Beach of Valencia, Las Arenas, Spain

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Stretching north from the marina, this is the beginning of Valencia's beach, the closest to the centre and the focal point of seaside life. Backed by hotels and rice restaurants, it's a lively, busy strip that's also a major zone for summer nightlife. The beach is over 100m wide, so there's room to move even in high summer.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Museo de Arroz

0.55 MILES

This restored rice mill gives good background on the importance to the city of the grain, grown in the nearby Albufera, with a video (English subtitles)…

2. Mercat Municipal del Cabanyal

0.61 MILES

Sturdy old ladies brought up in the tough streets of the fishing barrio of Cabanyal jostle each other and suspiciously prod the vegetables in this vibrant…

3. Las Atarazanas del Grao

0.67 MILES

Originally constructed in the 14th century in Gothic style, these five parallel warehouses have been much altered over the years, but are still an…

4. Mercado Municipal del Grao

0.73 MILES

This low, squat market has an unusual indoor-outdoor design and is worth a look for its palpable sense of history (opened 1910) and community, but at the…

5. Playa de la Malvarrosa

0.88 MILES

The middle section of Valencia's main beach is popular with joggers and cyclists for its promenade. Though it gets busy, there's plenty of space for all…

6. Las Naves

0.97 MILES

Down near the docks, this former warehouse space has been turned into a hive of creativity, with art and photography exhibitions, a library, rehearsal…

7. Playa de la Patacona

1.47 MILES

The northern stretch of Valencia's main beach has a quieter, more local scene, but still gets busy in summer. It's backed by lovely traditional houses…

8. Oceanogràfic

1.63 MILES

Spain's most famous aquarium is the southernmost building of the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. It's an impressive display, divided into a series of…