Valencia in October reveals its most hidden side: the popular festivals showcase the Valencians' ability to celebrate the country's major events in a friendly and joyful way, as well as their religious nature.
Anyone who attends the city's festivals will find them heartfelt, and it's all because of the sincerity and good-naturedness of the local people. In addition to historical costume parades and other events, the city's arena opens doors for a rare bullfight. Excellent weather allows tourists to do without heavy clothing, which, according to Kidpassage, makes the city in October ideal for sightseeing holidays.
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Holidays in Valencia in October: pros and cons of the trip
Big and bustling, Valencia never stops for a minute: lively, bustling, businesslike; October is when it shows its full glory. Until the end of the month, the street cafes are packed with visitors, while the tourist life on the beaches gradually fades away.
Unlike the Spaniards who think the cooling sea is already cold, for the Nordic countries residents, it is still wonderful and warm: the most avid swimmers swim here in good weather all year round. There is no better month for European sightseeing holidays than October: it is not hot, but warm enough, and in Spain, it is always sunny and pleasant.
The pros of holidays give Valencia a special place among the other cities of Spain:
- sunny, warm weather, occasional rain;
- the sea is still suitable for swimming, especially at the beginning of the month;
- no excessive number of tourists on the beaches and in museums;
- the ideal time for sightseeing and city entertainment;
- significant reduction in the cost of tours and accommodation rentals.
The cons of holidaying in Valencia in October are as follows:
- night-time cooling towards the end of the month;
- beach facilities are limited at this time.
In brief, reviews about holidays in Valencia in October contain information about moderate prices, friendly people, magnificent architecture, and a favourable climate. What else is needed for happiness? In this city, some travellers admit they feel the happiest on earth, which is worth a lot.
Weather in Valencia in October
The mild, warm Mediterranean autumn is perfect weather in October, which only changes its character in November, forcing holidaymakers to leave the city and the beaches. Although the month gets a little rainy, it is among the calmest of the year: strong winds will appear in the city closer to winter. The weather in early October is quiet, often windless and warm. Rain may disturb only once, equally likely occurring in each decade of the month.
Under direct sunlight, temperatures in Valencia in mid-October do not rise above +24 °C, but cool nights are not uncommon.
At the end of October, the weather in Valencia is still warm, but the air cools down by a few degrees at night. There are more cloudy and overcast days compared to September.
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Air and water temperature
The temperature in Valencia in October stays above +20 °C for about 25 days. The Mediterranean climate has obvious advantages that make Valencia an excellent holiday destination at any time of year, depending on individual preferences.
Air temperature in Valencia in October
The average daytime temperature is +24.8 °C, and the night temperature is +17.2 °C. Whereas rainy autumn has long since made itself known in your country, warm summer still reigns here.
Sea temperature in Valencia in October
The average sea temperature of +22.8 °C forces limits short-term bathing. The beach season is coming to an end.
Precipitation
The amount of precipitation 18.3 mm makes rainfall probable during 1-5.3 days. The average number of days without rain in October is 25.7.
Sunny, cloudy and overcast days
Sunny days occupy up to 70% of all days of the month. Partial cloudiness is observed not more than 13.7 days, overcast — up to 6 days. The sun shines for about 8.6 hours, while the daylight hours are 10.5-11.8 hours.
Tour Holidays
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To the delight of holidaymakers, the weather is conducive to sightseeing holidays: even a short rainfall does not cause discomfort. Visiting sights at any time of the day is convenient without fear of sunburn or overheating.
Valencia will be especially memorable for children, thanks to the many activities and programmes available for them. Tourist attractions are aimed at both adults and children.
In addition, Valencia is a wonderfully green city: numerous gardens adorn the cityscape all year round and are great places to relax and play outdoors.
In Gulliver Park, a giant man defeated by Lilliputians, played by children, is transformed by the authors and designers of this play space into a big slide, and inside it is a model of the city of Valencia.
Fun outdoor activities such as miniature golf, giant chess, tennis court, roller, skateboard and bike ramps make for a great time.
You can also visit the Botanical Gardens, which boast one of the largest collections of plants in Europe, the neoclassical Monforte Gardens, or the Turia Gardens, which run through the city. And animal lovers must visit the Biopark, where the boundaries between humans and animals are visually levelled.
At the end of the Turia Gardens is one of the symbols of avant-garde Valencia, the City of Arts and Sciences. The futuristic complex impresses with its scale, architecture, and contents. The list of traditional museums for children will be interesting:
- Fallas Museum with large papier-mâché puppet exhibits.
- Museum of Natural Sciences, where you can see skeletons of prehistoric animals.
- Museum of tin soldiers.
Beach Holidays
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Valencia is very popular for its beach holidays. But if there is no place to spread out a mat in summer, then from mid-August, the beaches become less crowded and even deserted in autumn. Swimming during warm lunch hours in October is better when the sun shines and heats the air with maximum force. In the evening, it gets cooler on the seashore, and you must wear warm clothes when going for late walks.
At the beginning of October, there are plenty of bathers, but every day more people on the beach spend time without swimming in the sea. When entering the water, it seems chilly.
