We take you to Valencia! This sunny city by the Mediterranean has been voted Green Capital 2024, making it a holiday destination that also fits perfectly on your greener list. From cycle paths along green parks to loads of gorgeous, sustainable restaurants. There are also too many green hearted hotels in this city to list them all, but we'll give it a shot. In short, in Valencia you can enjoy sun, sea, beach and green! In this article, we have collected the best sustainable Valencia tips with the help of locals. Vamos!
Valencia: a sustainable capital
In collaboration with Visit Valencia
Valencia is European Green Capital 2024 and for good reason. The city is fully committed to sustainability with green parks, car-free zones and numerous cycle paths. So as a sustainable traveller, it's also a good place to be here. Take the Turia Park, built in an old river bed, a green lung that runs straight through the city. Here you can cycle or walk past palm and orange trees, away from the traffic. On the culinary front, there is also plenty to taste. Many restaurants have even been awarded for their work with seasonal and local produce, and there are also plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, making sure you eat not only delicious but also responsibly here.
With more than 300 days of sunshine a year and an average temperature of around 20°C, Valencia is a wonderful European holiday destination all year round. Located on the Mediterranean, the city offers kilometres of beaches where you can relax after a day strolling through the historic centre. From the wide sandy beaches of Malvarrosa to the quieter coves nearby, you can easily last a week here and even then you will by no means have seen and done everything. But where should you be to experience the best of Valencia, including in terms of sustainability. We take you through.
Sun, sea, beach and so lots of Green in Valencia. Bottom left (with kids) is Parque Central. The picture on the right was taken in Jardi del Túria.
Sustainable doings in Valencia
Valencia is packed with sustainable activities that allow you to discover the city in a responsible way. Whether you like nature, culture or good food, there is something for everyone. We list the best sustainable tips for you:
- Jardà del Túria: This green lung of Valencia runs right through the city, offering kilometres of cycling and walking paths past palm trees and playgrounds. You'll definitely want to spend time here!
- Bioparc Valencia: an ecological zoo with a strong focus on nature conservation. Here you walk through lifelike habitats, from the savannah to the rainforest.
- Albufera National Park: just outside the city is this peaceful nature reserve with lakes, reed beds and lots of birds. Leave town and hire a boat to discover the origins of the famous paella.
- HORTA: Valencia's kitchen garden. This is where many local and organic products come from, which you will find in the city's markets. This beautiful green spot is also well worth a visit.
- Central Market: this market hall in a beautiful historic building is the place to go for sustainable and local produce. From fresh fruit to artisanal cheese, here you get everything straight from the producer.
Valencia tip: city bike and Valencia Tourist Card
Valencia is surprisingly compact and therefore great to explore on foot. Most sights are within walking distance of each other, especially in the historic centre with its narrow streets and cosy squares. Still, it is good to know that the beach and the old centre are not right next to each other. If you want to get ahead a bit faster, there are plenty of sustainable options too. With the Valencia Tourist Card you travel unlimited on buses, trams and metros. Plus, you get discounts on museums and monuments, making it a convenient AND green choice. Cycling is also an ideal way to explore the city. Valencia has an extensive network of cycle paths and through the bike share plan Valenbisi you can easily and quickly rent a sustainable city bike (for everyone from 14 years old). So you can effortlessly cycle along the Turia park, the boulevard or towards the beach.
Sustainable restaurants in Valencia
Valencia is known not only for its paella, but also for its many restaurants that opt for local and seasonal produce. The city has a strong position in the We're Smart Green Guide, an international guide that recognises sustainable and plant-based gastronomy. Instead of stars, the guide works with radishes: the more radishes a restaurant gets (from 1 to 5), the more sustainable and plant-based the dishes are. Whether you fancy a sophisticated dinner or a casual evening of tapas, in Valencia you can have it all and more sustainably. These are Valencia's sustainable restaurants, tipped by locals:
- Fierro: an intimate restaurant using local and seasonal ingredients. Here you will taste creative dishes that are also in the We're Smart Green Guide are recommended.
