Founded as a Roman colony in the first century, València is a fascinating jigsaw of historic and contemporary architectural styles. The city’s starring construct is its cathedral, an imposing kaleidoscopic clutch of Roman, Gothic, Baroque and Neoclassical influences. Step inside for an encounter with what’s reputed to be the Holy Grail—the chalice that Jesus drank from during the last supper—or admire from afar at one of the tree-shaded cafés lining its adjacent Plaza de la Virgen.

At the other end of the spectrum, the sleek otherworldly City of Arts and Sciences complex bristles with large-scale attractions—an IMAX cinema, opera house and sports arena. Its L’Oceanogràfic is home to sharks, dolphins and beluga whales to name but a few of its 500 resident species.

The likes of El Greco and Goya are easy finds in València’s many art galleries. For something more offbeat, the González Martí Museo Nacional de Ceramica offers a quirky journey through the history of pottery. No need to venture in—its opulent fairy-tale façade is a compelling exhibit in itself.

The golden sweep of Las Arenas is 2km from València’s city centre and is its nearest beach. There are sun loungers and umbrellas to hire, with a lively restaurant-lined promenade for refreshments. Venture further north to the adjoining La Malvarossa. Laid-back and relatively undeveloped aside from a scattering of sea-front cafés, these quieter shores are a firm favourite among locals and families.

The vast freshwater sweep of Parc Natural d’Albufera, separated from the sea by a slim stretch of dunes, is where to decompress from the bustle of city life. Hike or bike your way around its tranquil landscapes, or settle at the sleepy village of El Parmar on the lagoon’s southeastern tip. This is where you’ll find the best paella in Spain—not surprisingly, as the grain is grown in the area.

The pretty Spanish town of Buñol, 30 minutes’ drive inland from València, explodes with juicy scarlet pulp on the last Wednesday of every August. La Tomatina—a very messy tomato-throwing festival—attracts over 20,000 visitors every year to hurl more than 100 tonnes of over-ripe tomatoes, and the aftermath is gory.

Rent a car with Avis in València to take your explorations further, to the hot springs at Montanejos, the serene beach of Port Saplaya and the imposing hilltop fortress of Castell de Xàtiva.