Twenty years ago Valencia was something of a poor relation amongst Spanish cities. Madrid had capital status, Barcelona had the Olympics, Seville had the Expo, but Valencia, apart from the old town, had little to bring in the tourists. So the city went on an ambitious building programme. Huge projects like local architect Santiago Calatrava?s City of Arts and Sciences has completely changed the face of the city. But while the historic city centre and the futuristic may attract your interest, any Valencian will tell you that getting to grips with the lifestyle will make your stay more memorable.

Year-round sunshine
Valencia gets over 300 days of sunshine a year, Valencia is a beach city, there are over ten miles of beaches around Valencia and Malvarosa is the most popular, and the easiest one to reach, you won't be disappointed as the beach is so long and so wide, that you're almost guaranteed a space.

A bar to suit everyone
Like other Spanish cities, Valencia?s bars hadn?t even begun to fill up by the time pubs in the UK are generally closing. But a night out in Valencia should by all accounts be something special. Spaniards say this is the city that really knows how to party. Most of Valencia?s best haunts are packed into a small area. And there?s a bar to suit everyone, from the eclectic to the mainstream.

Paddy fields in Spain?
A 20 minute drive from the city centre will take you to the fertile farmlands that are the historic source of the city?s prosperity. But they don?t just grow the oranges, lemons, onions and grapes you might expect. South of the city you will find acres of paddy fields.

Rice is central to the local diet: Valencia is the home of paella. For the real McCoy, head for the rural communities just outside Valencia, where it?s cooked traditionally.

Verdict: Not as cosmopolitan as other Spanish cities but very Spanish in its own way. With brilliant night life and great beaches.