Erasmus in Valencia

Spain's third-largest city (around 800,000 inhabitants), Valencia mixes Mediterranean beaches, deep heritage and a relaxed student scene without the tourist pressure of Barcelona or Madrid. With 300+ sunny days a year and rents that remain affordable, it has quietly become one of the most balanced Erasmus destinations in the country.

The city is organised around the Turia Park, a 9-km linear green belt built on the former riverbed after the river was diverted following the 1957 flood. You run there, picnic there, cycle there — and it leads straight to Santiago Calatrava's spectacular Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias.

On the academic side, three main institutions welcome exchange students: the Universitat de València (UV, general), the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV, science and engineering, very international) and the private CEU Cardenal Herrera. All host large Erasmus cohorts every semester, which makes settling in remarkably easy.

Valencia's rental market is less tense than Barcelona's or Madrid's, but it has tightened over the past two years. Plan around one month of active searching before arrival — the best shared rooms go fast, especially for the September and February intakes.

The platforms most used by Erasmus students are Idealista (the biggest), Spotahome, Erasmus Play and ALUNI (student-focused). A room in a shared flat usually costs €300-500/month bills included, sometimes more in Russafa or the very centre. Never wire a deposit without seeing the place — either in person or via a live video tour. Scams targeting foreign students are still common.

Neighbourhoods to consider: Russafa (hipster, bars, central but in demand), Benimaclet (very student-friendly, next to UV and UPV, village feel), El Carmen (old town, nightlife, character), Blasco Ibáñez (the avenue running along UV faculties — ideal if you study there) and El Cabanyal (former fishermen's quarter near the beach, increasingly trendy).

City buses are run by EMT. If you're under 30, grab the Bono Joven at around €13/month (€12.50 reduced rate, confirmed through 2026): unlimited rides — unbeatable. Otherwise the SUMA 10 (10 trips) is handy for occasional use.

Metrovalencia (metro + tram) completes the network: lines T4 and T6 take you straight to Malvarrosa beach, and line 5 reaches the airport for around €4.80 (airport supplement included).

Valencia is also a cycling city: bike lanes everywhere, especially along the Turia, and an excellent bike-sharing service, Valenbisi (€29/year). It's open to short stays via SMS, but for any Erasmus longer than two months the annual pass is by far the best deal.

Student life largely revolves around ESN Valencia, one of the most active sections in Europe: trips to Ibiza or Marrakech, weekends in Peñíscola, weekly international parties and language tandems. Grab the ESNcard on arrival — it pays for itself in two weekends.

The year's highlight is Las Fallas (15-19 March): for a week, the city fills with giant satirical sculptures made of cardboard and wood, before they're all burnt on the final night in a unique pyrotechnic spectacle. The rest of the year, life moves between the Malvarrosa beach (20 min by T6 tram), the bars of Russafa and El Carmen, and the famous Sunday paella — the real one, with chicken, rabbit and beans, never seafood.

For groceries, the magnificent Mercado Central (one of Europe's largest) and the Mercado de Russafa are unmissable. Nightlife stretches into the early hours at the clubs of the Marina and Port district.

Your first step as an international student is the NIE (foreigner ID number), required to sign a lease, open a bank account or enrol at the university. EU citizens get a Certificado de Registro at the Oficina de Extranjería or the police station; non-EU students must apply for the TIE card within 30 days of arrival, after entering on a student visa obtained from the Spanish consulate at home.

The empadronamiento is registered at the local town hall (Ayuntamiento) on presentation of a proof of address. It unlocks many local procedures and gives you access to the CEAM card, the Valencian regional public-health card (useful alongside your EHIC).

For banking, BBVA, Santander and especially neobanks like N26 or Revolut are the most common picks — the latter avoid fees and work perfectly to receive your Erasmus grant or pay rent by SEPA transfer.

Valencia is officially bilingual: people speak Castilian Spanish and Valencian, a variety of Catalan recognised as the co-official language of the Valencian Community. In daily life Spanish dominates by far, but Valencian is highly visible in writing — street signs, administration, university websites.

At university, watch the language code of each course: most are taught in Spanish or English, but some at UV and UPV are taught in Valencian only — always double-check before finalising your learning agreement. UPV in particular offers many courses in English; UV slightly fewer.

To progress: language tandems organised by ESN, the usual apps (Tandem, HelloTalk) and above all the courses at the Centre d'Idiomes de la UV and the UPV Language Centre, both open to Erasmus students at reduced rates. Beginner Valencian courses are also offered if you'd like to try the local language.