Ins and outs of where to stay in Valencia?
Are you coming to Valencia but still don’t know where to stay? Having problems finding suitable accommodation? Looking for accommodation in a city you’ve never been to can be difficult and tiresome… So we decided to give you some useful information on the different options available when it comes to looking for accommodation in Valencia.
Apartments
Are you looking for a flatshare? You can contact some companies which are widely used by local and international exchange students such as Beroomers, HousingAnywhere and Erasmusu.
You can also find Facebook groups where you can post an ad or view offers from other students who have a spare room and want to rent it out. Rent prices vary depending on the area… but if you spend enough time researching, you can find some spare rooms for less than 200 euros per month (bills included)! You’ll find that compared to other major cities, Valencia can be relatively cheap!
But remember, try to stay in a hotel first or something similar in order to visit apartments and rooms before renting them, so you don’t get cheated. NEVER pay money in advance to avoid possible scamming. Make sure the apartment has proper windows and, if you’re staying over summer season, air conditioning is a must so check that it has it. Some hotels/ hostels to begin with are Home Youth Hostel, Home Backpackers or Center Valencia Youth Hostel.
Student Halls
Unlike other countries in Europe, it’s not typical to stay in Student Accommodation/ Halls in Spain. However, you can find some of them near the University area of the city such as Galileo Galilei, Colegio Mayor Albalat, Ausias March and the RESA. They include laundry and cleaning services and some of them even have a gym and daily meals provided.
City Areas
So, what’s the best area to live in? …Well, Valencia has many neighborhoods and each of them have a different vibe with different assets…
If you’re looking for something cheap, we would recommend looking to live in Xúquer, Cedro or Benimaclet. These neighborhoods are normally home to students as they are close to the universities and some of the most famous nightclubs. Restaurants prices are pretty affordable here and the public transport connections are top notch; taking you to the city centre or the beach in no time.
We would also advise you to look at the Ruzafa neighborhood. This trendy part of town is only a 10 minute walk from the center and the people there, on average, are usually older and have a significantly higher income. In this area you can find many restaurants, a big market and great nightlife with live music.
What’s more, we feel El Carmen neighborhood should not be overlooked as it is another cool and trendy place to live, especially if you’re an exchange student. It is home to the old city centre of Valencia but over recent decades it has been renovated which gives it a vintage feel. El Carmen has many restaurants, bars, shops and “garitos”, mixing the old peculiarities of the neighborhood with a modern twist.
Home Stays
If you’re an exchange student and you’d like a full Spanish experience, then home stays can be found in Valencia. We advise looking for home stays with credible agencies to make sure families are professional, friendly and hospitable in every way. Check out our accommodation page for info on home stays and more!