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

Should you visit Valencia or Venice?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Valencia or Venice, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Valencia

Valencia is a architectural, friendly, and coastal coastal city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Venice

Venice is a magical, historic, and beautiful city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Valencia and Venice: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valencia or Venice?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Valencia than Venice, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Valencia is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, hiking, and big city activities, while Venice is known for its museums, shopping, and quaint atmosphere. Venice is more touristy than Valencia and is popular for its many canals, famous gondolas, iconic architecture, romantic squares, and beautiful bridges. Valencia is popular for its rich cultural, world class museums, beautiful old town, and local cuisine (which includes paella). It is also home to La Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències.

How is Valencia different from Venice?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Venice 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 Venice are among the most recognizable in the world. The many historic and famous landmarks in town include St. Mark's Basilica, St. Mark's Square, Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge.

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 Valencia or Venice? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Valencia is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Venice is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Valencia has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.

Venice offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. For the best dining experience, you should try to avoid the touristy restaurants that serve the typical pizza and pasta. Instead, find a local eatery that specializes in the region's traditional flavors like fish and vegetables.

Is Valencia or Venice Better for Nightlife?

Valencia is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. However, Venice is not a good destination for nightlife.

People head to Valencia just to party. 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.

Most people don't head to Venice specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. If you want to party, your best option is to head to the Lido area where you'll find night clubs and bars. A better alternative for enjoying your evening is to order a late night meal and a glass of wine at a local restaurant in Venice.

Is Valencia or Venice Better for Resorts?

Valencia is very good for its luxury resorts. However, Venice 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.

Venice is not a resort destination.

Is Valencia or Venice Better for Beaches?

Valencia is very good for the beach. However, Venice is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Valencia to enjoy the beach. 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.

Venice is not a beach destination.

Is Valencia or Venice Better for its Old Town?

Valencia and Venice both have terrific historical old towns that attract visitors.

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).

Venice has a world-famous historical area. The city's historic area is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, colorful buildings, are world-renowned architecture, make this among the most recognized historic settings in the world.

Is Valencia or Venice Better for Hiking?

Valencia is very good for hiking. However, Venice is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting 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.

Venice is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Valencia or Venice?

Venice is an amazing city to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Valencia is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Venice make it a world-class shopping destination. There are many unique items that people purchase in town. Some of the most popular include Murano glass, Burano lace, Venetian masks, and local fabrics.

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 Valencia or Venice Better for Families?

Valencia and Venice are both excellent destinations for the whole family.

Valencia is a very kid-friendly coastal city. 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.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Venice. Even for kids, visiting this city is all about soaking up the atmosphere and sense of place. It is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, historic buildings, gondolas, and plazas offer a special environment, even for kids who may be burned out from exploring cities. Attractions that appeal to kids include visiting the prisons at Doge's Palace, shopping for masks, and taking a ride on a gondola.

Is Valencia or Venice Better for Couples?

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

Venice has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. With its many truly unique romantic experiences, this city makes for a truly memorable honeymoon or romantic getaway. Ride a gondola, get lost in the city, and enjoy pasta and music around town to make the experience unlike any other.

Valencia is a great coastal 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 Valencia or Venice Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Valencia and Venice are excellent places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Valencia is a great coastal city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Venice. Many backpackers stay just out of town to save a bit of money, but, even though it's not cheap, this city is well-established on the backpacker trail.

Is Valencia or Venice Better for Students?

Valencia and Venice are terrific places to visit for students.

Valencia is a great destination 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.

Venice is a very popular coastal city for students. Because of its well-established reputation, this city attracts many international students for both semester and full length programs. There are many programs to choose between, and many students focus on the region's art, architecture, history, and language.

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

Venice is an amazing city to visit for its public transit. Also, Valencia is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Venice is top-notch. There is a comprehensive boat and ferry system that includes aporettos, alilagunas, private water taxis, gondolas, and traghettos.

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 Valencia or Venice a more walkable city?

Venice 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 Venice on foot is easy. Because it is small, it's easy to walk to all of the major tourist attractions.

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 Valencia Worth Visiting? and Is Venice Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Venice or Valencia?

How long in Valencia or Venice?

Both Valencia and Venice have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Venice than in Valencia. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Valencia, and 2-7 days is enough time in Venice.

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

One day in Valencia or Venice?

Valencia is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The beautiful city of Venice 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.

A weekend in Valencia or Venice?

Valencia is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Venice 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 Venice, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Valencia or Venice?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Valencia. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

A week in Valencia or Venice?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the architectural big city of Valencia. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Valencia and Venice, we can see that Venice is more expensive. And not only is Valencia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Valencia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Valencia 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 Venice would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Venice than you might in Valencia.

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

Which is Bigger, Valencia or Venice?

Valencia has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Venice. When comparing the sizes of Valencia and Venice, 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 Valencia or Venice?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Valencia or Venice in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Valencia is around the same temperature as Venice. Typically, the summer temperatures in Valencia in July average around 25°C (76°F), and Venice averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In Venice, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Valencia. In the summer, Valencia often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Venice. Valencia gets 303 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Venice receives 287 hours of full sun.

Valencia usually gets less rain in July than Venice. Valencia gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Venice receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valencia or Venice in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Valencia and Venice. The autumn months attract visitors to Valencia because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Venice this time of year.

In October, Valencia is generally a little warmer than Venice. Daily temperatures in Valencia average around 19°C (66°F), and Venice fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

Valencia usually receives more sunshine than Venice during autumn. Valencia gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while Venice receives 134 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Valencia usually receives more rain than Venice. Valencia gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Venice receives 67 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Valencia or Venice in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Valencia as well as Venice. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Valencia this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Venice for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Venice. Valencia is much warmer than Venice in the winter. The daily temperature in Valencia averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Venice fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Valencia often gets more sunshine than Venice. Valencia gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Venice receives 88 hours of full sun.

Valencia usually gets less rain in January than Venice. Valencia gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Venice receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valencia or Venice in the Spring?

Both Venice and Valencia are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Valencia for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Venice in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Valencia is a little warmer than Venice. Typically, the spring temperatures in Valencia in April average around 15°C (60°F), and Venice averages at about 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valencia. Valencia usually receives more sunshine than Venice during spring. Valencia gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Venice receives 154 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Valencia usually receives less rain than Venice. Valencia gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Venice receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Venice and Valencia