Things to Do in Valencia

On the 12th March, Valencia’s showcase event ‘Las Fallas’ begins. Essentially a competition to build giant figures, the festival ends in their being set alight with a hail of fireworks and one huge party.

Valencian cuisine is typified by countless different rice dishes. Amongst these is, of course, paella - but quite unlike the pale imitation you get in many other parts of Spain. ‘Paella Valencia’ is an absolute titan of Spanish cuisine; unmissable.

Valencia manages to fit all the great things about a big city like fantastic nightlife, culture and sights into one package… and then it crams in beaches, too. The beaches of Malvarossa and Las Arenas are just a stone’s throw from the city center. Saler, a little further afield, is cleaner and less crowded.

Valencia’s cathedral is a spectacular mix of architectural styles. Looming over the Plaza de la Reina, its tower - the Miguelete - offers wonderful views of the surrounding city.

Valencia’s nightlife is, in all seriousness, one of the best in Europe. Chicly designed bars and clubs sit side by side with scruffy old locals serving up delicious tapas. Specific areas are too many to mention but on Calle Cavallers in the Barrio del Carmen, the pace is unrelenting.