Car hire in Valencia

City of Arts and the rice fields of the Albufera

Valencia has that rare virtue of fitting into a weekend while never running out of things to offer. The old town is walked on foot between the Lonja de la Seda and the Central Market, and within twenty minutes you can have your feet in the sand at Malvarrosa. In between, the old Turia riverbed turned into a garden and, in the background, the white silhouette of the City of Arts and Sciences reflected in its pools.

That said, the best of Valencia begins where the tourist bus ends. Fifteen minutes to the south lies the Albufera, with its rice paddies, its boats and the most photographed sunsets in the region. To the north, coves and fishing villages; inland, castles, vineyards and mountain ranges almost nobody visits. With a hire car, all of that stops being an organised excursion and simply becomes your afternoon.

Hiring a car in Valencia also makes practical sense: distances are short, the roads are in good condition, and in less than an hour behind the wheel the landscape changes completely. You can have horchata for breakfast in Alboraia, a paella by the sea in El Palmar and dinner watching the illuminated castle of Peñíscola or Xàtiva. Few Spanish cities reward the freedom of having your own keys quite so richly.

Car Hire at Valencia Airport →Search cars in Valencia

Day trips from Valencia

The Albufera and El Palmar — ~25 min to the south: endless rice paddies, a boat trip at sunset and the most serious rice dishes in the area. The essential drive from Valencia.
Sagunto and its castle — ~30 min to the north, a castle crowning kilometres of walls above a Roman theatre. Views of the Mediterranean and a charming old town without the crowds.
Xàtiva — ~45 min inland: one of the most spectacular castles in the region, perched on a double hill, and a historic centre steeped in Borgia history.
Requena and the wine route — ~50 min via the A-3: wineries of the Utiel-Requena D.O., medieval caves beneath the town and cured meats that alone justify the trip.
Caves of San José (La Vall d'Uixó) — ~40 min to the north, the longest navigable underground river in Europe: an underground boat ride that surprises everyone, with or without children.
Peñíscola — ~1 hr 15 min via the AP-7: the castle of Papa Luna overlooking the sea and a whitewashed old town of steep streets. Perfect for a full day on the coast.

A perfect day behind the wheel

Breakfast of horchata and fartons in Alboraia, ten minutes from the centre, before the sun and the crowds arrive.

10:30

Drive north to Sagunto: climb to the castle, the Roman theatre and views of the Mediterranean while the morning is still cool.

14h

Head down to the Albufera via the V-31: arroz del senyoret or all i pebre in El Palmar, at a leisurely Valencian pace.

17:30

A boat trip on the lagoon or a walk among dunes and pines in the Devesa de El Saler.

20h

Back to the city at dusk, ending in front of the illuminated City of Arts, reflected in the water.

🚦 Driving in Valencia — what you need to know

LEZ 2026 : the historic centre applies restrictions to vehicles without an emissions badge; hire cars comply.
V-30 and the port : heavy traffic at rush hour; for the beach, use the Marina car parks.

Getting around

For the historic centre, forget the car: the streets of Ciutat Vella are narrow, many pedestrianised, and everything can be covered on foot or by bike along the Turia garden. Leave it in a covered car park near the City of Arts or the station and travel light.
Save the car for what truly needs it: the Albufera and El Palmar, the southern beaches such as El Saler, the inland villages and the coast of Castellón or Alicante. There, public transport is scarce or slow, and a car multiplies what you can see in a day.
If your accommodation is outside the centre (Patacona, the beach area, the outskirts), a car gives you enormous convenience for coming and going at your own pace, especially at night, when transport frequencies drop.

When to go

Valencia is kind almost all year round: mild winters with plenty of sunny days and springs perfect for the road. In March, Las Fallas fills the city, and it's best to park the car and experience it on foot. July and August bring intense heat and humidity, ideal for escapes to the beaches and the cooler interior. September and October, with fewer crowds and the sea still warm, are perhaps the best-kept secret.

Your pick-up

Valencia Airport (Manises), Joaquín Sorolla station and city offices.

Final prices in euros · book without paying · free cancellation up to 72 h before.

Frequently asked questions

Is it worth hiring a car if I'm only visiting central Valencia?

For the centre itself, no: it's better enjoyed on foot and by bike. The car makes sense if you want the Albufera, the southern beaches, inland villages or the Castellón coast. Many travellers hire one for just two or three days of getaways.

Where can I park hassle-free when I get back from an excursion?

The easiest options are the covered public car parks beside the City of Arts, the nearby shopping centre or the stations. On the street, much of the centre is a regulated zone, so a car park spares you circling and nasty surprises.

Is it better to pick up the car at the airport or in the city?

It depends on your plans: if you're heading straight to the coast or inland, Manises airport saves you driving into the city. If you're spending a few days sightseeing first, collecting it later in the city is usually more practical and relaxed.

See prices in Valencia

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