Costa Dorada
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Spain’s story is well told on a city break to Valencia city, it’s one of the country’s oldest names on the map.
Valencia is Spain’s third largest city, trailing after Madrid and Barcelona. Despite its bronze medal placement, it boasts one of the country’s biggest historical centres. And with more than 2,000 years of history to its name, it’s one of the oldest, too. In a similar fashion to Barcelona, city breaks here don’t have to be purely focused on ticking sights off – the city’s home to more than 20 kilometres of sand and three of its best beaches are a 20-minute drive from the Old Town.
History-buffs have traced Valencia’s history to a time before the first century, when a Roman colony settled here. The city’s reins have been held by many hands, and it was even once handed the title of Spain’s capital. Many of the city’s rulers have left their stamp, which gives Valencia’s Old Town a patchwork-quilt feel. The Gothic-style Silk Exchange is a reminder of the city’s plot on the Silk Road – it’s where the city’s rich residents used to come to buy silk from China. The city’s cathedral on the other hand doesn’t fit just one mould, with a mix of Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic styles on show. Its 50-metre-high bell tower is well worth climbing for a panoramic view of the city.
Valencia city does well for beaches in its own right, but if you fancy a change of scene there’s a host of holiday heavyweights within driving distance. The Costa Blanca runs right along Spain’s south coast for more than 150 kilometres. Benidorm’s the big name here, but there are plenty of other places on the map well worth a visit. You can continue your Spanish history tour in Calpe, where highlights include Roman ruins and time-worn churches. Or, test out another of the region’s best beaches with a trip to Playa de San Juan. The latter’s around a two-hour trip by car, while you’re looking at a driving time of around 90 minutes to Calpe.
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.
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