Sitting on a beautiful stretch of Mediterranean coast and bisected by a winding six-mile park that follows the old river, Valencia is a city that has seamlessly combined historic features and architectural elegance with the natural features it was blessed with.
Long overlooked in favour of the sprawling capital Madrid or perennially popular Barcelona, Valencia is beginning to show up more on the tourism radar. The city is happy for others to remain the dominant destinations, avoiding the overtourism that has plagued its Iberian neighbours and retaining its delightful balance of nature and city life.
A mix of palm-lined boulevards and tight-knit alleyways dominate its lively Old Town and the surrounding laid-back barrios. Gothic and modernist buildings add to an already abundant sense of Spanish charm, with the City of Arts and Sciences providing a dash of futuristic creativity.
Add in a refreshing lack of crowds, year-round sun and a gastronomic scene that belies its modest size, and Valencia has the ideal recipe for a weekend break (or longer). Discover the best of the city, but be sure to take some time exploring aimlessly, as you never know what you might find here.
What to do
Get to know the neighbourhoods
The Old Town, known as Ciutat Vella, is the heart of the city, linked by three squares. Start at Plaza del Ayuntamiento, the largest square in the city and home to the striking 18th-century City Hall, a vast post office featuring an intricate stained-glass ceiling and a daily flower market that has been operating from here since the 20th century.
From here, head north, firstly to Plaza de la Reina – the most scenic square in the city and a great place for a lunch, whether you fancy Italian, tapas or just sandwiches and crepes – and then to Plaza de la Virgen, which looks onto the cathedral and links the Old Town with the Carmen neighbourhood.
The city’s cathedral can be found on Plaza de la Virgen
(Getty Images)
Carmen and hipster, international Ruzafa leave behind large plazas and well-known brands in favour of independent shops and hole-in-the-wall bars, hidden among a network of narrow alleys and cobbled streets. These are two of the main nightlife areas, though in the day they serve locals gathering for a quick coffee, a family lunch or a simple perusal of new stock.
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