Digital Nomad Trip Report: València

Quick Facts about Valencia for Digital Nomads

Introduction

If you’re reading this article, you will no doubt be aware that Valencia was recently rocked by one of the worst natural disasters in the country’s history, further hampered by a shockingly poor reaction from the government. The death toll is in the hundreds and hundreds more remain missing, feared dead. Please, consider donating to the DANA Relief Fund, here.

We’ve finally made it, people! I’ve packed my bags, sold everything I own (except an obscene amount of clothes that I definitely won’t need) and booked a one-way ticket, first stop: Valencia.

Valencia is a pretty obvious choice for many on the digital nomad circuit; it was also one of the most top-rated cities from people I’d met on my travels around Spain. Out of all the major cities, this was the only one left for me to visit, so it seemed like a natural choice.

I have four weeks here in Valencia before heading back out to LATAM (first stop, CDMX) and this is a crucial month for me; I need to get my head down, build a brand and generate some income.

I’ll be spending the month divided between Spanish lessons in the morning and working, predominantly, from my Airbnb in the afternoon.

Where to work in Valencia

There are a lot of co‑working areas in and around Valencia, and I would not recommend working from cafés. Valencia is experiencing over‑tourism—not quite to the extent of Barcelona—but the “Airbnb-effect” is certainly evident here, and I think it’s in poor taste to work from cafés unless you’re familiar with a place and have asked for permission. I found a nice big café that was part of a chain called Liaopastel; after frequenting it for a few days, I asked if I could work in the corner for an hour, and there was no problem.

As for coworking spaces, I’d highly recommend Vortex—they have three locations: Vortex Ciencias (just opened near the City of Arts & Sciences), Vortex Playa (near the beach) and Vortex Centro, in the centre. The Vortex website has great video tours, transparent pricing with lots of options and, most importantly, an active social plan. All in all, Vortex is your number one choice if you’re on the hunt for a co‑working space.

Does Spain have a digital nomad visa?

Spain does have a Digital Nomad Visa and whilst it can be one of the most rewarding, it is one of the most difficult digital nomad visas to obtain, with that in mind I have refrained from providing detail on the visa, as it is quite complex and I would defer your attention to a qualified service that can help with your application, such as, Global Citizen Solutions.

As a British citizen, I can make use of the 90‑in‑180 rule and work remotely within Spain under the Schengen visa waiver, on the condition that I don’t engage in any local business or receive payments from local companies.

Best neighbourhoods in Valéncia

I stayed in a neighbourhood called Jesús, just south‑west of the train station. It’s not often recommended, but I really liked it—it’s a lot cheaper to live, about a 30‑minute walk from the centre and much more authentic, which forced me to use Spanish daily and boosted my confidence. The main districts to check out are L’Eixample (home to the popular neighbourhood Russafa), Extramurs and Ciutat Vella (the old capital). The latter two are very popular—and as a result, expensive. If you want a boujee experience, go for one of these two; if you want to save money and experience something more authentic, try Jesús, Benimaclet or Patraix. One thing to remember: don’t overthink it, find a nice property you like and you’ll be amazed at how well the city is connected by bike paths.

Is Valéncia safe?

Valencia is super‑safe and I never once worried about being pick‑pocketed, unlike in Madrid or Barcelona. That said, if you’re out at night, you can always use Uber or Cabify. From my research, Benicalap and Poblats Maritims were suggested as two of the less safe districts, though I can’t comment from personal experience. Also, note that for Uber/Cabify there’s a strange rule: you can’t book them for your first 30 minutes within the city or when logging on for the first time—no idea why, but just take note.

Food and Drink

Food and drink in Valencia is second-to-none, I’m missing it now just thinking about it. I recommend trying any of the traditional markets—Mercat Central, Mercat de Russafa, Mercat de Colon, and others—for horchata, arroz al horno, tortillas, Iberian pork, and every Spanish dish you can imagine.

And yes, Valencia is the birthplace of Paella. Paella Valenciana (rabbit and chicken) is to die for—but not in the city centre. Venture out to a spot like El Palmar for a day trip, or try the famous Arrocería Maribel whose paella will make you feel like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVd6CnKLPgY

Sight-seeing

There is so much to see and do in Valencia, and no trip is complete without a visit to Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias—a futuristic complex that once served as the set for the excellent Disney movie, Tomorrowland. I also highly recommend a day trip to Huerto Ribera to see the home of Valencian oranges. For more recommendations, check out my Valencia Google Map.

When to visit Valencia

Head to Valencia during the shoulder months—March, April, October, or November. I went in October and enjoyed balmy days (25°C+) without the scorching heat of peak summer. Another benefit is fewer tourists; although October can still be busy, it’s far less hectic than July.

Favourite haunt

Honestly, the Science Museum stole my heart with its amazing space exhibit. Other great spots include Turia Park—a sprawling 8‑kilometre green oasis—and HUNDRED, home to the world’s best burger. Check out my favourite places on this map.

Staying active

Valencia is incredibly flat and full of parks, paths, and cycle lanes. The best place to run is Turia Park—an incredible green oasis perfect for a run or a walk. Valencia is also home to one of the famous SuperHalfs; if you can secure a spot, go for it.

Top Tips

• Visit during the shoulder months—it’s much milder
• Be a responsible nomad: avoid working from small, independent cafés
• Get a Valenbisi bike share: unlimited 30‑minute rides for €13/week; however, trust your internal compass over Google Maps for routes
• Buy a bono SUMA card for 10 metro/bus journeys at around €9–€10
• Consider basing yourself further from the centre to save on rent and enjoy a more local experience; Valencia’s rail network makes commuting a breeze

View more of my postcards from València, here