5 adults are going to Valencia in late (May 5/25-5/30) for 2 nights from Barcelona and plan to go to the beaches and then go back to the Penedes Wine Region and stay 2 nights there and then go back to Barcelona to fly home. Do we need to rent a car to get to these places, or can we take the train from bcn to valencia and then take public transportation once in Valencia - and how do you get from Valencia to Penedes area? would it be easier to have your own car? any help/recommendations/suggestions would be appreciated. thanks

You certainly do not need a car to get to Valencia unless you want to stop at the attractive Peñiscola (nice beach and impressive castll hill with falcon show in summer).

Once in Valencia 5 do not fit in a taxi so it will be two taxis or bus or metro.

then from here to Penedés area, (back towards Barcelona) I will let someone else take over with instructions as a car might be good for that last portion of the trip.

Valencia does have an enormous beach, but this is not the most atractive beach along the coast, and I wouldn't come here "for the beaches".. However, the sights in Valencia are worth a few days, and the beach is an addtional plus for those who like to take a beach break.

thank you for the reply. Which beaches would you recommend when we are in Valencia - can they be done as a day trip via public transportation. Any recommendations on where to stay while in Valencia? typically we like to rent an apartment but am open to suggestions. thank you

lincasanova - we will be in your area in September. Five nights in Valencia and then two in Morella. I really want to go to Peniscola - do you think this would be a good day trip from Morella? It doesn't look so far on the map, but I know how that goes.. just because it looks close, doesn't mean it necessarily is.

munroj, I have been looking at a LOT of apartments in Valencia. What is your budget? The best, and most reasonable places I have found so far are on www.homelidays.com and we ended up going with one of the apartments listed there.

http://www.valenciashortstay.com/index.php also has some decent looking places.

There are several buses that go from urban areas to the city beach (La Malvarossa). This is a wide deep beach and has many services along, (restaurants, occasional volleyball nets, etc).

If you are looking for beaches flanked by rocks (not the FLAT Valencia coastline) then you must go UP to the Cosat Brava from Barcelona, or down to Denia/Javea.

Again, I am not sure all this is WORTH it.. having so much to see in either place, and both cities themselves (Barcelona and Valencia) having these great city beaches already.

Denai or Javea would be time consuming with no car, but can be done by bus.Cullera is closer, and does have a pleasant beach with a nice bay at one end, but is not a pretty town in itself.

In answer to the Morella question, Peñiscola is NOT too far from Morella although the road is scenic and not quick. Definitely go there on your way UP or From Morella, NOT breaking up your stay there (IMO).

Lodging in Valencia. When you find places you can come back here and I can help guide you towards neighborhoods.

Thanks for the info on Peniscola, lincasanova. Maybe we'll hit Peniscola on our way north, or just save it for another trip.

thank you for your replies. Once I figure out where we want to stay I'll post them