Car Rental in Valencia

Why rent a car in Valencia?

Spain’s third largest city is a great place to explore by car. Large and diverse, it offers everything from historic sites and impressive architecture to modern art galleries and many world-class beaches on the Mediterranean coast. Valencia can also serve as a great base for seeing the rest of the Valencian Community region which is best explored with the freedom of your own car.

Top ways to enter Valencia

• Valencia Airport: Also known as Manises Airport and located just west of the city center, Valencia Airport serves around 6 million travelers every year. 
• Alicante-Elche Airport: The largest airport of the Valencian Community serves flights by many airlines including a number of low-cost carriers. The airport is about 171km (106 miles) south of Valencia and can be reached in less than two hours.
• Barcelona El Prat Airport: The second-busiest airport in Spain and the seventh-busiest in Europe, Barcelona El Prat primarily serves the capital of Catalonia, but can also be a great starting point from which to explore the rest of the Spanish Mediterranean coast. The airport is about 337km (209 miles) from Valencia and can be reached in about three hours and 30 minutes.
• Madrid Barajas Airport: The largest airport in Spain serves nearly 60 million travelers every year. It hosts flights to and from most parts of the world. Located in the eastern suburbs of Madrid, the airport is about three hours and 45 minutes drive from Valencia.
• By rail: If you arrive in Valencia by train, you can conveniently pick up your rental car at Estacion del Norte, Valencia’s main train station.

City facts

• Like much of the rest of Spain, Valencia enjoys a subtropical Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot, dry summers. The average temperature in August, the hottest month, is 30°C  (86°F), while the average temperature in January is 12°C  (53°F).
• Valencia is one of the food capitals of Spain. It is the birthplace of paella, and many of the best seafood restaurants in Europe can be found here. Other local specialties include arròs negre (black rice), tapas, and tortilla de papas, or the Spanish omelet.

Top sights and activities

• City of Arts and Science. The architectural complex is often called the most famous modern attraction in Spain. It includes a number of futuristic buildings, like the L’Hemisferic planetarium and laser show, the Prince Felipe Museum of Science, L’Umbracle landscape garden, El Palau de los Arts opera house, and many more.
• L'Oceanogràfic oceanographic park is also part of the City of Arts and Science but is worth mentioning on its own. One of the largest and most unique oceanariums in the world, it is a place to dive with sharks, walk through a shark tunnel, see the dolphinarium, as well as to learn about the different marine ecosystems of the planet. Children love this place, but even if you’re not traveling with kids, it’s undoubtedly one of the highlights of any visit to Valencia.
• Catedral de Santa María de València. Also known as La Seu or simply Valencia Cathedral, it is one of the most impressive Gothic churches in Spain. First built as a Roman temple, it was then rebuilt into a Christian place of worship by the Visigoths and then also temporarily turned into a mosque by the Moors. The cathedral is also famous for its many medieval and renaissance paintings.
• Fine Arts Museum. Able to hold its own against its counterparts in Barcelona and Madrid, the Fine Art Museum of Valencia is one of the finest in the country. Exhibits include works by the most famous Spanish artists, such as Velasquez and El Greco, as well as famous foreigners like Bosch and van Goyen. This is one of the many things you can do in winter in Valencia.
• Lonja de la Seda. A great example of the so-called Valencian Gothic style, Lonja (or Llotja) is one of the most interesting buildings in the city. Dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries, it used to host a marine merchant tribunal and fulfilled several other functions related to trade and business. The building has a beautiful courtyard known as the Orange Garden.
• Archaeological Crypt of the Prison of San Vicente. Visiting an ancient underground prison might not be the first thing on your agenda for a Spanish beach holiday, but for San Vicente, it's worth making an exception. Dating back to Visigoth rule about 1,500 years ago, the crypt also showcases Roman and Moor artifacts, as well as the sculpture of Saint Vincent the Martyr, an early local Christian after whom the site is named.

Traffic and parking

• Speed limits - 30km/h (17 mph) in built-up areas for roads with one lane in each direction, 20km/h (12 mph) on streets shared with pedestrians, 50 km/h (31 mph) on urban streets with two lanes in each direction 90km/h (56mph) on most standard roads, 100km/h (62mph) on standard roads that are either one-way roads, roads with more than two lanes for at least one direction of traffic and roads with shoulders more than 1.5m wide, and 120km/h (74mph) on motorways (called autovías in Spain).
• Like in other large cities in Europe, finding a good parking spot can be hard in Valencia. A better alternative than spending hours trying to find a spot in the very city center is to keep your car just outside the downtown boundaries in one of the large paid parking lots or garages. The prices depend on the season and time but are generally quite reasonable.
• The car’s registration and insurance documents must be in it at all times.
• The driver and all passengers are required to wear seatbelts.
• Children up to the age of 12 and measuring less than 135cm traveling in the front seat of a car must be seated in a child restraint system adapted to their size and weight.
• Unnecessary use of audible warning devices (horns) is prohibited.
• The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.02% for novice drivers.
• The emergency number is 112.

