TOPLINE TRAVEL: Valencia

Outline Málaga, so long. Barcelona, be gone. Because València, on Spain’s eastern coast, is now the number one European seaside destination, according to a Which? poll. It’s also the birthplace of paella and resting place of the Holy Grail, so beat that.

Beeline València’s handsome old town is home to its cathedral, where a sacred cup is housed – supposedly used by Jesus at the Last Supper and borrowed by many a pope since. Nip in for a look before heading up the bell tower’s 207 steps for sweeping views of the city. This part of town is a mishmash of narrow streets and vast squares; the ornate fountains of Plaza de La Virgen offer the ultimate photo spot.

Picket line Hooray for the people of València who, after the River Turia was diverted in the 1960s to avoid flooding, protested against plans to turn the space into a highway. It’s now a six-mile tree-filled haven, the Turia Gardens, packed with playgrounds, fountains, gardens and pathways.

València, on Spain’s eastern coast, is now the number one European seaside destination, according to a Which? poll. Stock image used

Skyline At one end of the Turia Gardens looms the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences, a space-age complex designed by local architect Santiago Calatrava and completed in 2005. It includes a ship-shaped opera house, interactive science museum, domed Imax theatre and Oceanogràfic, Europe’s largest aquarium.

Waistline Rumbling stomach? Head to the Mercado Central food market, housed in art-nouveau splendour. It’s packed with vendors selling cheese, charcuterie and gift-worthy oils and spices. The Central Bar is a go-to tapas spot, although queues peak at lunchtime, so time your sharing plates for elevenses or a mid-afternoon snack.

Coastline Playa de Las Arenas is València’s main beach – an extensive sandy stretch where you can sunbathe and splash through the Mediterranean waves. Head down a palm-lined pathway to the Hotel Las Arenas Balneario Resort, a beachfront property with sea-view balconies (from around £125 a night, hotelvalencialasarenas.com). Non-guests can enjoy a taste of the high life, too, by booking into the spa, where sightseeing-knotted calves can be pummelled by skilled therapists (massages from around £50). Nearby Lindala Hotel has a thriving restaurant and budget-friendly rooms (from around £85 a night, lindalavalencia.com).

Central line Prefer the heart of the city? Sleek Hotel Helen Berger is in a neoclassical building in the La Seu district (from around £155 a night, hotelhelenberger.com). Or try Hospes Palau de la Mar, with its sweeping marble staircase and subterranean spa (from around £130 a night, hospes.com).

Rumbling stomach? Head to the Mercado Central food market, housed in art-nouveau splendour. Stock image used

Get in line Head to beachside La Paz for traditional Valèncian paella (with rabbit, chicken and green beans). Another popular spot is Casa Montaña, a Valèncian institution that has been serving artists and intellectuals since 1836. With an extensive wine cellar and top-class tapas, the tricky thing is narrowing down your order: grilled calamari, home-cured chorizo and clóchinas (Valèncian mussels) come highly recommended.

Hotline Ruzafa is València’s hippest neighbourhood, and has all the Instagrammable cafés you’d expect. Don’t miss brunch favourite Dulce de Leche (check out its fabulous cakes @ddlboutique_).

Party line València is nicknamed the ‘city of joy’, and never is this more evident than during the Fallas celebrations in March. Expect colourful artworks, raucous street parties and fireworks every day for three weeks.

Airline Most budget airlines fly here from the UK, from around £300 return; flight time two and a half hours.

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