The ancient and modern buildings of Spain's third largest city form graceful cityscapes, offering an excellent photo backdrop.
Time travelling in Valencia has become a reality. The vibrant Valencian traditions and ancient buildings take you back to the Middle Ages or much earlier, the city parks take you back to the romantic eighteenth century, and the futuristic outlines of the Science and Arts Complex open the door to the future. The mystical Grail hidden within the cathedral walls grants individual immortality for this journey.
Holidays in Valencia in May: pros and cons
Valencia in May is lush and fresh. The city's parks, gardens and streets are decorated with blossoming subtropical and tropical plants. Balconies and courtyards are lined with pots of geraniums and carnations. The so-called "cherry blossom season" ends on 3 May, and you must see this miracle with your eyes.
However, all of Valencia's natural landscapes are at their best in spring. The irrigated areas of the province are the most fertile lands in Europe. People appear in large numbers on the outdoor terraces of cafés. It is fuelled by the warm days, which are getting longer every day. Valencia is a popular destination for a day trip, but it is also culturally and economically rewarding to spend a week here.
Let's note the pros of holidaying in May:
- relatively low holiday prices;
- good, mostly sunny and dry weather;
- comfortable temperature for long walks and excursions;
- new harvest of fruit and vegetables appear on the market stalls;
- rich flowering flora and festivals are lavishly decorated with fresh flowers.
Once you arrive in Valencia, it's easy to forget about the cons, but there are some:
- beach entertainment centres and some clubs are still closed;
- low sea temperature.
Valencia is very different from other destinations. Reviews of holidays in Valencia in May give it a better rating than Madrid and Barcelona. It maintains a perfect balance of all the most valuable things that Spain has to offer.
The weather in Valencia in May
The city is located in a warmer part of the coast of Spain than other areas. The Mediterranean Sea in the Gulf of Valencia mitigates temperature fluctuations, and the weather in May is comfortable and relatively flat. In June, the tradition of siesta has to be maintained by tourists: hot daylight hours fall out of the plan of events.
The weather at the beginning of May can be hotter during the day than at the end of the month, and vice versa. At night, the chill does not recede. Occasionally, there are rains or thunderstorms. Temperatures in Valencia in mid-May are already in the summer range. The nights get warmer, favourably affecting the nightlife: discos become increasingly grandiose.
At the end of May, the weather in Valencia is usually the hottest of the month. An extended stay under the direct rays of the sun is undesirable. A light breeze is pleasantly refreshing.
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Air and water temperature
Temperatures in Valencia in May rise ten degrees, reaching +28°C during the day and +18-20°C at night. The low rainfall is determined by the fact that the Mediterranean climate of this region leans more towards the arid steppe type. A certain dryness does not reduce its therapeutic properties.
Air temperature in Valencia in May
The average daytime temperature in May is +23.8°C, which is 8.1°C higher than the night temperature. In such conditions, anyone in summer clothes feels good.
Sea temperature in Valencia in May
The average sea surface temperature in late spring is +18.6°C. Those who dare to go for a swim feel invigorated. Health experts advise to limit the stay in such water to three minutes for children and up to 9 minutes for adults. At the same time, relaxed bathing will not be possible.
Precipitation
May, June and July are the driest months of the year. A monthly rainfall of 8.9mm probably won't spoil even a short holiday. After all, Valencia is competing for the title of the sunniest resort in the country.
Sunny, cloudy and overcast days
The number of absolutely sunny days is 26 out of 31. On other days, clouds entirely or partially cover the sky. The sun shines for a long time, 12 hours on average.
Tour Holidays in May
Travelling with children implies a different plan than travelling without them. The first point of this plan should be one of the largest aquariums in Europe.
You can spend a whole day here to see 45,000 animals, a garden, dolphin shows, explore the deep sea world, and have lunch in the underwater restaurant.
The Oceanographic Park offers a unique "night with the sharks" event. Groups of children sleep in the tower and continue their tour of the park in the morning.
This children's tour, which is best done in early and mid-May, takes you through Valencia's palace buildings in such a way that history and rarities are part of the educational game.
Little tourists turn themselves into princes and princesses while having fun learning how royalty lived in the old days. The path goes from the Serranos Tower to the palaces of Cervello and Marques de Dos Aguas.
In the grand halls of the Gothic Palace of Malferit is a private museum of tin soldiers. Toy replicas of warriors of all times and armies occupy more than a dozen rooms, categorising the collection into historical periods. Both the group and the museum building are breathtaking.
Two visits combined the Prince Philip Museum of Science and the Hemispheric Planetarium into one ticket.
