas and the whole city erupts in a frenzy of activities. The Maratón Valencia Trinidad Alfonso takes place on the first Sunday of the month, with tens of thousands of people getting involved. Later on this month, Christmas markets pop up around the city and enormous Christmas trees brighten up the shopping malls. There are a ton of things to do in Valencia at Christmas, lights decorate the streets, and shop windows and nativity scenes are built. Locals seize this time to get together with family and friends in coffee shops and restaurants.
Weather: December weather in Valencia tends to be nice and sunny. In spite of the long nights, temperatures remain pleasant during the day and you can enjoy the terraces and do your Christmas shopping without having to layer up too much.
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Frequently asked questions about the best time to visit Valencia
What is the best month to visit Valencia?
The best time to visit Valencia is in May. This month strikes the best balance between pleasant temperatures and avoiding crowds. While the social calendar for May is a bit quieter than for other months, you’ll benefit from shoulder season accommodation prices, which is definitely a bonus.
What is the hottest month in Valencia?
The hottest time in Valencia is from the 15th of July to the 15th of August. This time of the year is characterized by heat waves and temperatures that can reach up to 40ºC (104ºF) during the day and minimum temperatures of 25ºC (77ºF) during the night.
Is September okay for a visit?
Yes, September is a good month to visit Valencia, although I’d say the second half of the month is better than the first. That’s because the temperatures are more manageable and the city is less crowded once the summer holidays are over and the bulk of the tourists are gone. With a higher percentage of locals to tourists, Valencia feels more authentic.