Toll roads

Most of the roads in Spain are toll-free. Toll roads are called ‘carretera de peaje’. On maps and road signs, all toll roads have to include a letter P after the road type. The available methods of payment may vary depending on the road, but most will accept cash. Regardless of the region, the average estimated price is €9.5 ($11.25) per 100km. See the official website for prices and more information.

Ideas for day trips

• Platja de Les Arenes. The beautiful promenade area that’s located north of the city’s port might be considered a little crowded by some, but for most, it is the most active and fun part of the Valencia area. Beach bars, public events, and opportunities for watersports abound, and the sunsets are simply breathtaking. Another must-visit place if you’re in the city.
• Xativa. Most famous for its castle, Xativa is a great town to explore. Visit the castle on the hill, whose foundations date back to Roman times, though most of what you see was built in the Middle Ages. Afterward, wander around the quaint village and enjoy some tapas and a drink. You can reach Xativa in just under an hour from Valencia. 
• Albufera National Park. Located just 11km (6.8 miles) south of Valencia, the peaceful Albufera might as well be on a different planet. Once a lagoon of the Mediterranean, its canals and streams have turned freshwater over centuries and now support a surprisingly varied ecosystem of flora and fauna. Park your rental car at the park’s entrance and go on a hike, try spotting some of the local birds, and enjoy a tranquil day outdoors.
• El Puig. Valencia is home to many famous Gothic buildings, but very few of them can match the Monastery of Santa Maria in the nearby town of El Puig. Standing for more than 700 years, it is just a 25-minute drive north of Valencia. There are other impressive buildings here as well. If you’re visiting at the right time, you might be able to join one of the town’s several festivals.
• Alicante. A notable rival of Valencia, at least when it comes to the popularity of its beaches, Alicante is the most visited city in the southern part of the Valencian Community. Known not just for the magnificent coastline and resorts, but historical cities and landmarks that surround it, Alicante can also serve as a gateway to Murcia, Cartagena, and Andalusia even further south. From Valencia, the drive takes about two hours and mostly takes you along the Mediterranean coast.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Valencia is the Fiat 500, followed by the Renault Clio and the Fiat Panda. The most popular rental car types are the mini, economy, and intermediate classes.

Further destinations

• Murcia. The Region of Murcia is perhaps underrated compared to other jewels of Spain, but that shouldn’t stop you from visiting. Its beaches are less crowded (but no less spectacular) than those of the Valencian Community, its culture and cuisine is a unique mix, and the ancient city of Cartagena has been home to different civilizations since before Christ. It’s close, too - Cartagena is just a three-hour drive down the coast from Valencia and the city of Murcia, the regional capital, is even closer. If there’s still an undiscovered travel destination remaining in Spain, Murcia is it.
• Andalusia. It’s easy to see Spain’s largest region like a country of its own. From fun, stunning beaches around Malaga and Cadiz to the Sierra Nevada mountain range, and from vast national parks to timeless cities like Seville, Granada, and Cordoba, the province really seems to have it all. Deservedly famous for flamenco, bullfighting, and Moorish architecture, Andalusia is so much more than just that. Granada is 480km (298 miles) southeast of Valencia, a distance that’s possible to drive in five hours.
• Barcelona. Spain’s second largest city and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, Barcelona is always changing. The stunning coastline, the beautifully haunting architecture of Gaudí, and the fun crowds of La Rambla are constants. But this city keeps finding new ways to surprise you, whether it’s all the culture and art activities that are always going on or simply those unique adventures that you’re simply bound to have if you travel here. From Valencia, Barcelona is just a three-and-a-half hour long, scenic drive north along the coast.
• Madrid. Bursting with life, elegance, and things to do, the capital city is a must-see on any trip to Spain. Marvel at the beautiful architecture in plazas like Plaza Mayor, Puerto del Sol, and Plaza de Espana. Don’t miss Europe’s largest and possibly most opulent royal palace and museum, the Palacio Real de Madrid. If you’re an art lover, check out the world-class Museo del Prado, where you can admire works by Velazquez, Goya, Rubens, Bosch, and many other famous artists. In the day, stroll through the charming streets and relax at a cafe in the great Malasana neighborhood, and in the evening, discover the nightlife of the neighborhood by tasting the amazing Spanish wine and tapas at the local restaurants and bars. Madrid is just under a four-hour drive from Valencia.

Car rental prices in Valencia

• Convertibles - from $15 per day
• SUVs - from $11 per day
• Vans - from $25 per day
• Small cars - from $7 per day
• Large cars - from $21 per day
• Medium cars - from $10 per day
• Station wagons - from $28 per day
• Premium cars - from $38 per day

Money-saving and other tips

These are the tricks you can try to land a cheap rental car in Valencia:

• Compare rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Valencia is the cheapest in June when renting a car is 60% cheaper than the yearly average. Come visit the Mediterranean at the beginning of summer!