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

Should you visit Kyoto 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 Kyoto 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.

Kyoto

Kyoto is a fascinating, traditional, and historic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Valencia

Valencia is a coastal, cultural, and historic coastal city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kyoto and Valencia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kyoto or Valencia?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Valencia than Kyoto. While Kyoto is larger than Valencia, Valencia has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Valencia is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, hiking, and big city activities, while Kyoto is more popular for its museums. Kyoto is well known for its Buddhist temples, cultural activities, and rich history. Valencia is well known for its rich cultural, world class museums, beautiful old town, and local cuisine (which includes paella). Also, Valencia is famous for La Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències.

How is Kyoto different from Valencia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Kyoto 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 Kyoto are among the most recognizable in the world. With its long-running history, there are many traditional buildings and temples in town. Nijo Castle is stunning to explore, but also make sure you visit the Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine, the Golden Pavilion, and Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

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 Kyoto or Valencia? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Valencia is renowned for its restaurant scene. Also, Kyoto is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Many restaurants in Valencia have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.

Kyoto has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The local cuisine is as beautiful as it is delicious. There is a long running history to many of the dishes, and the recipes are expertly prepared by world class chefs at many of the restaurants. You can enjoy everything from a tea ceremony to multi-course meals, referred to as kyo kaiseki.

Is Kyoto or Valencia Better for Nightlife?

Valencia is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Kyoto is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Valencia is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Kyoto has a few options to choose from. While it isn't known for its wild nightlife scene, there is a relaxed and active energy in the evenings here. You can visit the beautiful Arashiyama Kimono Forest or explore some of the riverfront areas such as Kamo Riverside.

Is Kyoto or Valencia Better for Resorts?

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

With a selection of resorts, Valencia makes a nice vacation spot. 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.

Kyoto is not a resort destination.

Is Kyoto or Valencia Better for Beaches?

Valencia is a coastal city with good options for the beache. However, Kyoto 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.

Kyoto is not a beach destination.

Is Kyoto or Valencia Better for its Old Town?

Both Kyoto and Valencia have first-rate historic old towns worth visiting.

The old town of Kyoto is one of the most recognized in the world. This is among the most historic cities in Japan and there are many traditional buildings and temples. Higashiyama is filled with interesting districts and it has many UNESCO World Heritage temples.

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

Is Kyoto or Valencia Better for Hiking?

Valencia is a coastal city with good options for its hiking experiences. However, Kyoto 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.

Kyoto is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kyoto or Valencia?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Valencia and Kyoto.

Kyoto is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There's a mix of modern shopping venues and traditional boutiques. Shijo Street is a popular shopping area, as is the area around JR Kyoto Station.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in 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 Kyoto or Valencia Better for Families?

Both Kyoto and Valencia are high quality to visit with kids.

Kyoto is a very kid-friendly city. Kids will enjoy exploring Nijo Castle as much as adults. If the weather isn't great, you can head to the Kyoto International Manga Museum which is a bit like a library and is perfect for Manga fans. There are also markets to explore such as the Nishiki Markets, which are lined with shops and restaurants.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Valencia. 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.

Is Kyoto or Valencia Better for Couples?

Kyoto is an amazing city to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Valencia is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Kyoto has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This is one of the most historic cities in Japan, and it has many romantic neighborhoods where you can enjoy the atmosphere. Visit Sanneizaka Slope for its traditional shops and restaurants or take a ride on the Sagano Romantic Train. Other romantic highlights include Kimono Forest, which is an art exhibit, and Suzumushidera Temple.

Valencia is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Is Kyoto or Valencia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Kyoto is a great city to visit for backpackers. It's a popular destination in Japan and there are plenty of hostels and free activities that backpackers can enjoy.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Valencia. 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 Kyoto or Valencia Better for Students?

Valencia is renowned for students. Also, Kyoto 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 Kyoto. It's a great student city with world class universities and a large student population.

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

Kyoto 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.

Kyoto has some very good public transit options. The city has an extensive system of trains, subways, and buses that make it easy to get around.

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 Kyoto or Valencia a more walkable city?

Kyoto is an amazing city to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Valencia is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Kyoto on foot is easy. It's one of the most walkable cities in Japan and there are many sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly areas.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Valencia or Kyoto?

How long in Kyoto or Valencia?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kyoto and Valencia. In our opinion, Valencia has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Valencia than Kyoto. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Valencia than Kyoto 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 Kyoto or Valencia?

The beautiful city of Kyoto offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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.

Each neighborhood in Valencia has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Kyoto or Valencia?

Kyoto is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Kyoto, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Valencia. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Kyoto or Valencia?

Kyoto is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Valencia is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the big city destination of Valencia. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Kyoto or Valencia?

Kyoto is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

You'll find food and shopping around the historic big city of Valencia. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kyoto and Valencia, we can see that Valencia is more expensive. And not only is Kyoto much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kyoto 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 Kyoto would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kyoto 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 Kyoto.

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

Which is Bigger, Kyoto or Valencia?

Kyoto has a larger population, and is about 81% larger than the population of Valencia. When comparing the sizes of Kyoto 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 Kyoto 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 Kyoto or Valencia in the Summer?

Both Valencia and Kyoto are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Kyoto 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.

Kyoto is around the same temperature as Valencia in the summer. The daily temperature in Kyoto averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Valencia fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

It's quite sunny in Valencia. Kyoto usually receives less sunshine than Valencia during summer. Kyoto gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Valencia receives 303 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Kyoto. In July, Kyoto usually receives more rain than Valencia. Kyoto gets 236 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Valencia receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kyoto or Valencia in the Autumn?

Both Valencia and Kyoto during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Kyoto 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.

In the autumn, Kyoto is around the same temperature as Valencia. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kyoto in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Valencia averages at about 19°C (66°F).

In the autumn, Kyoto often gets less sunshine than Valencia. Kyoto gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valencia receives 198 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kyoto. Kyoto usually gets more rain in October than Valencia. Kyoto gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Valencia receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kyoto or Valencia in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Kyoto in the winter. In January, Kyoto is generally much colder than Valencia. Daily temperatures in Kyoto average around 5°C (40°F), and Valencia fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Kyoto usually receives less sunshine than Valencia during winter. Kyoto gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Valencia receives 162 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kyoto usually receives more rain than Valencia. Kyoto gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Valencia receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kyoto or Valencia in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kyoto as well as Valencia. Many travelers come to Kyoto 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.

Kyoto is around the same temperature as Valencia in the spring. The daily temperature in Kyoto averages around 14°C (58°F) in April, and Valencia fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valencia. In the spring, Kyoto often gets less sunshine than Valencia. Kyoto gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valencia receives 213 hours of full sun.

Kyoto receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kyoto usually gets more rain in April than Valencia. Kyoto gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Valencia receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Valencia and Kyoto