A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Beijing vs. Valencia for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Beijing or Valencia?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Beijing and Valencia can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Beijing

Beijing is a fascinating, historic, and massive city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Beijing is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Beijing travel costs.

Valencia

Valencia is a coastal, cultural, and historic coastal city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. The famous beauty of Valencia is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Valencia travel costs.

Beijing and Valencia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or Valencia?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Beijing than Valencia, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Beijing is more popular for its museums and attractions and big city activities, while Valencia is known for its nightlife, resorts, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty. Beijing is more touristy than Valencia and is known for its rich culture, many historical landmarks, its long running history, and its world class cuisine. It is also home to The Forbidden City. Valencia is popular for its rich cultural, world class museums, beautiful old town, and local cuisine (which includes paella).

How is Beijing different from Valencia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Valencia and Beijing. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Beijing or Valencia?

Beijing is an amazing city to visit for its museums and landmarks. Also, Valencia is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Beijing are among the most recognizable in the world. The city is filled with iconic landmarks including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and The Temple of Heaven. It's also essential that you plan a trip outside of town to the world renowned Great Wall of China. The trip takes about an hour and you can organize a tour through almost any hotel or tour company.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Valencia. The city is famous for its architecture and culture. Most of the main attractions are concentrated in Ciutat Vella and can be easily accessed on foot. Notable landmarks include La Lonja de Seda, Catedral de València, and Plaza de la Virgen. There are also several world class museums including Oceanogràfic de València and La Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències de València.

Is the Food Better in Beijing or Valencia? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Beijing and Valencia can be an enjoyable experience.

Many restaurants in Beijing have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The city has a number of iconic dishes that have put it on the culinary map. The most notable dish is Peking Duck, which is a delectable crispy roast duck that is usually served with cucumber, scallions, sweet bean sauce and pancakes or other steamed buns. Hot pots are another must-try experience in the city, and, of course, you have to experience the dumplings. A huge part of a visit to Beijing is experiencing its long running culinary history.

Eat your way through Valencia, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city is famous as the birthplace of paella, which is one of Spain's most famous dishes. Beyond the paella, there are a number of other amazing traditional dishes. Fideuà is similar to paella but made with noodles instead of rice. All i pebre is an eel and potato dish and clóchinas are tiny local mussels. For dessert make sure you try the flan de calabaza, which is pumpkin flavored. Many restaurants also have tapas that can be shared. Restaurants in the old town are charming and delicious, but out by the beaches the quality isn't as good.

Is Beijing or Valencia Better for Nightlife?

Valencia is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

The nightlife in Valencia is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. Dinner starts late, so you can expect the nightlife to pick up even later. During the summer there are all night terrace parties and year round you'll find nightclubs filled from evening to dawn. If all night raves aren't really your thing, you'll also find plenty of local bars where you can hang out with friends in a more relaxed setting. The nightlife scene really is varied enough that there's something for everyone.

The nightlife in Beijing has something for everybody. Live performances are popular in the city, and range from concerts to magic shows and acrobatics. There is also an active bar scene around town. Some of the most popular nightlife areas include Sanlitun and Houhai.

Is Beijing or Valencia Better for Resorts?

Valencia is a coastal city with good options for its resorts. However, Beijing is not a resort destination.

Valencia has a few great resort options. You can choose between staying near the old town (Ciutat Vella) or out by the beach. One of the best beach areas is El Cabanyal. It's still close enough in to be well connected by public transit but offers a great coastal vibe as well.

Beijing is not a resort destination.

Is Beijing or Valencia Better for Beaches?

Valencia is a coastal city with good options for the beach. However, Beijing is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Valencia. There are several urban beaches in town that are accessible by public transit. Many offer surprisingly long stretches of sand with wide beaches and plenty of activity. The beaches can get crowded during the summer months, but they are generally large enough to accommodate the crowds. La Malvarrosa Beach is one of the most popular because of its proximity to the city. El Saler Beach is further out and popular with the locals and Port Saplaya is a colorful area with shopping and beaches.

Beijing is not a beach destination.

Is Beijing or Valencia Better for its Old Town?

Valencia is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. However, Beijing does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Valencia offers plenty to see. For culture, history, and the majority of the city's attractions, you'll want to spend your time in Ciutat Vella (old town).

Beijing does not have a historic old town.

Is Beijing or Valencia Better for Hiking?

Valencia is a coastal city with good options for its hiking experiences. However, Beijing is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Valencia. Most people miss out on the beautiful hikes through the nearby countryside, but if you venture out of town you can enjoy some beautiful walking trails. Many run along the coastline or pass through rolling hills. There is varied landscape in the area with pine forests, orange groves, and vineyards all common.

Beijing is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or Valencia?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Valencia and Beijing.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Beijing. There are many unique handicrafts that you can purchase around town. Popular souvenirs include silk, pearls, and snuff bottles with pictures inside. The city has many shopping streets as well as markets and shopping malls that are worth visiting.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Valencia. As the third largest city in Spain, you'll find most designer brands around town. The main shopping street is Calle Colon where you'll find the well-known European brands mixed in with the lesser-known Spanish brands. For a more local experience head to Mercado Central where you'll find local produce, colorful seafood, and a unique foodie vibe.

Is Beijing or Valencia More Beautiful?

Valencia is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The famous beauty of Valencia is one of the main draws. With its impressive architecture and coastal setting, it's really hard not to fall in love with this city's beauty.

Beijing is a gorgeous place to visit. The parks, gardens, palaces, and temples all offer a glimpse into the past, while also letting you enjoy the city and culture that exists today.

