20 Things to Do In Valencia in Winter (+ Weather & Packing Tips)
Wondering if you should visit Valencia in winter? Valencia is a fantastic winter destination and a great choice if you want to enjoy some winter sun. When visiting Valencia in winter, you will be able to ditch several layers of clothing, enjoy the city in a completely different light, and blend in with the locals easier.
Valencia is one of the southernmost cities in Europe and has some of the mildest winters on the continent. In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know about spending winter in Valencia, from weather and packing tips to what to do and what to eat in Valencia in winter.
Why visit Valencia in winter
Valencia is a wonderful destination year-round. But there are quite a few reasons why you should consider visiting Valencia in winter:
1. Nice weather
Winters in Valencia tend to be quite mild and pleasant. This, of course, doesn’t mean T-shirt weather. But compared to most European destinations, Valencia has great weather. Winter temperatures in Valencia remain in the two digits during the day. During the night, it rarely gets close to freezing. Another important thing is that it doesn’t rain much either.
2. Lower prices
Winter in Valencia, except for Christmas, is considered off-season. This means accommodation prices are at their lowest. Prices drop even more in January and February. Also, flying into Valencia tends to be cheaper. And curious enough, prices for certain seasonal food items also go down. For example, cocktail prices in Valencia tend to go up in summer and down in winter.
3. Fewer crowds
Although fewer people visit Valencia during the winter months, the city does not come to a halt. Locals enjoy going out before and during the holidays. You will find them catching up with old friends and at company-sponsored dinners. Families get together around café and restaurant tables. And the city center and shopping malls are packed, especially on weekends. Everybody gets into a Christmas shopping frenzy come Black Friday! But the city becomes quieter after January 6th.
Weather in Valencia in winter
Valencia has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters. This makes Valencia a nice place to spend the winter months.
Temperatures during the day usually stay between 10ºC and 20ºC, but maximum temperatures can be even higher. During the night, temperatures are either in the low two digits or one digit. As a general rule of thumb, temperatures in Valencia never get below zero.
Due to the proximity to the sea, winters in Valencia can be windy and humid. This can feel uncomfortable. Luckily, this is not a daily occurrence and for the most time, you can enjoy beautiful blue skies and pleasant winter sun.
Winters in Valencia are quite dry (Valencia has more than 300 sunny days a year!). This means that you can easily enjoy Valencia for weeks in a row without ever getting out your umbrella. However, even if it doesn’t rain, the sky can be overcast for days in a row. Also, in Valencia, when it rains it pours. Winter is when most storms happen in Valencia and storms can last for days on end.
What to do in Valencia in winter
- Go to the spa or hammam (or stay in a hotel with a spa)
- See a concert at Palau de la Música
- Go to a candlelight concert
- See a musical or ballet at Olympia Theater
- Catch an opera at Palacio de las Artes Reina Sofía
- Visit the Fine Arts Museum
- Bike around the city
- Visit San Nicolas church
- See a flamenco show
- Go on an old town tour
- Dive into the Christmas spirit
- Show your talents on the ice rink
- Enjoy the sun
- Have a drink in a cozy bar
- Do some Christmas shopping
- Go to the Fun Fair or circus
- Catch a winter sunset
- Take a paella cooking class
- Visit the San José caves
What to eat in Valencia in winter
- Chocolate and churros
- Chestnuts
- Oranges and orange juice
- Turrón, mantecados and marzipan
- Puchero Valenciano
- Arroz al horno
- Caramelized almonds and other nuts
- Local wine
What to pack when visiting Valencia in winter
The first thing you should pack when visiting Valencia in winter is warm clothes. This is easily overlooked and many people assume that just because temperatures during the day can reach 20ºC, it is warm. That’s not always the case.
The highest temperatures are reached in the early afternoon, between 1 pm and 3 pm. But mornings can be chilly – the lowest temperatures are reached around 6 am. Also, evenings can get a bit cold, so it’s good to take this into account if you plan to stay up late. This means packing a jacket and a scarf.
Locals tend to wear light puffer and biker jackets on warmer days and switch to parkas and coats when temperatures drop. Ankle boots are also quite common.
If you plan to spend the whole winter in Valencia or the forecast is rainy during your stay, consider packing a jacket that is both windproof and waterproof.
If you’re staying in an apartment rental, look for one that has central heating. Central heating is quite uncommon in Valencia. Combined with poor insulation, this means temperatures indoors can match the ones outdoors.
Central heating or not, it’s best to pack some warm PJs and loungewear to wear around the apartment, just in case. Also, many apartments in Valencia have tile flooring and no carpets, so packing warm slippers can come in handy as well.
Apart from this, you can also pack an umbrella, sunglasses, and a reusable water bottle with a filter. Tap water in Valencia is safe to drink, but it doesn’t have a pleasant taste. If you like to have a reusable water bottle with you at all times, make sure it has a filter so you don’t end up buying bottled water sold in plastic from the supermarket.
If you’re traveling from a country outside of the EU, check if you need to pack a converter and/or adapter for all your electronics.
What to pack for winter in Valencia:
- Jacket/coat
- Scarf
- Ankle boots
- Warm PJs and loungewear
- Warm slippers
- Umbrella
- Sunglasses
- Reusable water bottle with a filter
- Converter and/or adapter for your electronics
Frequently asked questions about winter in Valencia
Is Valencia worth visiting in winter?
Yes, Valencia is definitely worth visiting in winter. While restaurants and cafés remain busy in winter, most tourist attractions are not busy at all. This means a more relaxed and comfortable experience. You can also enjoy long walks on the beach, since, the beach and the promenade are virtually empty in winter. On a warm sunny day, this can feel super special.
What is Valencia like at Christmas?
In the weeks prior to Christmas, many streets and buildings all over Valencia are beautifully decorated with twinkling Christmas lights. Wonderful displays of nativity scenes pop up around the city and there are many Christmas treats to be enjoyed. While Valencia is not big on Christmas markets, it does have several small ones where you can buy all kinds of locally produced, handmade goods.
Does it snow in Valencia in winter?
No! Since temperatures don’t get at or below freezing, it almost never snows in Valencia. In fact, the last time the streets of Valencia were covered in a snow blanket was on January 11, 1960. This was one of only three times this happened since 1856, the year when meteorological data started being officially recorded. At the beginning of February 2015, a few snowflakes fell in Valencia for a few minutes, most of them melting before reaching the ground.
How cold does it get in Valencia in winter?
Winter temperatures in Valencia can get close to freezing, but it rarely reaches zero degrees. However, the perceived temperature can be a few degrees lower than the thermometers show. This is especially true on windy days. Cold winds from the east or the north can feel quite cold.
Is Valencia nice in January?
Valencia is very nice to visit in January. Winter holidays in Valencia last until the 6th of January and see a grand parade of the Three Wise Man on the 5th. After that, things slow down, but January sees plenty of sunny days. This means you can enjoy a nice cup of coffee on a terrace throughout the day.
Is Valencia warm in February?
The first half of February tends to be colder than the second half. During the second half of February, temperatures start to slowly climb again. A light jacket is usually all you need on the last days of February. March is already considered spring in Valencia, with some days bringing T-shirt weather.