As for the temperature, the October sea resembles the June sea and surpasses the May sea.
The sea air is clean and fresh and full of microscopic particles of minerals, especially iodine, which is very healthy. The ecological benefits of the environment can be improved by choosing a beach in a protected area for your holiday.
The "music" of the waves relaxes you and puts you in a positive mood, it is pleasant and helpful to walk on the sand, which is no longer hot, and it is interesting for children to build various shapes out of it. A separate area is set aside on the beach, "Malvarosa", especially for launching huge kites. Children's playgrounds at the city beaches are also well-equipped.
Many beach facilities are closed in mid-October: lifeguard and medical stations are closed, and fountains are switched off.
The sand on the beach may not be as soft as usual, so it's worth finding a cosy place to relax further down the regular routes. On windy days, this approach will save beach relaxation by moving to beaches sheltered from the wind and where there are practically no waves. At the end of October, divers are still interested in resting in the sea, but for them, the season ends.
Holidays, events and festivals
The festivities in Valencia in October explode with bright colours and noisy fireworks. October 9, Valencia's Autonomy Day, begins with the honouring of the flag and the memory of King Jaime I, with many flowers laid at his monument.
The official celebrations flow into music and dance shows, a feast of Moors and Christians. In addition, on October 9, Saint Dionysius is venerated, the patron saint of lovers. Men give sweet marzipan figures to their beloved, thousands of which are made by confectioners in Valencia. The bullfight, a rare event nowadays, takes place on this day.
12 October, Spanish Nation's Day, is on the list of public holidays in Spain but also has relevance to other countries. In 1492, Christopher Columbus contributes to the Spanish Kingdom's relations with the peoples of Latin America.
Hispanidad is now celebrated with musical performances, dances, parades, and processions jointly by all members of the nation and Spanish-speaking peoples wherever they live.
On this day, the Day of St Pilar, associated with the emergence of Christianity in the country, is also noisily celebrated. The unique atmosphere filled with fireworks, colourful outfits and rousing rhythms attracts thousands of tourists to Spain.
Another important event in October is the annual autumn film festival Mostra del Cine del Mediterraneo.
And for those who like to party, Valencia has prepared Crazy Rhythm Festival, a four-day contemporary music festival held at several venues in the city. In addition to local DJs, DJs from Britain, Italy, Germany, France and other countries come to perform.
Cost of vacation in October
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Prices in Valencia in October tend towards the European average. Except for Ibiza and the Canaries, holidays in Valencia and the rest of Spain are cheaper in October.
Package Tours
The cost of tours is dropping: from September to December, the reduction will be around 20 per cent, leaving a few per cent for each subsequent month.
Accommodation
Despite the end of the beach season, the average room rate per night in October will be about 10-15% higher than in September and amount to 160 euros.
Airfares
The cost of flights in October returns to August levels, rising by 10-15% compared to September and making a negative difference to the annual average price of 5%. November flights become cheaper again.
Food and Transport
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The simplest breakfast, a coffee with a sandwich or croissant, costs min. 3 euros, while a hearty continental breakfast costs around 8 euros. A business lunch will take about 10-25 euros out of your budget and even more on a tourist street or in a trendy place. The most expensive meal is dinner. It costs a minimum of 12 euros for one dish and a glass of inexpensive wine. Dinner in tapas and cafes is cheaper than in restaurants.
A transfer from the airport by taxi costs a minimum of 10 euros per passenger; in the metro or other public transport should be ready to pay 1-2 euros. A city guide for small groups of tourists costs several hundred euros.
Tips for holidays with children
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Valencia in October leaves you with pleasant memories. The weather at the beginning of October should be great, and you can swim. You can settle anywhere: closer to the sea or in the centre, as there are no problems with public transport.
Tourists travel both on tourist buses and on ValenbiSi bicycles. In some places in the coastal area, bicycles for children are rented free of charge. Taxis accept cards and do not overcharge.
At least two days should be planned for walking in the historical centre, in the unique complex of the City of Arts and Sciences you can get lost for 1-2 days and not notice it.
To save on your budget, buy combo tickets for six attractions simultaneously. Tickets to the zoo, for example, can be purchased online and printed out, so you don't have to wait in queues.
Going around the city is convenient, but it's worth bearing in mind that traffic in Valencia is mainly one-way, and stops in the opposite direction are on other streets. It is physically difficult to climb the bell tower of the Cathedral, so people with heart problems should avoid it.
Meals in the city are well organised: Valencia has many decent eating places, including Michelin-starred ones. The owners of the apartments and the chefs go out of their way to prepare food for children "according to mum's recipes".
The city is very safe. Poor neighbourhoods look picturesque and colourful, and tourists feel safe there. On the beaches, tourists can be pestered by vendors selling drinks and clothes. At this time of year, you won't want to leave Valencia. It is like a mini-Barcelona, rich in attractions, inexpensive, comfortable, and friendly. Kidpassage invites you to consider this destination for a good and educational holiday for the whole family during the school autumn holidays.