Valencia – UK Holiday Gateway to Northern Costa Blanca

The Costa Blanca in Spain has long been a popular holiday destination for UK holidaymakers. Most holiday makers arrive through Alicante airport, but thanks to the increase in budget airlines, an increasing number of tourists land at Valencia airport at the northern end of the Costa Blanca.

The distance to Denia is the same as from Alicante making it a good alternative airport for Denia, Javea, Moraira and Calpe, but the city itself is also worth visiting from any of these holiday resorts, whatever your interests are.

Valencia is the capital of the Valencian region of Spain which includes the Costa Blanca. The official regional language “Valenciana” is spoken in the towns and resorts all over the northern Costa Blanca.

One of the biggest attractions is the futuristic “City of Arts and Sciences”. The complex includes an impressive Opera House and Performing Arts centre, Imax Cinema, Planetarium, Laserium, Science Museum and an open-air oceanographic park. Stretching away inland from the City of Arts and Sciences is a unique 7km (4 mile) park, built on a dry river bed, running through the centre of the city. The river itself was diverted around the city many years ago.

For those that like to try the Spanish beaches Valencia has four to choose from, each with their own character. Playa las Arenas is the where the city beaches start and lies next to the America’s Cup Port. This is where various beach events, such as the “Landing of the Moors”, always happen. It is lined with a restaurants and bars, and a few hotels. This is not the place to come for sunbathing, but more for walks and games on the sand. It is also the place you will be sent to try Spain’s most famous dish “Paella Valenciana” in its birthplace.

Further along the coast the beach turns in to the Playa de Cabanyal, which is where the sunbathing, and the crowds, start. This in turn joins on to the Malvarossa Beach, which is the liveliest of all Valencia’s beaches. It is next to the northern Tram Stop and the place were most Valencians go. Although most of the night clubs are in the city centre, there is still a lot going on down at this beach until around 4am. This is generally regarded as the “City Beach”.

The last of Valencia’s beaches is Playa de Patacona which is definitely the quietest of the four beaches. Although still close to the city, the view of it is masked from the beach giving the illusion of space and tranquility. This is the place to come for peace and quiet.

In 2007 Valencia hosted the 32nd America’s Cup, which is the most famous and prestigious regatta in the sport of sailing. The Cup itself was won by the current champions from Switzerland, and because it is a land-locked country the team chose Valencia to host the event, and also to host the next America’s Cup in 2009.

Another big event to please any visiting sports fans, is new European Grand Prix with Valencia being chosen to host one of the races. The Formula One race will be held in the city streets (similar to Monaco) from 2008.

It would be difficult for anyone to get bored in Valencia whatever their interests are. The city has something for everyone from Culture, Sport, Beaches, Food, Bars and Nightclubs, and only an hours drive from Denia and Javea.