Spanish city voted Europe’s best city break, and it’s not Barcelona

When booking European city breaks, most people usually think of places like Paris, Rome and Barcelona.

But a new study shows that these well-known spots are not actually the best Europe has to offer.

Consumer group Which? asked 1,600 of its members to rate their experiences in cities across the continent.

The Polish city of Krakow came out in first place, while Venice took second.

In third place was the beautiful city of Valencia, which beat every other Spanish city, including Barcelona and Madrid, even though both are very popular.

Which? judged each city on seven things, including food and drink, hotels, cultural sights, shopping, how easy it is to get around, how busy it feels and how good the value is.

Valencia, the third-biggest city in Spain, has a brilliant food scene. It is home to Michelin-starred restaurants as well as casual places serving traditional paella, earning five stars in the food category in the Which? survey.

Known for being easy to explore and simple to get around, the city also earned four stars for accessibility and walking. It was also named Spain’s best value-for-money destination, tied with Malaga.

The study showed that the average price for a night in a hotel in Valencia is only £106.

One person who took part in the Which? survey said: “Valencia has it all. A medieval centre with amazing buildings, narrow streets and old markets.”

On TripAdvisor, a visitor wrote: “It is very interesting to walk the streets of Valencia’s old town and get lost, discovering little squares, tiny streets and the fronts of historic houses, including the narrowest house.

And you can stop anywhere for a drink or something to eat. There’s nowhere in Valencia where I don’t eat well.”

Another traveller added: “Valencia’s Casco Histórico is a lively maze full of history, architecture and culture.

From Gothic churches to busy markets and street art, it’s packed with things to see. Don’t miss the Cathedral, La Lonja or the lively Barrio del Carmen. A perfect mix of old and new.”

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