- Lienzo: known for its innovative cuisine and dishes with a sustainable twist. Vegetarian and vegan options are certainly not lacking here.
- Casa Montaña: a historic tavern serving local tapas and organic wines. The perfect place for a sustainable and atmospheric evening.
- Simposio (3 radishes): a sophisticated choice for lovers of vegetable dishes inspired by seasonal produce.
- Ma Khin Café: Asian flavours with a sustainable slant. Top : Lots of vegan and vegetarian dishes on the menu.
- La Barraca de Toni Montoliu (2 radishes): authentic Valencian dishes using produce straight from the land, including vegetarian options.
Not eaten out yet? Find more restaurant tips in Valencia in this article!
At the table at La Barraca de Toni Montoliu, authentic Valencian food. Local, seasonal and veg is possible! What a picture!
Sustainable accommodation in Valencia
With the Green Pact encourages Valencia hotels to operate more sustainably. This local initiative aims to make tourism more sustainable. Yes, you don't just become a European Green Capital for nothing of course! Hotels that participate invest in sustainable initiatives such as energy saving, water management, waste separation and the use of local and organic products in their restaurants. The hotels we tip below all participate in the pact.
- Caro Hotel: a five-star hotel located in a historic building, where sustainable initiatives such as energy efficiency and local products are central.
- Casual Hoteles: this chain offers several sustainable hotels in Valencia, including the Casual Vintage Hotel. Here you stay central and green, with attention to water saving and energy management.
- Casa Clarita: a small-scale accommodation with a homely atmosphere and a strong focus on local and sustainable products.
- Hotel SH Inglés Boutique: a charming boutique hotel that takes sustainability seriously, from energy-efficient lighting to organic breakfast options.
- Hotel Petit Palace Ruzafa: a hip hotel in a vibrant neighbourhood, with sustainable measures such as plastic-free products and energy-efficient rooms.
- MYR Hotel Palacio Vallier: luxury and sustainability go hand in hand here, with measures such as solar panels and local produce in the restaurant.
There is so much cool stuff in Valencia that we added to the list of sustainable places to sleep in Valencia in this article.
Sneak peak of Hotel SH Inglés, a beautiful boutique hotel that absolutely fits on your greener list.
Travelling to Valencia
For now, the plane is the fastest option to travel to Valencia, but there are - thankfully - more and more sustainable alternatives. For Dutch travellers, the train is becoming an attractive option. From 2026, you can travel from Amsterdam to Barcelona by night train. From Barcelona, you can easily transfer to the high-speed train to Valencia, which will get you there in about two hours. This way, you'll travel comfortably and green to Spain's sunniest city. By car, it is about 1,750 kilometres from Utrecht to Valencia, which also makes the city an ideal destination for a road trip. Along the way, you can stop in cities like Metz, Lyon and Barcelona, making the journey itself an adventure. Tips for cool stops on the way to southern Europe can be read here.
It is easy being green in Valencia!
With these tips in your pocket, you'll have everything you need to discover Valencia in a greener way. It is easy being green in Valencia! Whether you choose a sustainable hotel, nibble at a nice sustainable restaurant with one radish (or more) or explore the city by bike and public transport, there are plenty of opportunities to do things greener. With a mix of sun, culture and a good dose of green, Valencia is a wonderful destination all year round! Bonus tip: By coming during the less busy periods, you are also already making a sustainable move. In doing so, you will do not only yourself but also the locals a huge favour. So grab your sunglasses and passport and go experience for yourself why Valencia is proud to be a European green capital.
More sustainable travel tips in Europe
- Also see: A road trip to Tossa de Mar.
- Also see: the best thing about Bilbao.
- Also see: Lisbon with a green edge.
Photo credits: main image: photos 1 & 3: Visit Valencia, photo 2: Mark Neal (Pexels), Other in article: gallery 1: Visit Valencia, gallery 2: restaurant: La Barraca de Toni Montoliu, gallery 3: Hotel SH Inglés.
