While the UK is still deciding whether it is spring, April in the Region of Valencia smells of orange blossom and the beach cafés are back in business April is probably the most pleasant month to visit the Region of Valencia: T-shirt weather without the summer heat, orange groves in flower, the first beach days and a run of fiestas that starts with Holy Week and ends with the Moors and Christians parades in Alcoy. For families from the UK and Ireland, the Easter school holidays fall right in the middle of it. Here is what the season offers, with the 2026 dates.

Holy Week 2026: 29 March to 5 April

Easter in Valencia has a character of its own. The city celebrates the Semana Santa Marinera, a festival of national tourist interest, in the old fishing districts of El Cabanyal, Canyamelar and El Grau: processions along the seafront, centuries-old brotherhoods and a neighbourhood atmosphere you will not find anywhere else. In 2026 the Good Friday procession (3 April) sets off at 6.30 pm, and the Resurrection parade on Easter Sunday (5 April) runs along the Avenida del Mediterráneo at 1 pm. Outside the city, Orihuela, Crevillent, Alzira and Sagunto have deeply traditional Holy Weeks with far fewer visitors. And on Easter Monday, the Valencian custom is to head out to the countryside or the beach to eat the mona, an Easter cake, and fly kites.

Orange blossom in the huerta

In April the orange trees flower, and the fields around Valencia, the Ribera, the Safor and much of Castellón fill with the scent of azahar, orange blossom. It is the time to cycle through the huerta, the market gardens around Valencia (the Turia Natural Park or the lanes around Alboraya and Meliana), visit citrus towns such as Carcaixent or Burriana, or simply wind the car window down.

The first beach days of the year

The sea is still cool, but with highs of 20 to 22°C on the coast the beaches fill up again with walkers and the brave. It is the best time for the coves of the Marina Alta on the Costa Blanca (Jávea, Moraira, Benitatxell), the Castellón coast (Peñíscola, Benicàssim, Alcossebre) or the long sandy beaches of the Safor and Valencia, without the crowds or high-season prices.

Inland: walking, villages and fiestas

Spring is the ideal season for walking. The natural parks of the Sierra Calderona, Penyagolosa, Sierra de Mariola and the Hoces del Cabriel are at their best, with mild temperatures and green fields. Villages such as Morella, Bocairent, Xàtiva, Chelva and Guadalest combine heritage with short walks for all levels. At the end of the month comes the big one: the Moors and Christians of Alcoy, a festival of international tourist interest, take place in 2026 from 25 to 27 April in honour of St George. The Entradas on Saturday 25 April, when the squads parade down Calle de San Nicolás in full costume, are one of the most spectacular sights in the Valencian festival calendar.

Where to stay in spring

Demand rises over Easter and the spring bank holidays, especially on the coast and in the fiesta towns. Booking a holiday rental early lets you choose the area and have your own kitchen for family meals. In the Region of Valencia, legal holiday rentals carry an official registration number (format VT-XXXXX-V, -A or -CS) that must appear in the listing; checking it before you book takes a minute. ApturCV, the leading holiday-rental association in the Region of Valencia, explains how in its traveller guide.

Frequently asked questions

Can you swim in Valencia in April?

The water is still cold for most people, but on sunny days some do. For sunbathing and walking, April is perfect.

When are the Moors and Christians in Alcoy?

Always around 23 April, St George's Day. In 2026 they run from 25 to 27 April.

What is the Semana Santa Marinera?

Holy Week in Valencia's seafront districts (Cabanyal, Canyamelar and Grau), a festival of national tourist interest, with processions that run along the beach. Travel with confidence: choose a legal holiday rental with a registration number. We explain how to spot one in our guide to legal holiday rentals.