Brits flock to 'best seaside town' in Europe with amazing beaches and food

13 July 2023 , 12:58

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The city of Valencia has a very long and storied history which is reflected in its architecture (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Valencia has been crowned the most beloved European coastal town by a poll of Brits.

A Which? survey of 3,500 readers found that people seem to be looking beyond old classics such as Venice, Malaga and Barcelona towards different destinations.

The Spanish Mediterranean port of Valencia came out on top of the lost of best coastal destinations, scoring very highly in a number of the categories.

Quality of the beaches, seafronts and marinas; attractiveness; food and drink; and value for money were all put to the test, with Valencia seen as being particularly good value and having very nice beaches.

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Brits flock to 'best seaside town' in Europe with amazing beaches and food

There are a number of good beaches near Valencia (AFP via Getty Images)

The city has a lot of strings to its bow, including a great food scene. There are plenty of old-style self-service restaurants, food stalls and fast food chains there, while street corner tapas bars are also worth a look. You can expect to pay £10 for a few small dishes.

Pricier restaurants stretch along the beachfront. For the best choice (and to watch the rich and wealthy), head to the southern end. Here the promenade is called Paseo Neptuno and is next to the luxury Las Arenas resort complex.

A good 20 or so restaurants are packed together just where the beach ends and the America’s Cup Port starts.

The city also has a vibrant cultural scene and is home to an opera house, arts centre, Imax Cinema and Planetarium, L’Umbracle walkway and garden and the El Museo de las Ciencias Principle Felipe science museum.

The city’s Les Falles festival marks the arrival of spring with spectacular fireworks, marches and music from March 15 to 19. Or take a romantic stroll to the cathedral and Turia fountain in Plaza de la Virgen in the heart of the historic district.

If you are in the mood to escape Britain's rainy shores during the winter or spring, then you can do worse than Valencia, where the sea is warm enough to luxuriously swim in from April.

There are plenty of great beaches around the area including Norte de Peñíscola beach, which has a great views towards the castle of Papa Luna as well as as five kilometres of very well-looked after sand.

Racó de Mar beach in Canet de Berenguer is one of the most beautiful in the region and is packed with dunes, beautiful plants and wildlife.

The city's position on the coast means it is not as susceptible to the ferocious heat that is currently plaguing parts of southern, inland Spain.

There is plenty to do in the city (Getty Images)

At the moment the mercury is sitting around the 30C mark, which is hot but not too overwhelming for the average British tourist. Last year it maxed out at 38C.

EasyJet currently has a huge sale with up to £200 off Spain holidays

The history of Valencia, one of the oldest cities in Spain, begins over 2,100 years ago with its founding as a Roman colony. The architecture of Valencia is incredibly diverse, with examples from different time periods including the Gothic Age, the Baroque Age, and the modern works of Santiago Calatrava.

Getting around the city is particularly easy due to Valencia being so well set up for cyclists. It is flat and most bike paths are separated from roads.

Head down the Túria park, a 9 km long run that is one of Spain’s biggest inner city parks which used to be a river until the water was redirected towards the end of the 20th century.

Flights from the UK typically take two to three hours and can be bagged in the summer for around £100. Those committed to more environmentally friendly ways of travelling can reach the eastern Spanish city by train, although it takes at least 15 hours from London.