Valencia in July?

[GinAllAround]

I'm looking for somewhere we can go with DC9 for about a week at the start of the school holidays. We prefer self-catering in an Airbnb to hotels or AI.

We've been to Sardinia a few times but flights there have gotten very expensive. Valencia seems reasonably priced and has a beach. Is it a good place for a beach holiday or more a city break kind of place? I know the beach is a little out of the city but I figured if we stayed near there then we could just go into the city a few times if we get bored. Are there lots of restaurants etc in the beach area? And is it roasting in July? I like the heat but this past July Sardinia was just too damn hot!

I personally would think twice before going to Spain in July - it will be hot. That's why many Spanish flee to the north/Galicia at that time of year. Even early June would be better.

I mean it is a city break but the beach is closeby so I feel like you can do both. I've gone to the city and just enjoyed sight seeing and another time was about the beach. What you make of it really. Can I also give a shout out to Cadiz as another beach destination with city and restaurants...amazing place.

I would love a holiday in June but unfortunately we are limited to school holidays!

My friend was there in July with her teen sons and she said the heat was intense. Although they had an interesting holiday (lots of galleries, aquarium etc) her DH said to me that walking about during the day was exhausting and the boys were constantly moaning and buying drinks. They found it expensive for eating out, and the beach was packed. She sent me a text ranting that she just wanted to lie and listen to the waves, but was surrounded by people playing their shit music really loudly and smoking.

I've found that generally kids don't like roaming the streets on holiday (I love a ramble round an old town, but of course it's boring and too hot for them). We've done Spain in August plenty of times, but based at the coast and only one or two days visiting towns (usually when overcast).

I think Valencia is good for children. There is a huge science museum and aquarium type thing near the city centre. The park running through the riverbed is cool as well. You can hire little pedal things with parasols and ride about in them. The metro is amazing. So clean and modern. The beach is not great though. Not the nicest area and just not the nicest beach (imo). So if it's a beach holiday you want, I'd go elsewhere. But maybe you could do a couple of days in Valencia and then go on to somewhere more beachy?

I have a place in Spain and we avoid July and August, it's just too hot. No fun.

Have you considered one of the Canary Isles, not so hot and there's always a nice breeze?

I hadn't considered the Canaries @SeatonCarew, mainly because I assumed they'd be hotter than mainland Spain! I've never been there though, which one would you recommend? We like sandy beaches and prefer somewhere quieter/family oriented. Not party central/Brits Abroad kind of places, if you know what I mean!

It depends what you want. I've been to three of them and they all have their own character.

Tenerife we really like, despite it not being our usual sort of thing, we're going back there this summer. We like to stay in Golf del Sur, a fairly quiet place near Tenerife South airport, and I can highly recommend the villas at Sunningdale resort there, now bought out and known as the Wyndham Residences, Golf del Sur. Do get a villa , they are very reasonable, and I've just checked and they have a sale on right now till January 8th! (Book on Hotels.com and it's even cheaper, and you can save their Welcome Rewards and possibly get a bit of cashback on topcashback or quidco).

The resort is well kept and beautifully planted, and your DC would love the pool, which is very attractive, and the kids' club. Last time I was there there was entertainment round the pool on an evening, but unless you're really near the pool, nothing to scare the horses. It's quite nice to have something going on if you want to join in. The villas have a pretty planted terrace with a table, and a balcony upstairs, very nice place to sit or sunbathe.

Restaurants within easy walking distance, and a good bus service up the coast, though I would strongly recommend hiring a car and exploring the island. Los Gigantes is nice for a day trip as is the north of the island (cooler if it's warm). Also helpful for you to get to beaches, none directly there, but not too far away.

Fuerteventura is nice, but much quieter. I can recommend the Katis boutique villas at Correlejo (more pricey), though it's several years since I went. Lanzarote is quieter still, with interesting lunar type landscapes in the north. Playa Blanca is very nice, we had a lovely stay at the Jardines del Sol resort, get a bungalow or a villa there and they are very nice. Again, you really need a car to make the most of your stay.

Have a look and see what you think! 😊

Valencia will be boiling hot on July. I’d look at Bilbao, Santander and San Sebastián for it to not be hot in Spain.

I’m from the north of Spain and obviously recommend San Sebastián and Santander. beautiful cities with beaches and lovely towns to visit with equally beautiful, unspoilt beaches too.

if you’re in San Sebastián, please go to Biarritz one day, went there this summer and what a lovely, vibrant city it is.