Beaches Around Valencia

Valencia's main urban beach is Malvarrosa — easy to get to from the center city, and lined with cafes, paella restaurants and chiringuitos (beach bars). We went there for paella at Casa Carmela (see the food and drink section). Just to the south, it merges into Las Arenas, slightly more upscale and home to many of the famous beachfront paella spots. For something more low-key, head north to Patacona (a little more local) or south to El Perelló — a quiet coastal town past the Albufera where Joey's host family has an apartment. Joey spent summers there as a teenager, even spearfishing for octopus (don't worry, they didn't let him use the spear gun).