Costa de Valencia

What Alboraya is really like: the home of horchata, the little-Venice canals of Port Saplaya and beaches by Valencia.

What Foios is really like: a Valencian huerta town just north of the city, in tiger-nut orxata country, with the Albufera and beaches nearby.

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.

Small beach town next to Sagunto, about 27 km north of Valencia: 1,250 m Blue Flag beach, a sailing club with 579 berths, rice and seafood.

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

Working town 8 km from Valencia on the Albufera shore: a freshwater lake port with traditional boats, all i pebre and a C-1 train to Valencia Nord in about 13 minutes.

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.