The most incredible museum of the 21st century invites visitors to explore the evolution of life, science and technology under the slogan "Forbidden not to touch, not to feel, not to think." The cinema's screens are surprisingly vibrant with films about space.
Families visiting the city are unlikely to miss its famous parks: the Biopark, the Botanical Gardens, the Turia Gardens with the Gulliver Children's Centre, the Monforte Gardens and the Cabecera Park.
Beach Holidays
Tour operators have different approaches to assessing the start of the beach season. Some recommend tourists to visit Valencia's beaches as early as the end of May, others — in June or even July. Without listening to advice, anyone visiting Valencia during the beautiful warm days will not miss the opportunity to walk to the sea, sunbathe, or even go for a little swim.
The 25 kilometres of sandy beaches are the jewel of the Mediterranean coast. But the sea is not as calm as we would like.
Breakwaters help to calm the movement of the waves. Las Arenas / El Cabañal and La Malvarossa are among the most visited and well-maintained beaches. La Devesa is carefully protected as part of the Albufera Natural Park. The rich flora and a variety of birds are the natural resources of the national park. The excellent beach of El Saler is also located there. The other places resemble each other in their characteristics but are more deserted.
Holidays, events and festivals
Holidays in Valencia in May celebrate state, family and religious events.
On May 1st, Labour Day, the city joins the national holiday. Under the auspices of the trade unions, workers once again assert their rights. A few days later, on the following Sunday, Mother's Day is nice and heartwarming. All events are about honouring women.
The festival of Our Lady of the Forsaken of Valencia is held on the 2nd Sunday in May. Events begin at the Royal Chapel and end with a traditional procession through the main streets and squares. In the gardens of Turia, the sky explodes with fireworks on the festive night.
On different dates, but on the second Easter Monday, there is a festival named after the city's other patron saint, St Vicente Ferrer.
He was born, baptised, professed faith and taught here. The most beautiful event is a children's production in verse about the miracles attributed to the saint. The actors are not even 13 years old. Since 1263, on the 60th day after Easter in May-June, Valencians have been making a colourful festival of the Body and Blood of Christ. It is not only a religious festival but also a folk festival.
The programme includes:
- A procession of ninnots.
- The passing of ceremonial chariot wagons.
- A solemn procession of biblical characters.
People throw rose petals under the feet of the participants. Throughout the day, festive bells ring in all the Catholic churches of the city.
On many days and months, starting in May, the tourist areas are the scene of open-air music performances, flamenco days, exhibitions, the Water Tribunal and the old tradition of liner sailing on the lake in the Albufera Park.
Cost of vacation
Prices in Valencia in May and other months for all categories of goods and services are much lower than in Madrid and Barcelona. Accommodation and menus in catering establishments are much cheaper. The average expenditure of one tourist per day is about 100 euros, and the average trip duration is eight days.
Package Tours
Tour prices are volatile. Depending on weather, other conditions, and demand, tour operators can significantly increase costs to the level of the high tourist season. But, as a rule, this happens at the end of the month and during the May holidays.
Accommodations
The average price per night per month is always higher on weekends and May public holidays but generally corresponds to the annual average. The best luxury hotels are cheap by Spanish standards for accommodation and quality service. The minimum average prices in June will increase by 15-20%.
Airfares
The city of Valencia is served by its airport. In May, the cost of flying to this destination is a few per cent lower than in the neighbouring months and is almost the same as in July and August.
Food and Transport
In Valencia, as in Catalonia, food is relatively inexpensive. In spring, you can buy apples in the market for a minimum of 0.45 euros per kilo, and oranges are even cheaper, from 0.4 euros.
Lunch for one in an inexpensive place costs 8-12 euros, and up to 25 euros in a higher level restaurant.
Taxi fares: boarding fare — 2.30-4 euros, 1 km — 1.37-2.41 euros. You will get free public transport and save up to 50% of your entertainment and food budget by purchasing a tourist card.
Tips for travellers with children
The city is very child-friendly. The Spaniards do a lot for the convenience of little tourists, both on the streets and indoors. Even the landscape is very gentle, with buildings arranged in one plane. This property and a convenient transport network facilitate movement with children, saving time and effort.
Valencia is a city of culture for all ages, so all significant events and facilities have children's programmes. There are playgrounds in parks and on the beaches. It is better to use hotel swimming pools with heated water for swimming instead of the sea. The all-inclusive system in hotels will brighten up your holiday.
Undoubtedly, a trip here in May with a cognitive purpose will justify all expectations and even exceed them. If a child has lost interest in science, environment and discoveries, interactive museums and parks with wildlife as close as possible to man will awaken him with new vigour. Buying a trip to Valencia for the whole family is a right choice.
