Wanna get to Valencia’s Beaches by Public Transport? Of course you do!
At Euroace, we notice a clear pattern with our students. As soon as they finish their Spanish classes or log off from their internships, they head straight to the beach. We want to help you make the most of your time in Spain, and part of that means learning to get around like a local.
You do not need to rent a car to find the best beaches near Valencia. Taking the metro, bus, or train is cheap and easy. Whether you are here for a few weeks or a full semester, we put together this Valencia public transport guide for students to show you exactly how to visit Valencia beaches by public transport.
But first…
How to Buy a SUMA Transport Card in Valencia?
Before you pack your beach bag, you need to know how to pay for your trips. As a student or intern at Euroace, you will likely use public transport every day. Depending on where you live and where your internship is located, you have two main options: the SUMA Card and the Cercanías Monthly Pass.
Here is exactly how to get them and how to choose the right one for your stay.
How to Get a SUMA Card The SUMA card is a reusable pass that combines the metro, tram, and EMT city buses. It is not linked to a specific person, so anyone can use it. Just head to any metro station (not a Renfe train station) and follow these steps:
- Tap the screen and change the language to English.
- Select Purchase.
- Choose SUMA 10 (this gives you 10 one-way trips).
- Select Zone A (this covers the entire city center and the city beaches, including Gandía).
- Choose your payment method.
- Print your receipt if you need one.
Note: If your accommodation is further outside the city center, you might need a pass that covers more zones. The ticket machine will show you a map of the available areas when you purchase your card.
How to Get a Cercanías Monthly Pass (Abono Mensual) If you are commuting outside the city for your internship or planning frequent trips to coastal towns, the Renfe Monthly Pass might be a better deal. This pass is personal, linked to your ID, and valid only for trains. Go to a Renfe train station (like Estació del Nord or Valencia Cabanyal) and follow these steps:
- Change the ticket machine language to English.
- Select the option for ABONO MENSUAL.
- Enter a Spanish phone number.
- Select your destination station by typing it on the screen.
- Enter your passport or ID card number.
- Pay and grab your receipt.
Which Option is Best for You? We recommend comparing your daily commute needs before buying.
- Choose the Cercanías Train Monthly Pass if you commute daily to a town outside Valencia using only the Renfe train. Remember, this pass does not work on city buses or the metro.
- Choose the SUMA Card if you live and work within the city. It gives you the ultimate flexibility to jump between the metro, tram, and buses on a single trip.
If you want to check train schedules for your beach trips, you can always search your route on the official Renfe website. Make sure to use Valencia Nord or Valencia Cabanyal as your starting point.
Now that you have your transport sorted, let’s look at the best beach destinations!
How to get to Valencia’s Beaches by Public Transport
1. Malvarrosa & Patacona: Valencia Beaches by Public Transport
If you want to stay in the city, Playa de la Malvarrosa and Playa de la Patacona are your best options. Both are wide, sandy, and very accessible. Go to the beach through this link!
Malvarrosa has a lively promenade full of traditional restaurants where you can grab a weekend paella with your Euroace classmates. The Patacona is just a short walk north and has a more relaxed vibe with great cafes and beach bars. Both are great for an afternoon trip or a quick volleyball game.
How to get there:
- By Tram: Take the Metrovalencia Tram Line 4 or Line 6 and get off at Les Arenes or Eugènia Viñes. The stops are right next to the sand. From the city centre, take the metro line 9 or 3 to the Benimaclet stop. Alternatively, you can also get to the tram line La Carrasca stop using bus line 71.
- By Bus (EMT): Valencia’s red city buses are also a great option. Line 92 and Line 32 go directly from the center to the Malvarrosa promenade. If you are going straight to Patacona, take Line 31.
Euroace Tip: Make sure to use the SUMA card. If you travel in the same direction, changing in between transports still counts as the same journey on your card.
2. El Saler & Albufera: How to Get to El Saler from Valencia
If you want a break from the city, El Saler is the place to go. It sits inside the Albufera Natural Park and is famous for its natural sand dunes and Mediterranean pine forests. It is much quieter than Malvarrosa and feels like a complete escape into nature. Go to the beach through this link!
A lot of our students ask us how to get to El Saler from Valencia because it looks far on the map, but it is actually very simple.
How to get there:
- By Bus (EMT): Go to the Porta de la Mar stop near the city center and catch the EMT yellow bus Line 24 or Line 25.
- The Stop: Get off at the Pinars or Platja del Saler stops. The ride takes about 40 minutes and drops you off right next to a short, scenic walking path that leads directly to the sand.
3. Gandía Beach: Taking the Valencia to Gandia Train
Gandía is one of the most popular beach towns in the region. It has miles of fine white sand and plenty of places to eat or hang out. Because it is so accessible, it is easily one of the best day trips from Valencia by train. Go to the beach through this link!
How to get there:
Getting there is not a mystery. You can use the SUMA to get up to Gandía and back, then you’ll just have to buy a bus ticket.
