Valencia is the third-most populated municipality in Spain, located on the banks of the Turia river. Famed as the birthplace of rice dishes like paella, the city boasts a thriving food scene
Barcelona is undeniably one of Spain’s top city break spots, boasting breathtaking architecture, a brilliant beachfront and a plethora of attractions for tourists. However, if you’re after a similar experience with fewer crowds, experts recommend considering the eastern city of Valencia.
This bustling city, Spain’s third most populous municipality, sits on the banks of the Turia River. Travel experts from 1st Move International analysed TikTok “destination dupes” and discovered that Valencia serves as an excellent alternative to Barcelona, potentially saving visitors some cash.
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The experts shared: “The Spanish gem clocks up over 1.3M TikTok views, showcasing stunning architecture, mouth-watering food markets, and vibrant nightlife.
“Valencia has become a major tourist hub, welcoming over 10M visitors in 2023 alone, offering a less crowded and cheaper holiday destination to its capital counterpart, Barcelona.”
Famed as the birthplace of rice dishes like paella, Valencia now boasts a thriving food scene, reports the Express. At the heart of Valencia lies Mercado Central, the city’s vast Modernista-style market dating back to 1928.
Visitors can look forward to impressive seafood counters, meat stalls brimming with fresh cuts, and a riot of colour at the fruit and vegetable stands.
El Publet Restaurant has recently been heralded as one of the city’s premier dining spots, securing a place on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2023.
Since its opening in 2012, the restaurant prides itself on a menu that champions locally sourced ingredients hailing from the nearby Albufera Natural Park.
Beyond indulging in the city’s culinary and libation delights, visitors can delve into a variety of “must-see” attractions.
Renowned travel guide Lonely Planet spotlights Iglesia de San Nicolas, Catedral de Valencia, and Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias as some of the key highlights.
The expansive Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias spreads over 350,000 square metres in the former Turia riverbed, showcasing an array of awe-inspiring edifices largely designed by the celebrated, homegrown architect Santiago Calatrava.
Notable structures include an imposing opera house, a science museum, an aquarium and a 3D cinema.
With a diverse range of tourist lodgings, the city caters to all preferences, from opulent hotels to self-catering apartments. Recent figures from booking.com indicate that accommodation options start at a budget-friendly £26 in a hostel.