Valencia City holidays

Valencia’s three-and-a-half kilometre seafront prom is around a 20-minute drive from the Old Town, and it’s fitted with three separate beaches. It’s a great place to head for a stroll, with bars, restaurants, and ice-cream parlours lining the walkway.

Las Arenas Beach makes up one of the city’s three beaches. It stretches from Valencia marina for more than a kilometre and its golden sands create a perfect setting for games of volleyball and sandcastle building.

La Devesa Beach is a 30-minute drive from the centre of the city. It’s five kilometres in length which makes finding a secluded spot easy work. It’s pitched inside the Albufera Nature Park, so beach days can be paired up with bird-watching, too.

Plaza Redonda translates as round square, which couldn’t be more fitting for this circle-shaped building. It spans three storeys, with its bottom floor reserved for cafés and arts and craft shops selling handmade souvenirs.

Colon Street is the city’s main shopping street. Shoppers along here can expect to see a collection of famous faces from Europe’s highstreets.

Poeta Querol Street is lined with exclusive shops, with the likes of Boss and Louis Vuitton taking their place here. It’s big for top-end Spanish brands, too, with Carolina Herrera and Loewe both joining the list of big brands.

For a no-fuss night out, head to the Gran Via neighbourhood, it’s known for its style-setting shops and high-end restaurants and bars. Plaza Canovas – one of the main squares – hosts an array of lounge bars.

For big nights out there’s no better spot than El Carmen. Start your night with live music in one of its bars, then head off to night club to cut some shapes.

The history of this Spanish staple is somewhat contested, but many believe its origins began in Valencia. There are plenty of different takes on this dish – Valencia’s version is usually served with a combination of different meats such as rabbit, sausage, and chicken, while a healthy shake of saffron and smoked paprika boosts the flavour.

This recipe’s routes were laid down in a Valencian bar. It’s made using cava, orange juice, gin, and vodka. All ingredients are added to a large pitcher, and left to chill for some time before being served. For an even classier cocktail swap cava for champagne.

Valencia’s famous for its orange trees and one of the best ways to taste them for yourselves is with a Valencian-orange ice-cream. If you’re looking for a combo on your cone, try out orange and mint.

This plant-based beverage is made using tiger nuts – the roots of a wetland plant called a sedge – which grow in big numbers throughout Valencia’s countryside. The taste is sweet and nutty - super refreshing sipped on sunny strolls through the city.

These sweet desserts are best paired with a glass of chilled horchata, they’re long sponge fingers which are dusted with icing sugar. Locals like to dunk it in their drink.