| Cover | Dec. 01, 2019 |
| Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items] | |
| Document Type | 8-K |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Document Period End Date | Dec. 1, 2019 |
| Entity File Number | 1-11277 |
| Entity Registrant Name | VALLEY NATIONAL BANCORP |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0000714310 |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 22-2477875 |
| Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | NJ |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | One Penn Plaza |
| Entity Address, City or Town | New York |
| Entity Address, State or Province | NY |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 10119 |
| City Area Code | (973) |
| Local Phone Number | 305-8800 |
| Written Communications | false |
| Soliciting Material | false |
| Pre-commencement Tender Offer | false |
| Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer | false |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false |
| Common Stock No Par Value [Member] | |
| Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Common stock, no par value |
| Trading Symbol | VLY |
| Security Exchange Name | NASDAQ |
| Noncumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock Series No Par Value [Member] | |
| Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, no par value |
| Trading Symbol | VLYPP |
| Security Exchange Name | NASDAQ |
| Noncumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock Series B No Par Value [Member] | |
| Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B, no par value |
| Trading Symbol | VLYPO |
| Security Exchange Name | NASDAQ |
