Mislata: A Cheaper Base Next to Valencia, No Beach
Dense town of 47,079 people right beside Valencia, with no beach: a cheaper base with metro links to the city, the airport and the March Falles.
Paterna: Cave Houses, the Tower and Fallas
What Paterna is really like — hillside cave houses, a medieval tower and a lively Fallas tradition on the edge of Valencia.
Llíria: Roman Remains, Two Town Bands and Metro Line 2 from Valencia
Inland town 25 km north-west of Valencia: Iberian and Roman sites, Arab baths, UNESCO Creative City of Music since 2019, metro line 2. No beach.
Sueca: Rice Fields, Albufera and El Perelló Beach
What Sueca is really like — Albufera rice country, the paella heartland, and quiet beaches like El Perelló south of Valencia.
Cullera: Castle, Júcar Mouth and Paella Country
Coastal town 38 km south of Valencia: hilltop castle, pirate museum in a cave, 11 beaches at the Júcar mouth and rice-country paella.
Sagunto: Castle, Roman Theatre and the Coast
What Sagunto is really like — a hilltop castle, a restored Roman theatre and a separate beach town on the Costa de Valencia.
Gandia: Borja Palace, Old Town and Nord Beach
Town of 83,135 on the Costa Valenciana: Borja ducal palace, old town, Bairén Castle and a beach district 2 km away. Where to stay and what to eat.
Valencia: Old Town, Beaches and City of Arts
What Valencia is really like — a walkable old town, the City of Arts and Sciences, paella’s birthplace and a long city beach.
Sanlúcar de Barrameda
What Sanlúcar de Barrameda is really like — Manzanilla sherry, beach horse races, langostinos at Bajo de Guía and boat trips to Doñana National Park.
Chiclana de la Frontera
What Chiclana de la Frontera is really like — the 8 km Barrosa beach, the Sancti Petri island castle, pine dunes and Novo Sancti Petri golf on the Costa de la Luz.