Valencia in Spain gets its own queer hotel with the arrival of Axel

Valencia in Spain is the latest city to get its own Axel Hotel. Axel is the groundbreaking, LGBTQ-focussed but “straight-friendly” brand founded by hotelier Juan Julià. The first Axel hotel opened in 2003 in Barcelona.

This was followed in 2007 by a hotel in Buenos Aires and then Berlin. The chain continues to grow, and Axel Hotel Valencia marks the 11th member of the Axel family.

Axel Hotel Valencia opened at the end of October. It’s located in a 17th-century building in the Casa Vella on Roteros Street No. 25. The location is packed with history. Axel tells GayCities that it was a dance club in the 1970s and home to squatters in the 1990s.

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It’s now “a queer temple featuring a majestic noble room with a dome that’s a cultural heritage landmark of the neighborhood.”

Axel Hotel Valencia offers 72 rooms, including suites. The building’s wooden beams and stone walls are combined with warmly colored tiles and modern luxurious touches.

There’s a wellness club and gym, a rooftop viewpoint over this stunning city, and the Café de Las Horas as a meeting point.

As we’ve reported before, Spain is routinely name-checked as one of the most gay-friendly vacation destinations on the planet. The country recently topped a list of queer-friendly countries for a destination wedding, with 85% of locals saying they feel safe being openly LGBTQ+.

In another recent survey, Spain and Canada both came top in a list of safe countries for LGBTQ+ travelers.

Why Valencia?

Although most visitors to Spain head first to Barcelona or Madrid, Valencia, Spain’s third-largest city, offers a perfect blend of historic charm and modern innovation.

The futuristic City of Arts and Sciences complex features stunning architecture, an oceanographic park, and interactive museums.

The historic center showcases the Gothic Valencia Cathedral, the bustling Central Market—one of Europe’s largest—and the medieval Silk Exchange.

Beach lovers enjoy the urban Malvarrosa Beach along the Mediterranean coast. Valencia is the birthplace of paella, offering exceptional cuisine and a thriving food scene.

The city hosts the explosive Las Fallas festival each March, combining culture, Mediterranean climate, affordable prices, and manageable size for easy exploration.

There’s another big event coming to the city next summer that will specifically attract thousands of queer visitors.

The Gay Games, which take place every four years, are set to take place in Valencia from June 27 to July 4, 2026. If you’re planning on attending, we suggest you book a stay at Axel sooner rather than later!

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New Axel hotels in 2026

After Valencia, expect more Axel hotels in 2026. Following a launch in Mykonos, a second Axel franchise will arrive in Crete next April. This new hotel, Axel Beach Crete, will have 41 rooms.

The Axel Hotel Porto is also scheduled to open in 2026, but no opening date has been confirmed.

Check out more photos from Axel Valencia below.

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