Let’s talk about everything you need to pack for your trip to Valencia, Spain. Overall, there’s nothing too complicated about packing for a Mediterranean adventure – but this article has a couple of hidden tips & tricks to make it a bit easier for you. Especially if you’re coming from the US, make sure you use this guide to help you pack for Valencia! 

Packing List Valencia

Let’s start off with the most important things to pack. Valencia is a warm, Mediterranean city that encourages you to walk a lot. So we’ll focus on essential items that some people often forget about. 

In other words – I won’t waste your time reminding you to pack an extra pair of underwear. These are all items that I’ve seen people forget way too often. 

So let’s go through our essential Valencia packing list. 

EU Charger or Adapter

Remember that Spain is in the EU, so you’ll want to use the EU-specific charging ports. A universal adapter can be helpful if you’re going to other countries as well, or you can stick to the smaller EU-specific ones. 

There are some pros and cons to getting these adapters. On the plus side – you can use one for all your electronics. 

But on the downside, sometimes they don’t fit perfectly in an outlet, or they’re too heavy for some. 

So here’s my advice:

Sunscreen

If you are coming to Valencia, you HAVE to pack sunscreen. I don’t care if you’re coming in the winter – bring sunscreen! 

Seriously, this is the biggest mistake I see tourists make. Valencia gets 300+ days of sunshine every year, so even in the winter you’ll want to protect your skin. 

And I often suggest people buy their favorite brand and bring it with them. This way you don’t have to waste your time going to a pharmacy to buy some. 

If you’re coming in the summer and want a beach vacation, then you’ll definitely want to bring a high-quality sunscreen. Because spending August in a blazingly hot Mediterranean city with a sunburn… is not going to be a fun holiday for you. 

Comfortable shoes

You’ll be doing a lot of walking in Valencia, so make sure to pack comfortable shoes. In my opinion, the best things to see in Valencia all involve a bit of walking, so make sure you’re as comfortable as possible. 

I’d suggest going for a casual pair that is comfortable and versatile. 

Pro tip: Avoid wearing crocs or flip flops in the city. Those are immediate “tourist” red flags. 

Debit/Travel Card

One thing I quickly learned was that US banks do NOT like it when you’re traveling abroad. Nothing is more frustrating than getting somewhere … and then having your debit/credit card be blocked. 

That’s why I usually recommend looking into a travel card. 

✔️ The conversion rate is better
✔️ They are safer to travel with
✔️ You can pre-set the funds so you don’t overspend

I really recommend using the Wise Travel Card. It also comes with the digital version, as it’s easy to pay with your phone in Valencia. 

But if you prefer sticking to the card from your bank – then make sure you call them first! 

Nicer Outfit

So even though Valencia can be quite warm – and you’ll be doing a lot of walking – you’ll stick want to pack one or two nice outfits! 

If you’re going out for dinner, drinks, or heading to a club, you need something slightly more elegant. 

Most people will dress up a tad to go out for dinner, especially on Friday/Saturday nights. And if you want to get into a club – you have to look the part. Because you probably will not be allowed into any clubs if you’re wearing shorts or your travel clothes. 

Lighter suitcase

It’s always a better idea to travel light, at least in my opinion. If you can manage to pack fewer things and stick to the essentials – you’ll definitely appreciate it later. 

Because if you’re taking any public transport, then you’ll want to have a suitcase that doesn’t take up a huge amount of space. 

And besides – this way, you don’t risk getting any overweight baggage fees! 

Beach clothing

I’d recommend bringing at least one beach outfit. You are coming to the Mediterranean, after all. 

You can swim in the water well into October, so even if you’re not traveling at peak season, it’s still a good idea to bring a swimsuit. If you’re absolutely sure you don’t want to go swim, then you can skip it. But it might be a good idea to bring one just in case! 

Emergency powerbank

This is another one of my international packing essentials. 

When you’re traveling and taking a billion pictures and constantly using Google Maps – your phone gets drained quick. 

So I always recommend brining a reliable powerbank, just so you don’t have to worry about ending up with a dead battery. I usually bring one every time I go to a new city. You just never know when it’ll come in handy! 

Quick Dry Towel

This is a trick I recently discovered, and it’s now constantly on my travel packing list. Bring a small towel that dries quickly. 

Because you never know when an emergency will happen. 

