Expat community in Valencia: where to meet people
Meeting people is often a priority when you move to Valencia. Language exchanges, sports groups and neighbourhood activities offer different ways to get started, so pick one that suits your interests, language level and schedule.
Find your first group in Valencia
Start with an activity you would enjoy even if you arrived alone. Try a few options, then return to the ones where you feel comfortable.
Practise Spanish
Explore the language exchange listings below.
Stay active
Try a social padel session or another sport that matches your level.
Explore a hobby
Browse International Club Valencia's activities.
Connect professionally
Explore coworking communities and chambers of commerce.
Take part locally
Look at neighbourhood associations, workshops and community activities.
Expat groups and international communities
Online communities help you ask practical questions and discover activities. To meet people in person, look for upcoming events with clear joining instructions.
Social events and interest groups
An international community with local events and activities. Check the next listing for membership requirements, admission conditions and any fees.
Local questions and recommendations
Discussions about moving to Valencia and everyday life. You may need to sign in or request membership to view posts, and we could not verify recent activity. Read the group rules before posting.
Community discussions
Another group for local questions and recommendations. Recent activity may only be visible after joining, and we could not verify it. Confirm tax and residency advice with a qualified professional.
Activities organised around shared interests
Search for language practice, hiking, board games, technology and other interests. Check the event language, location, price and booking requirements.
Social activities, culture and shared interests
A community offering a range of activities, many in English. It is mainly a social group, although its calendar also includes language exchanges. Check each listing for location, price and joining conditions.
Language exchanges (intercambios)
Photo: U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jett Morgan, Public domain
Location: Venues vary by event, including Palau Alameda, Bigben and Madre El Cabanyal
Schedule: Check the current calendar
The organiser lists language exchanges and social activities at different venues. Formats and start times vary, so choose an event and confirm its details before attending.
Location: Olh枚ps Craft Beer House, Carrer de Sueca 21
Schedule: Upcoming listings advertise Thursdays at 20:00
Practise Spanish and English at this exchange organised by 2Day Languages and Olh枚ps. Confirm the next date and any admission or drinks requirements before you go.
Sports and activity groups
A recurring sports session gives you a shared activity and a reason to meet again. Choose a group that matches your level, and check the language used during sessions, whether beginners are welcome, equipment and booking requirements, and prices and cancellation conditions. Prefer a class or individual training? Explore our gyms and wellness directory for fitness studios, yoga and Pilates and martial arts, or read our padel guide.
An international community offering social padel sessions for different levels. Check the event listing for the venue, equipment, price and booking conditions.
Find a running group
Explore current club listings on Meetup and Strava (Strava may ask you to sign in). Look for a group that states its pace, distance and meeting point, and ask whether newcomers can join a trial run.
Find a cycling group
Explore cycling communities through Strava's club search and Meetup. Before joining a ride, confirm the route, distance, elevation and expected pace, and any membership or equipment requirements.
Beyond the expat bubble: how to meet Valencians
Expat groups get you a first circle fast, but the deepest Valencia friendships happen where locals already are. Four ways in that are not on any guide.
Photo: B25es, CC BY-SA 4.0
Ask about your local Fallas commission
A casal faller is the meeting place of a Fallas commission. Contact a nearby commission to ask about membership, fees and activities open to non-members, since joining conditions vary. Start with the [FALLAS-JCF-SOURCE]Junta Central Fallera website[/FALLAS-JCF-SOURCE] to explore Fallas and its commissions.
Become a regular
Choose a caf茅, market stall or class you enjoy and return regularly. A greeting or a short conversation can be a starting point. Familiarity may make it easier to connect, but friendships develop at their own pace.
Find the pachanga at your local plaza
The Saturday padel or football pachanga at your barrio's plaza is never on Meetup. Ask at the corner bar or the estanco. That is where valencianos play, and where the invitation to the next barbacoa comes from.
Go to your barrio's fiestas, not the ones on the poster
Skip the big Ayuntamiento masclet脿 once and go to your barrio's own fiestas: correfoc, verbena, patron saint week. Ask at your casal or the junta municipal for the dates. Small, loud, and every neighbour is there.
Your first month: a simple social plan
Use your first month to discover which activities fit your routine. There is no deadline for building friendships, and a manageable routine is easier to keep than a calendar full of commitments.
Explore
Look at two communities and attend one activity.
Return
Go back to an event you enjoyed.
Try something different
Explore a class, sports session or professional meetup.
Choose your routine
Keep the activities you want to attend regularly.
Professional networking and coworking communities
Choose events around your industry, a topic you want to learn about or a professional challenge you share with others.
Photo: Choinowski, CC BY-SA 4.0
Industry and business events
Explore business and technology events on Meetup. Check the topic, intended audience and event language before registering.
Coworking activities
Explore our guide to coworking spaces in Valencia. Ask each space about talks, lunches and workshops, whether non-members can attend, and any admission fee.
Business associations
Use our guide to chambers of commerce in Valencia to find relevant organisations, then check their calendars and whether events are open to visitors or reserved for members.
Valencia expat community: your questions
Is Valencia a good city for expats?
Do I need Spanish to live in Valencia?
What is an intercambio?
Are there professional networking events?
How long to build a social circle?
Ready to join the Valencia expat community?
We help you settle faster, from choosing the right area to connecting with trusted groups and local professionals.