In this guide · 5 sections
Valencia has plenty of places to stay, and they all cost less than in Madrid or Barcelona. Fewer international tourists come here, which means hotel prices are better and you won't usually find everything booked up. Unless, that is, you're visiting during Las Fallas or Pride week.
Where to Stay
Gay visitors who want to be near the Ruzafa scene should stay in Ruzafa or the next-door Eixample. You can walk to most gay bars and restaurants. The neighborhood also has its own good selection of cafes and restaurants for daytime.
The city center, near the historic old town and Cathedral, also works. It's a short taxi or bus ride to Ruzafa and puts you right by Valencia's main architecture. Hotels in the center are more common, from budget to mid-range to a few higher-end places.
La Malvarrosa beach is a third option for summer, if beach access is key. It's further from Ruzafa (about 30 minutes by public transport at night), but beachside hotels and apartments tend to be well-priced.
Gay-Specific and Gay-Friendly Options
Valencia doesn't have a lot of dedicated gay guesthouses like Sitges does. Most accommodation here is gay-friendly in a passive way. You won't have problems, but you probably won't find a guesthouse run explicitly for LGBTQ+ guests, with a pool and specific atmosphere, like Sitges specializes in. The city's more cosmopolitan mid-range hotels in Ruzafa and Eixample are the closest thing.
Las Fallas and Pride: Booking Windows
During Las Fallas (mid-March, usually the week ending March 19), accommodation prices jump and rooms disappear. The city gets a huge number of Spanish tourists for the festival. Book at least three months ahead for this time, ideally more. During Pride week in June, Ruzafa in particular fills up; booking one to six weeks ahead is usually enough, outside the hotel area right around the Pride events.
The Hotels
- El 16 Ruzafa — El 16 Ruzafa has air-conditioned apartments in Valencia, 27.4 km from Cheste. Cullera is 33.8 km away. It has free WiFi and private parking. All units have a satellite flat-screen TV. Some have a sitting and/or dining area. There's a kitchen with a dishwasher, oven, microwave, toaster, coffee machine, and kettle.
- — "Hotel Gay Valencia" is the first hotel made for the Gay Community. They aim to make your Valencia stay a wonderful experience. Free dating, fun, and enjoying the Mediterranean city are some of the best things to do here. They also offer packages that include accommodation, event organization, restaurant bookings, and tours. (open 24 hrs / 365 days a year).
- The River Hostel — This hostel is centrally located next to Turia Gardens, 5 minutes’ walk from Valencia Cathedral and Alameda Metro Station, which has direct airport trains. It has a 24-hour reception, free Wi-Fi, free parking nearby, and free luggage storage. Accommodation is in dorms or private rooms, all with shared male/female bathrooms. All have air conditioning and heating; most have a balcony. Sheets are free. Towels can be rented.
- — Centrally located next to Turia Gardens, The River Hostel is 5 minutes’ walk from Valencia Cathedral and Alameda Metro Station, which has direct airport trains. There is 24-hour reception, free Wi-Fi, free parking nearby and free luggage room. Accommodation is in dormitories or private rooms, all with shared bathroom facilities which are separate for males and females. All have air conditioning and heating, while most of them have balcony. Sheets are provided free of charge. Towels can be rented.
- Valencia Mindfulness Retreat — Bed and Breakfast Valencia Mindfulness Retreat has comfortable rooms and a Five Star Champagne Breakfast in the center of Valencia, next to Plaza Virgen in Barrio del Carmen. Yoga, massages, beaches. It's Tripadvisor's number one rated B&B.
- — Zenit Valencia has a central location across from Valencia’s Estación del Norte train station.
Practical Notes
Most mid-range and upscale hotels in Valencia take cards. Accommodation ranges from budget hostels near the train station to boutique hotels in the old town and Ruzafa. Air conditioning is standard in summer; most places have it. For more on Valencia, see the Gay Valencia Guide.