Alicante is the drier, smaller and cheaper sister of Valencia: a Blue Flag beach in the city centre under a free hilltop castle, a longer one at San Juan by tram, and the region's busiest airport. Research draft.
Best months: Apr–May, Oct
Researched
Region · Spain, Europe
Valencian Community
Spain's Mediterranean region between Catalonia and Murcia: three provinces (Castellón, Valencia, Alicante), 5.4 million people, capital Valencia. We start with Valencia city, the beach-in-the-city alternative to Barcelona, and Alicante. Research draft.
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov
- Our pick
Towns
Towns and areas in Valencian Community
Dénia is a port town of 47,000 between Valencia and Alicante: long sandy family beaches to the north, rocky snorkelling coves to the south, a castle above the centre, ferries to Ibiza, and coworking desks from €119 a month. Research draft.
Researched
Jávea, or Xàbia, is a town of 30,600 between two capes: one shallow sandy beach for families at the Arenal, clear pebble coves for snorkelling, a historic centre and a port. Coworking €175 a month with VAT. Research draft.
Researched
Spain's third city, with 20 km of city beaches, a 9 km park in the old riverbed and a metro from the airport. Cheaper than Barcelona for rent and with no tourist tax; good for a workation or a family month. Research draft.
Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov
Researched
In detail
The notes behind this page
The Valencian Community is Spain’s Mediterranean middle: from the border with Catalonia down to Murcia, with Valencia city in the centre and Alicante in the south. This page is the map of the site for the region: pick a base, then use the guides to plan.
Where to base yourself
| Base | In one line | Page |
|---|---|---|
| Valencia | Spain’s third city: a tram to the beach, a 9 km park in the old riverbed, coworking day passes from €15 | Valencia |
| Alicante | Smaller and drier, with a city beach under the castle and the region’s busiest airport | Alicante |
| Dénia | Port town with long sandy family beaches, rocky snorkelling coves and ferries to Ibiza | Dénia |
| Jávea (Xàbia) | One shallow sandy beach for children and clear pebble coves between two capes | Jávea |
| Benidorm | Sandy Levante and Poniente beaches, each with a seafront promenade | Benidorm |
| Calpe (Calp) | La Fossa’s sandy beach with views of the Peñón de Ifach | Calpe |
| Altea | A hilltop old town and a pebble coast | Altea |
Can’t decide? Alicante vs Valencia compares the two bases, and Valencia vs Barcelona weighs the region against Catalonia: rent, tourist tax, beaches and weather.
Keep reading: 3 more sections
Plan the trip
- When to go: best time to visit Valencia, Valencia weather by month and Alicante weather by month.
- Getting there and around: flights to Valencia and Alicante (which of the two airports, who flies direct), getting around Valencia, including the airport metro, and driving in Spain if you hire a car for the coves; hiring at Alicante airport, including Benidorm’s permit-only low-emission zone: Alicante airport car hire.
- Beaches: Valencia beaches.
- With children: Valencia with kids.
- Working from here: working remotely from Valencia, Alicante for digital nomads and Spain’s digital nomad visa.
- Where to stay: in Valencia and in Alicante.
- Days out: day trips from Valencia.
- Spain-wide practicalities: eSIM, paying and tipping, health insurance for long stays, tourist taxes, trains, healthcare and children’s emergency departments.
What the sources say (research)
- Three provinces (Castellón, Valencia, Alicante); 23,265 km²; 5,425,182 people (2025); capital Valencia; official languages Valencian and Spanish. [Wikipedia, 9 Oct 2026]
- Valencia city 840,792 residents, Alicante 366,221 (1 January 2025). [INE]
- Climate normal 1991–2020: mean daily max in January 16.8 °C in Valencia and 17.2 °C in Alicante; in August 30.6 °C and 31.1 °C. Annual rain 459 mm in Valencia, 285 mm in Alicante; sunshine 2,733 and 3,014 hours. [AEMET OpenData via Wikipedia; month by month in Valencia weather by month]
- Rents (idealista, September 2026): Valencia city €16.3 per m², Alicante city €13.9, regional average €13.2.
- Airports in 2025: Alicante-Elche 19.95 million passengers, Valencia 11.85 million. [Aena]
- No tourist tax: Ley 7/2022 created one, due to start on 19 December 2023; Decreto-ley 12/2023 repealed it from 15 November 2023, before it applied, and none has been brought back as of October 2026. [BOE/DOGV; Levante-EMV, 4 Apr 2026]
Open questions
Valencian Community: quick answers
What is the Valencian Community?
One of Spain's autonomous communities, on the Mediterranean between Catalonia and Murcia. It has three provinces (Castellón, Valencia and Alicante), about 23,265 km² and 5,425,182 people (2025); the capital is Valencia and the official languages are Valencian and Spanish.
Valencia or Alicante?
Valencia is the bigger city (840,792 residents against 366,221, INE 2025) with more coworking, the Turia park and a metro from the airport. Alicante is smaller, drier and sunnier, with lower rents (idealista: €13.9 vs €16.3 per m², September 2026) and a much busier airport (19.95 million passengers in 2025 against 11.85 million). The fastest train between them takes 2 h 17 from Valencia and about 1 h 55 from Alicante.
Is there a tourist tax in the Valencian Community?
No. A regional tourist tax was passed in 2022 (Ley 7/2022) to start on 19 December 2023, but Decreto-ley 12/2023 repealed it from 15 November 2023, so it was never charged. As of October 2026 there is no regional or municipal tourist tax.