Costa de Valencia

What Alzira is really like: a historic island town on the Júcar river, ringed by old walls and orange groves in the Ribera Alta of Valencia.

What Ontinyent is really like: the Pou Clar river pools, a medieval La Vila quarter, a tall bell tower and a lively Moros i Cristians festival near Valencia.

What Oliva is really like: 10 km of dune-backed beaches, a hilltop old town and windsurfing waters between Gandia and Denia on the Costa de Valencia.

Guide to Canet de Berenguer — the Blue Flag Racó beach, Sagunto’s neighbour on the Costa de Valencia, and a quieter base 30 minutes from Valencia.

What Burjassot is really like: the historic Los Silos granary, a lively university-town feel and quick metro links into central Valencia.

What Catarroja is really like: a town on Valencia’s Albufera lagoon, its harbour and paella heartland, just minutes south of the city.

Guide to Silla — the southern gateway to the Albufera natural park: boat trips from its port, rice fields, paella country and Valencia commuter links.

Guide to Tavernes de la Valldigna — the Valldigna valley town with its own quiet beach strip, orange groves, mountain trails and monastery nearby.

What El Puig de Santa Maria is really like — a landmark monastery, a quiet beach and a decisive place in Valencia’s reconquest, just north of the city.

What Buñol is really like — home of La Tomatina, a medieval castle and cool river pools in the hills west of Valencia.