How to Meet Other Expats in Valencia: 10 Ways (2026)

Updated: 27 October 2026

The quickest ways to meet other expats in Valencia are language exchanges (intercambios), Meetup and InterNations groups, coworking spaces, sports clubs and Facebook groups. You will be in good company: on 1 January 2025, 165,636 of the city's 844,424 registered residents (19.6%) were foreign nationals, according to the Valencia City Council padrón. If you rent with Globexs, Globexs Community events and partner perks are included for mid-stay tenants.

Arriving soon? Start in one of our furnished apartments in Valencia for 1 to 11 months while you build your circle.

10 ways to meet other expats in Valencia at a glance

#	Way	Good for	Where to start
1	Language exchanges	Practising Spanish, meeting locals and internationals	Valencia Language Exchange, cafés in Russafa and El Carmen
2	Meetup groups	Hobbies, hiking, diving, professional groups	Meetup Valencia
3	InterNations	Networking and social events	InterNations Valencia
4	Coworking	Remote workers and freelancers	Coworking spaces across the city
5	Sport	Beach volleyball, football, padel, running	Timpik app, local clubs
6	Courses	Spanish, cooking, art	Language schools and academies
7	Events and festivals	Weekends, culture, Fallas	Love Valencia event listings
8	Facebook groups	Quick questions and local tips	Expats living and working in Valencia
9	Volunteering	Deeper friendships while helping others	Cruz Roja, animal shelters
10	Globexs Community	Globexs tenants	Monthly Chill & Chat at the Globexs office

1. Go to intercambios (language exchanges)

An intercambio pairs people who want to practise each other's languages, usually over a drink. It is the easiest way to meet both Valencians and other foreigners in one evening. Valencia Language Exchange organises regular exchanges and excursions, and many cafés in Russafa and El Carmen host their own. Try to pair up with a local: your Spanish will improve faster, and you may soon stop being the guiri of the group.

2. Join Meetup groups

Download Meetup, choose Valencia and join the groups that match your interests: hiking, board games, photography, diving with groups such as Buceo Valencia, or business networking. You can also start your own group if what you are looking for does not exist yet.

3. Try InterNations

InterNations Valencia runs social and networking events for internationals. It suits professionals who have just arrived and want to meet many people quickly.

4. Work from a coworking space

If your job allows it, a coworking space gives you a desk, a routine and colleagues to have lunch with. Valencia has many, from large networks such as Wayco to small neighbourhood spaces: see our list of coworking spaces in Valencia.

5. Play sport

With mild weather most of the year, Valencia lives outdoors. Beach volleyball on Malvarrosa beach, padel, running along the Turia gardens and five-a-side football are all easy ways to join a group. The Timpik app helps you find players for a game. Be ready for late kick-offs: evening matches often start after 21:00.

6. Take a course

A Spanish course is the obvious choice, but cooking classes (yes, including paella), art workshops and dance lessons work just as well. You meet the same people every week, which is how acquaintances turn into friends.

7. Go to events and festivals

There is something on almost every weekend: concerts, markets, exhibitions and, in March, Fallas, when the whole city is out on the streets. Love Valencia lists what is happening in the city.

8. Use Facebook groups

Facebook groups are where newcomers ask practical questions and find meetups. The group Expats living and working in Valencia brings together newly arrived and long-time residents; posts are moderated so the group stays useful. Apps such as Bumble BFF also help you find friends, not only dates.

9. Volunteer

Volunteering is one of the best ways to meet people with shared values. Animal shelters regularly look for volunteers to walk and care for dogs, and Cruz Roja (the Spanish Red Cross) runs programmes across the city.

10. Join Globexs Community events

Everyone renting a Globexs apartment or coliving room is part of Globexs Community without signing up for anything. Our community managers host monthly Chill & Chat evenings at the Globexs office in Valencia, plus tours, workshops and online sessions, and most events run in English and Spanish. Tenants also get discounts with 46 local partners, from coworkings to language schools. See the upcoming community events.

Where to live if you want a social life

Your neighbourhood shapes your social life. Russafa and El Carmen are full of cafés, bars and coworkings; Benimaclet has a relaxed, student feel; El Cabanyal and the area near Malvarrosa put you next to the beach. Compare them in our guide to the best areas to live in Valencia as an expat, then browse furnished apartments in Valencia.

Staying longer? The Globexs legal department in Valencia helps with NIE, TIE, residence permits and visas such as the Digital Nomad Visa, so the paperwork does not keep you at home.

Say sí

The best advice is the simplest: say yes. To the drink after the intercambio, the Sunday paella, the match at 22:00. Valencians appreciate any effort to speak Spanish or Valencian, and a little respect and curiosity go a long way. Do one social thing a week and within a couple of months you will have your own circle in Valencia.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I meet other expats in Valencia?

Start with a language exchange, a Meetup or InterNations event, or a coworking space. Sports groups, courses and volunteering help you meet the same people regularly, which makes it easier to build friendships.

Are there expat groups in Valencia, Spain?

Yes. InterNations Valencia, many Meetup groups and Facebook groups such as Expats living and working in Valencia are active. Globexs tenants can also join Globexs Community events.

Is there a large international community in Valencia?

Yes. On 1 January 2025, 19.6% of Valencia's registered residents (165,636 people) were foreign nationals, according to the city's padrón. The largest groups came from Colombia, Italy, Venezuela and Ukraine.

Can I make friends in Valencia if I don't speak Spanish?

Yes. Many expat events run in English, and language exchanges are designed for people who are still learning. Learning some Spanish helps you connect with Valencians too.

How do Globexs Community events work?

Events and partner perks are included for mid-stay Globexs tenants, with no sign-up needed. Long-term tenants can join through the Globexs Community Membership.