- By Train: Go to Estación del Nord in the city center. Buy a ticket for the Valencia to Gandía train on the Cercanías C-1 line. The trip takes about an hour and runs right along the coast.
- By Local Bus: When you arrive at the Gandía train station, step outside and catch the yellow local bus at Valldigna – Hotel Tres Anclas stop, using Line 2. It drops you right at the beach promenade in about 15 minutes. You will have to buy a bus ticket when you get to Gandía, as the SUMA card doesn’t work there. However, a one way Gandía local Bus ticket will cost you under 2€.
- Travel with Euroace! Check out Euroace’s cultural activities each month, we offer Gandía visits all year round, with include a tour of the town and the Ducal Palace!
4. Benidorm: The Alicante Escape
If you want to explore outside the Valencia province, heading south to Benidorm is a great idea. It is famous for its tall skyline, crystal clear water, and two massive beaches called Levante and Poniente. It is a favorite weekend spot for our students looking for a bigger beach city and great nightlife. Go to the beach through this link!
How to get there:
- By Bus (ALSA): Go to the main Valencia Bus Station near the Turia metro stop. Buy a ticket for the direct ALSA bus heading to Benidorm. The trip takes a bit over two hours.
- By Local Bus: The ALSA bus drops you at the Benidorm Bus Station. From there, take local bus Line 3 or Line 4. They will drop you straight at the beachfront in under 10 minutes.
5. Peñíscola: The Historic Getaway
Heading north into Castellón brings you to one of the most beautiful towns in Spain. Peñíscola is famous because its historic center and medieval castle sit right on a rocky peninsula in the sea. The main beach is huge and lets you swim while looking right up at the castle. It takes longer to get there, but that’s no reason to miss it! Go to the beach through this link!
How to get there:
- By Train: Head to Estació del Nord in Valencia. Buy a ticket for a Renfe Regional train going to the Benicarló-Peñíscola station. The train ride takes about an hour and a half.
- By Local Bus: The train station is in the neighboring town of Benicarló. Just exit the station and catch the waiting local bus. It takes you directly to the Peñíscola beach and castle in about 15 minutes.
- By Bus: You can take a bus from Valencia’s Bus Station straight to Peñiscola using private bus companies such as Hife for a hassle free journey.
- Travel with Euroace! Check out Euroace’s cultural activities each month, we offer Peñiscola visits all year round, with include a tour of the town and a visit to Peñiscola’s castle!
Valencia Public Transport Tips FAQ
You’ll probably be fine using just Google Maps, however, you’ll find the following apps to be a great help:
– EMT Valencia: The official city bus app. It provides real-time bus tracking, route planning, and vital live service alerts.
– EMTicket: Allows you to buy EMT bus tickets directly (and cheaper) on your phone. It activates via a QR code you show the driver, meaning you don’t need to carry cash.
– Metrovalencia: Use it to check offline maps, verify timetables, and monitor station crowding.
– RecargaSUMA: ANDROID ONLY. If you already own a SUMA card, this app lets you top up your balance instantly using your phone’s NFC reader.
– Renfe Cercanías: It allows you to check real-time timetables, view line maps, receive incident alerts, and purchase or manage tickets and passes.
Your SUMA card works perfectly for EMT buses and the metro within the city limits. However, you need to buy a separate ticket at the station for Renfe Cercanías or Regional trains going to places like Gandía or Peñíscola.
Train and bus frequencies often drop on Saturdays and Sundays. Always check the departure times before you leave the house so you do not get stuck waiting.
Yes! If you forget your SUMA card, all EMT city buses in Valencia accept contactless payments. You can just tap your credit card or phone when you get on. Keep in mind this does not apply to the metro or Renfe trains, where you must buy a physical ticket at the machine before boarding or use the SUMA.
Renting a bike is a great way to explore the coast once you arrive. You can take your bicycle on Metrovalencia and Renfe Cercanías trains, but there are a few rules. During weekdays, try to avoid busy rush hours. On weekends, it is usually much easier to bring your bike aboard.
For the Cercanías train to Gandía, you do not need to book in advance. You just buy your ticket at the station before you board. However, for longer trips on ALSA buses to Benidorm or Regional trains to Peñíscola, it is highly recommended to buy your tickets online a few days early, especially during the busy summer months.
Absolutely. If you stay late for dinner or drinks at Malvarrosa or Patacona, Valencia has a great night bus network. Some EMT buses run throughout the night, so you can easily and safely get back to the city center well past midnight.
The regular lines you took to get to the beach, such as Line 19, Line 32, and Line 93, act as night buses after normal hours.
Start Your Valencia Adventure
Exploring the Mediterranean coast is easy when you know how the system works. Getting around without a car gives you the freedom to see the best parts of the region while living exactly like a local.
Looking to improve your Spanish while enjoying the beach lifestyle? At Euroace, we offer Spanish language courses, internships, and cultural activities designed to help you immerse yourself in the culture among many other things. Check out our programs on our website and start planning your trip to Valencia today.
