Ever dreamed of moving abroad? According to a new survey from the team at InterNations, Valencia has Europe’s best quality of life for expats.
The city sits on the country’s eastern coast and is Spain’s third largest metropolis. Close to beaches and sunny for much of the year, it’s easy to see why Valencia is a popular place to live.
I travelled to the Spanish city for a mini-break and wanted to see if the city is really as liveable as people say.
Although still not as popular as Barcelona, Valencia is fast becoming one of Spain’s hottest destinations so move fast if you want to beat the crowds.
So what is there to do in Valencia?
READ MORE Europe’s cutest winter city has one of its oldest Christmas markets
Many of the city’s historic sights are located in the Old Town which is easily explored on foot. I loved the pretty Plaza de la Virgen square and the city’s cathedral.
Valencia has a reputation for food and one of the best places to enjoy its culinary delights is Mercat Colon Gastro. From fresh juice to serrano ham and cheese, it’s the perfect place to pick up lunch.
Paella was born in Valencia and I enjoyed a couple during my trip. Although it might feel more suitable for dinner, paella is traditionally eaten at lunch so try to grab a table in the early afternoon for an authentic experience.
Don’t miss…
‘Amazing’ walkable city is one of Europe’s prettiest destinations[WALKABLE]
Tourists slammed for dangerous behaviour at the world’s best but deadly beach[LATEST]
The pretty winter destination that’s Europe’s cafe and coffeehouse capital[INSPIRATION]
- Support fearless journalism
- Read The Daily Express online, advert free
- Get super-fast page loading
Expats told InterNations they loved Valencia’s green spaces and I was really impressed by the city’s huge park, Turia.
Created in an old riverbed, the huge park has so much space for walking, picnics or bike rides and it’s a great place to spend an afternoon under the sun.
There are a couple of beaches just outside the city centre and we visited Playa de La Malvarrosa for an afternoon. The sandy beach has plenty of space to relax but it’s the most scenic of Spanish beaches so I’d recommend travelling a little further from the city if you have more time.
I didn’t make it to the city’s aquarium but I heard rave reviews so it’s definitely one to add to your list, especially if you’re travelling with children.
Overall, I think it’s easy to see why Valencia is so popular with expats. It’s affordable with plenty of bars and restaurants to suit every budget and it’s easy to explore on foot. Of course, the weather helps.
More attracted by island lifestyle? On one idyllic Greek island, one in three residents live until their 90s.
Source: Read Full Article