Barcelona, with its stunning architecture, brilliant beachfront and a host of tourist attractions, is undoubtedly one of Spain’s top city break destinations. However, if you’re seeking a similar experience with fewer crowds, travel experts suggest considering Valencia, the eastern Spanish city.
Valencia, Spain’s third-largest city, is situated on the banks of the Turia River. According to 1st Move International, who analysed TikTok “destination dupes”, Valencia serves as an excellent alternative to Barcelona, potentially saving visitors money. The experts revealed: “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.”
Known as the birthplace of rice dishes like paella, Valencia now boasts a thriving food scene. The city’s vast Modernista-style market, Mercado Central, dating back to 1928, lies at the heart of Valencia, reports the Mirror.
Visitors can anticipate impressive seafood counters, meat stalls overflowing with fresh cuts, and a riot of colour at the fruit and vegetable stands.
El Publet Restaurant has recently been recognised as one of the city’s top dining spots, securing a place on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2023.
Since its launch in 2012, the eatery boasts a menu that features locally sourced produce from Albufera Natural Park nearby.
Aside from savouring the city’s gastronomic and beverage offerings, tourists are spoilt for choice with a plethora of “must-see” sites.
The prestigious travel manual Lonely Planet sheds light on Iglesia de San Nicolas, Catedral de Valencia, and Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias as top attractions to visit.
Within the vast expanse of Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, which covers over 350,000 square metres in the old Turia riverbed, stands a collection of breathtaking structures largely envisioned by renowned local architect Santiago Calatrava.
These monumental buildings include an impressive opera house, a science museum, an oceanarium, and a 3D cinema.
Valencia offers a wealth of accommodation to suit every taste, ranging from lavish hotels to homely self-service flats. The latest data from booking.com suggests visitors can find stays starting at a mere £26 in a hostel.
