I always suggest building the sea into your Valencia plans from the start. After a few hours in the old centre it is a joy to take off your shoes, walk on the sand, have a swim and linger over lunch on the seafront. How to split the city into days is covered in my article What to see in Valencia: an itinerary for one, two and three days.
For that kind of continuation, Malvarrosa, Cabanyal and neighbouring Patacona are ideal. If you would like to give the sea a whole day, choose a beach among the dunes and pines of the Albufera or one of the resorts north of Valencia.
The municipality of Valencia has almost 20 kilometres of beaches, from the lively city seafront to natural stretches inside the Albufera park. The coast is mostly flat and open, the sand is fine and pale, and the water usually deepens gently. That suits families with children and anyone who likes long walks along the sea.
The city beaches are cleaned regularly and water quality is monitored. In 2026 six of Valencia's beaches received the Blue Flag, an international award that takes into account water quality, safety, facilities and environmental standards. Malvarrosa, El Saler and La Devesa are among them. The award is renewed every year, though, so even neighbouring beaches can have a different status.
The city beaches and Patacona
The main city beaches are Cabanyal (Playa del Cabanyal), also known as Las Arenas, and Malvarrosa (Playa de la Malvarrosa). They run into each other and feel like one long stretch of shore with a seafront promenade.
Cabanyal is closer to the port; behind the beach begins the former fishing quarter of low houses with tiled façades. This shore used to be the fishermen's workplace: boats were hauled up here and nets mended. It is exactly this seaside Valencia, with fishermen and bathing children, that Joaquín Sorolla painted.
Malvarrosa has an unexpected story of its own: its name comes from perfumery. In the 19th century the French botanist Félix Robillard grew a fragrant pelargonium known as malvarrosa here and distilled essences from it. The plant's name stuck to this part of the city.
Right after Malvarrosa comes Patacona (Playa de la Patacona). Strictly speaking it belongs to the neighbouring municipality of Alboraya, but the boundary is almost invisible: the beach and promenade simply carry on, and it is easy to miss that you have changed towns.
Patacona is usually less crowded than Malvarrosa and has more small cafés and chiringuitos — seasonal beach bars. It is a good choice for an unhurried day by the sea, alternating swims with coffee on a terrace or an aperitif by the water.
In summer the city beaches have sunbed and parasol rental points, plus kiosks with drinks, ice cream and snacks. According to the 2026 rates published by the operator Mar y Sombra, a sunbed costs €10 and a parasol another €10. You can just as well bring your own towel and umbrella: renting is not required.
You can have lunch right by the beach. Malvarrosa has a group of 12 beach restaurants, and around Cabanyal and the port there are even more places of every kind. Many specialise in rice dishes, so a beach day combines easily with paella. How to find your way around the rice menu is covered in my article “Real paella and other rice dishes”. I recommend booking a table in advance, and if paella is what you want, say so when you book. Note that most restaurants serve paella at lunchtime only.
Beaches south of the port
South of the port the coast gradually changes. Beyond Pinedo natural stretches begin, with dunes, scrub and pine forest beside the sand. It is usually quieter here than on the city seafront.
Pinedo (Playa de Pinedo) is the closest of these beaches to the port. It has a promenade, restaurants and seasonal sunbed and parasol rental. Its northern section has an equipped dog beach, Playa Can de Pinedo — a separate marked area where you can relax and swim with your pet.
El Saler (Playa del Saler) lies in the Albufera Natural Park. Its sandy strip runs for about 2.7 kilometres, with pines growing behind the dunes. It is a good choice if you want a day by the sea surrounded by nature, with fewer people, without going far from the city. On summer weekends, though, the popular entrances can get quite busy.
El Saler has a few places to rent sunbeds and parasols, but far fewer than in Valencia itself. There are also far fewer restaurants than on the city seafront, so you will not get lunch without booking ahead.
La Devesa (Playa de la Devesa) is a wild beach in one of the most protected parts of the Albufera. Dunes and pines survive here between the sea and the Albufera lake. Bring your own umbrella and food. La Devesa is the one I would choose for a calm day with as little city bustle as possible.
Beaches north of Valencia
La Pobla de Farnals suits those who like the feel of a small seaside resort. It has a marina, a promenade and restaurants. Playa Norte has fine golden sand and, in calm weather, shallow water that is easy for swimming. It is a classic family beach day: swim, have lunch, walk along the shore. It gets busy in summer too.
Puerto de Sagunto (Playa del Puerto de Sagunto) is a spacious sandy beach with a lively promenade, restaurants and good facilities. Its distinctive feature is the large port next door, which is very visible from the shore. It is perfectly fine for swimming and relaxing, but for a dedicated beach trip I would rather choose neighbouring Canet — I find its surroundings more attractive.
Canet d’en Berenguer, whose beach is called Racó de la Mar, is my first choice among these three. It combines a wide sandy shore, dunes and a really beautiful promenade. The restaurants are excellent too.