Is Beijing or Valencia Better for Families?

Valencia is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Valencia is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has some kid-friendly museums, an impressive zoo, and the largest aquarium in Europe (with its own dolphin show). Head to the Science Museum or simply wander around the museum complex. There are water activities and a beautiful futuristic style that attracts families and influencers with its photogenic atmosphere. There are also countless playgrounds of all sizes around town and a number of parks and outdoor spaces where kids can run around. There's a city park that runs through town and has playgrounds and bike trails. You can also spend a fun-filled day at the beach.

Beijing offers lots of family activities. The city offers a unique cultural immersion that kids and adults can enjoy. Wander through the Forbidden City or watch your kids be mesmerized by a Chinese acrobatics show. It's also fun to get lost in the Hutongs or test their culinary palates by visiting a snack street.

Is Beijing or Valencia Better for Couples?

Valencia is a great destination for couples. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Valencia frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city is filled with interesting culture, beautiful weather, and delightful cuisine. There are sandy beaches and luxury hotels that will make for an amazing romantic getaway. There are also many beautiful gardens and charming neighborhoods that you can explore. Couples can split a paella and sip sangrias in one of the many charming restaurants around town.

Beijing is a nice destination for couples. The culture, history, and food all make this a stunning place to visit. While romance doesn't immediately spring to mind when you think of Beijing, there are shows and fine dining restaurants that couples will enjoy. There are also many luxury hotels with spas and other amenities.

Is Beijing or Valencia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Beijing and Valencia are high quality places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Beijing is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. The city has many hostels and budget-friendly options. There isn't the backpacker community vibe that you may get in other Asian cities, but if you organize an excursion through your hostel, you're sure to make a few friends along the way.

Valencia is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's often overlooked for more popular destinations, but this city has plenty to offer in the form of affordable accommodation and food as well as interesting sights.

Is Beijing or Valencia Better for Students?

Valencia is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Valencia is a very popular coastal city for students. The city is young and vibrant with a lot of culture and beautiful neighborhoods. It's also well connected to the rest of Spain with a convenient central train station.

Many students visit Beijing. Students will enjoy the culture, food, and academic opportunities that the universities offer. There is also a decent nightlife scene and affordable places where students can live.

Is Beijing or Valencia Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Beijing is well known for its public transit. Also, Valencia is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Beijing has some very good public transit options. The system can be crowded and confusing at first, but it's one of the most convenient and affordable ways to get around town. There's a subway system as well as buses, trolleybuses, and suburban rail.

While Valencia offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Public transit is available in the form of buses and a tram/metro system but the system isn't as comprehensive as it could be and much of the city is surprisingly dependent on cars.

Is Beijing or Valencia a more walkable city?

Valencia is a great destination for its ease of walking around. However, Beijing is a city with minimal options for its walkability.

Valencia is a very walkable destination. Walking is the best way to explore many parts of the city and you can walk from one side of the Ciutat Vella to the other in about 20 minutes. This area is where you'll find most of the city's main attractions. There are other neighborhoods that are a bit less pedestrian-friendly.

Beijing is generally not a very walkable city. While parts of the city are fun to explore on foot, the city itself is very large with long blocks that aren't pedestrian-friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is Beijing Worth Visiting? and Is Valencia Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Valencia or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or Valencia?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Beijing and Valencia. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Beijing than in Valencia. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Beijing, and 2-3 days is enough time in Valencia.

Families should spend more time in Valencia than Beijing. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Valencia, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Valencia than Beijing. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Valencia that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Valencia than Beijing if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Valencia.

One day in Beijing or Valencia?

Beijing is a big city with plenty to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Valencia, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This coastal city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Beijing or Valencia?

Beijing is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Valencia, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Valencia has to offer.

Five days in Beijing or Valencia?

Beijing is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Beijing, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Valencia is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Beijing or Valencia?

Beijing is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Beijing has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Valencia. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Valencia. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Madrid, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beijing and Valencia, we can see that Valencia is more expensive. And not only is Beijing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beijing is in Asia and Valencia is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Beijing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beijing and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Valencia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Valencia than you might in Beijing.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Beijing Expensive? and Is Valencia Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Beijing or Valencia?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Valencia. When comparing the sizes of Beijing and Valencia, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Beijing or Valencia?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Beijing or Valencia in the Summer?

Both Valencia and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Beijing for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Valencia because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Beijing is generally around the same temperature as Valencia. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 27°C (80°F), and Valencia fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

It's quite sunny in Valencia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives less sunshine than Valencia during summer. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Valencia receives 303 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Beijing. In July, Beijing usually receives more rain than Valencia. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Valencia receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Beijing or Valencia in the Autumn?

Both Valencia and Beijing during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Beijing because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Valencia this time of year.

Beijing is cooler than Valencia in the autumn. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Valencia fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the autumn, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Valencia. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valencia receives 198 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in October than Valencia. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Valencia receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Valencia in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Valencia. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Beijing this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Valencia for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Beijing in the winter. In the winter, Beijing is much colder than Valencia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Beijing in January average around -4°C (26°F), and Valencia averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Valencia during winter. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Valencia receives 162 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Beijing usually receives less rain than Valencia. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Valencia receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Beijing or Valencia in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Valencia. Many travelers come to Beijing for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Valencia in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In April, Beijing is generally around the same temperature as Valencia. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (57°F), and Valencia fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valencia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the spring, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Valencia. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valencia receives 213 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in April than Valencia. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Valencia receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Valencia and Beijing