There are certain destinations which fall under the bucket list category and when it comes to must-do city breaks. Barcelona is definitely up there.
Granted, the city has a lot going for it: beautiful Gaudi-designed buildings, beaches and sunshine. However its popularity means it can get rather crowded with tourists, which has led to tension between residents and visitors in recent months.
In fact earlier this summer anti-tourism protests were held in the city which saw tourists squirted with water guns by locals. And if you want to visit a Spanish city with the feel of Barcelona, but one which lies a bit more off the beaten path, then there is an alternative.
Valencia has been dubbed the ‘new Barcelona’ and many travellers have said they actually prefer it thanks to its compact size and fewer crowds of visitors.
Several videos posted on Tik Tok call it an alternative to the Catalan capital and Madrid. Tik Tok user @lauraabornstein shared a video with the caption: “Unpopular opinion: if you’re visiting a city in Spain, it should be Valencia, not Madrid or Barcelona” with one comment reading: “I agree!!! 100%!!”
In a Reddit thread comparing Valencia to Barcelona, several travellers said they would choose the former. Reddit user David J wrote: “Me personally, prefer Valencia over Barcelona. Barcelona has really cool things but it’s way too crowded to enjoy them” and user afterS022 added: “I think there is a lot to do in Valencia as well. It’s smaller but, it’s more clean and also safer than Barcelona. The architecture is beautiful and you can also take day trips if you are ‘bored’. ”
Another commented: “If you’re all about walking and exploring – I think 3 days in Valencia will be totally great. It’s very underrated and a great place to get lost in.” User jukesofhazzard88 said: “Valencia is an amazing city and I actually prefer it over Barcelona”.
Valencia is located further south than Barcelona, just north of Alicante. Thanks to its southernly location It enjoys 300 days of sunshine a year and even in September sees highs in the late 20s, so it’s ideal if you’re after an autumn sunshine break.
Although Barcelona may not have the Sagrada Familia, it does have some incredible buildings of its own, including an impressive cathedral which is home to the Holy Chalice, believed to have been used by Jesus during the last supper. The Gothic style building features a stunning blend of architectural elements, from Romanesque and Baroque.
Another gem in Valencia’s crown is its market, the largest fresh produce market in Europe. The Central Market is found in a gorgeous modernist building packed full of decorative features such as tiles and stained glass which reflect the diverse range of produce for sale. Even if you’re not buying any ingredients, you can sit down and enjoy some tapas at Central Bar, a buzzing bar selling an assortment of dishes within the market.
Like Barcelona, Valencia has several amazing beaches which are within easy reach of the city centre. A stone’s throw away from the Marina is El Cabanyal Beach, which is perfect if you’re after a bit of hustle and bustle, while La Malvarrosa Beach is perhaps the city’s most famous, with fine golden sand and sunbeds for hire.
Although Valencia isn’t a direct flight from Manchester Airport, you can easily reach it from Alicante Airport which is a two hour drive away, or a three-hour train ride. Skyscanner shows flights from Manchester Airport to Alicante starting from £52 one way, with returns available from a similar price.
For more of today’s top stories, click here.
EMEA Tribune is not involved in this news article, it is taken from our partners and or from the News Agencies. Copyright and Credit go to the News Agencies, email news@emeatribune.com Follow our WhatsApp verified Channel