You spill your drink on your pants. It starts to rain suddenly. You set your phone down on a web table. A pigeon poops on you. Your sunscreen explodes and gets all over your bag (true story – happened to me in Athens 🤦)

Having a small, quick-drying hand towel can be a lifesaver. And it doesn’t take up much space in your bag, so it’s great to have one on hand. 

Day pack or tote bag

 If you’re heading out for the day, you might want to bring some essentials with you throughout the city. 

So having somewhere to put everything can make your life a lot easier. 

If you have a small backpack or a tote bag, it’s a lot easier to bring your charger, your sunglasses, even a snack. And it’s a lot more convenient than bringing a full travel backpack if you can keep it at your hotel. 

That’s why I like to bring a small tote bag. It takes up less room than a t-shirt, but it’s super handy during your trip! 

What To Wear in Valencia

Let’s talk about what clothes to pack for Valencia. And before we go any further, here’s a warning:

Athleisure is not socially acceptable in Valencia. Unless you’re going to the gym – leave the yoga pants at home. 

I mean – it’s your life, do what you want. But people will know you a tourist and you will be judged. 

So here’s a quick summary of what to pack for Valencia:

• Summer:
  • T-shirts and shorts during the day
  • Dress/skirts
  • Nicer outfit during the night
  • Comfortable walking shoes 
  • Sandals for the beach
• Spring & Fall:
  • T-shirts and jeans 
  • Sweater or a light jacket
  • Coat for the nighttime 
• Winter:
  • Long-sleeve clothing
  • Heavier coat
  • Scarf 

Overall, just make sure to bring comfortable, casual clothes for the daytime. And bring a couple outfits to dress up slightly nicer at night. 

➡️ You can check out my guide to the weather in Valencia for more details! 

Other Essentials for a Trip to Valencia

Everything above was the most important things to pack for Valencia, but let’s look at some other essentials you may need. 

These might not be applicable for everyone – but for most people from North America, they are things I would definitely look into. 

Mobile Data

These days, it’s almost impossible to go anywhere without mobile data. Whether you need to look things up on Google Maps – or the restaurant still needs a QR code – it’s just a necessity. 

So I highly recommend you look into how to get mobile data in Europe. If your service provider has a cheap option, then go with that! But for most people, I find it’s actually not that cheap. 

I’d recommend looking into Airalo – they have some great eSIMs, which now work on most phones. This is a brand I use whenever I go back to the US, so it’s definitely one I would trust. 

Otherwise, you can try and make use of any public WiFi. But personally, I like the comfort of having mobile data 24/7. 

➡️ Read my review of Airalo.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is basically always a great decision when you’re going abroad. Especially if you have to cross the ocean to get here! 

Whether you lose your bag or you end up breaking an arm – travel medical insurance is a great way to make sure things don’t go from bad to worse. I usually recommend SafetyWing for most people, as it’s one of the most trusted and affordable brands. 

And if you’re the type of person that prefers to just cross your fingers, then go right ahead! But I would rather pay around $40 for the peace of mind. 

➡️ Here’s a full guide on travel medical insurance for Spain. 

Copy of your passport

If you’re coming from a non-EU country – bring a copy of your passport! Seriously, this is going to be the biggest life-saver for you.

Because nobody ever wants to get in trouble or lose their passport, but things happen. 

So make sure you have a copy on hand, just in case! 

(Some) Medicines

This one is for all my fellow allergy-sensitive travelers out there! If you need to bring some medicines with you, then go ahead and do so. 

Over-the-counter medicines are typically safe to bring, just keep them in a plastic bag for the airport. 

But if you need any prescription medication – make sure you have your prescription AND double-check if it’s legal to bring it. Please don’t just stick your medication in a unlabeled bag and think you’ll be fine. You’ll be out of your medicine AND you’re going to have a terrible time at the airport. 

Valencia Travel Resources

I hope this Valencia packing list was helpful for you! Overall, it shouldn’t be too complicated – but everyone forgets things every now and then. So make sure you follow this guide to ensure a seamless and relaxing trip to Valencia. 

And since you’re already planning, here are a few more resources to help you enjoy your time!

• Where to stay 
• Best restaurants 
• How to get from the airport to the city 
• Public transport guide 
• Where to get a drink 
• Valencia Tourist Card

FAQs