In Valencia, you can spend a morning unpicking the city’s history in an ancient cathedral before an afternoon of modern art or the aquatic thrills of a world-class aquarium. The balancing act of modern and vintage is an artform here and is best expressed in the different flavours of the city’s neighbourhoods. Whether you want a hip urban hangout or an authentic district where fishermen have lived for centuries, it’s all on offer.
The vital Valencia
The modern heart of Valencia is based around a revitalised riverbed and takes the form of what looks like a stray UFO. The Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias – City of Art and Sciences – is a stunning piece of work by Santiago Calatrava, a gleaming beacon for the city. Inside there’s an aquarium, opera house, science museum, cinema, and places to eat and drink.
It juxtaposes beautifully with the city’s cathedral which, like many throughout Spain, is built on the site of earlier places of worship that help delineate Valencia’s story. A Roman temple once stood here, then a mosque, while the current church is from the 13th century. It’s home to the ‘Holy Grail’, allegedly, but the wonderful works by Goya inside are definitely original.
Other can’t miss sights include the graceful Turia Gardens, the 15th century silk exchange La Lonja and the buzzing Mercato Centrale. The market is the place to go for tapas or for perfect Spanish titbits for a picnic in the park
The bronze age
Like its northern neighbour Barcelona, Valencia is a city-by-the-sea, combining urban charm with the good life on the beach. A trio of beaches are within easy reach, all of them Blue Flag. Choose between Las Arenas, El Cabanal or Malvarrosa – all offer fine sand, lovely swimming and plenty of facilities. You can indulge in watersports or windsurfing or go snorkelling in the mild sea – before drying off at a chiringuito – the beachside snack bars.
Towns to treasure
While you can use Valencia Airport car hire as a jumping-off point to head to Catalonia or the household names of the Costa del Sol, there are some fantastic, off the beaten track towns within a short drive. You’ll be seeing the real Spain and avoiding the worst of the coastal crowds too.
Head for the old town of Altea with its pretty church and warren of atmospheric streets, or the whitewashed Peniscola. The latter boasts a 13th century castle hewn from the rock, once home to a pope. Game of Thrones fans with a keen eye may spot some locations that served as Meereen.
The walled town of Morella is more than worth the diversion too, an old fortress crumbles romantically while the centre is all narrow streets and artisan textile makers. There’s a similar vibe in Xativa, once ruled by Moorish invaders and Romans. Wander the castle and gorgeous churches, before continuing your coastal sojourn.
See all that Valencia has to offer when you book car hire at Valencia Airport, the perfect place to start your Spanish adventure.