Valencia for under £100 a night ...

Spain’s third largest city offers diverse architecture, buzzy nightlife — and delicious paella WE POUND THE STREETS ... YOU REAP THE REWARDS!

Apologies to gaudi and other devotees of Barcelona, but Valencia is every bit the equal of the Catalan capital when it comes to buildings that stop you in your tracks. spain’s third largest city is also one of the most exuberant, blending daring designs with superlative seafood, sensational street art and the greatest paella you’ll ever taste.

Where to stay Rooms Ciencias

Some locals claim this place is a mere hostel. Not a bit of it. It’s a superb value hotel just a few minutes’ walk from the City of Arts And Sciences complex. Rooms are white, minimal and Scandi in design, while the staff are a font of local knowledge, encouraging you to use the (cheap and safe) bus network rather than taking cabs. B&B doubles from £90, roomsciencias.com

Ad Hoc Monumental

THERE’S nothing monumental about the size of this bijou, late 19th-century townhouse. Close to the gardens on the dry Turia riverbed, there’s a rickety charm about the curled ceiling beams,

tiled floors and patio garden. oozing old Valencia character, it’s on a side street that’s surprisingly quiet for somewhere so central. B&B doubles from £92, adhochotels.com

■ Primus

The exterior of this huge complex screams corporate tedium. But

inside is vastly more creative, with a spooky, galactic-sized reception area, with indoor and outdoor pool, plus late checkout of 2pm.

B&B doubles from £91, hotelprimusvalencia.com

■ Melia Plaza

THERE aren’t many european cities where a room bang in the

centre is yours for under £100 but melia Plaza manages the feat with panache in a wedding cake building with an outdoor terrace with knockout views over the city.

Breakfast is a mighty £30 extra, so walk across to Placa de l’Ajuntament for a huge jamon Iberico bocadillo at the Beher cafe for £4.20.

B&B Doubles from £99, melia.com

Where to eat ■ Mercado Central

THIS Art Nouveau behemoth has been serving up the finest local produce for a century and is one of the largest covered markets in europe. You’re bound to get lost amid the aisles selling giant jamones, cuttlefish, oranges and cheeses, but do keep walking until you find the Central Cafe.

Be prepared to wait for a bar stool at the counter, but it’s worth the queue for a pork loin, onion, mustard and cheese sandwich for just £5.50 ( m.centralbar.es).

■Casa Montana

RIGHT in the middle of the timeless el Cabanyal neighbourhood lies one of the best tapas bars in the city. Casa montana is a 19th-century bodega where fried anchovies and codfish croquette tapas dishes are around £2 each ( emiliano

bodega.com).

■Bodega la Pascuala

AROUND for a century, this is a favoured haunt of locals on their way to watch Valencia CF play football. one of the best spots in Valencia to try almuerzo — the tradition of eating a huge sandwich between breakfast and lunch.

As long as a giraffe’s neck, they start at just £8 for a cofrade filled with white pork loin, serrano ham and tomato that will keep you stuffed until evening tapas time ( pedidos.bodegalapascuala.es).

How to get there

BRITISH Airways ( ba.com) flies direct to Valencia from London heathrow and gatwick with return flights from £91.17. more information at visitvalencia.com