Barcelona is undoubtedly one of Spain‘s most popular city break destinations, with stunning architecture, a fantastic coastal destination and plenty for tourists to enjoy. However, if you’re looking for a similar holiday with fewer crowds, then experts have suggested opting for the eastern city of Valencia.

The city is the third-most populated municipality in Spain, located on the banks of the Turia.

Travel experts from 1st Move International analysed TikTok “destination dupes” to reveal that Valencia is a great alternative to Barcelona that could also save visitors money.

The experts said: “The Spanish gem clocks up over 1.3M TikTok views, showcasing stunning architecture, mouthwatering food markets, and vibrant nightlife.

Valencia has become a major tourist hub, welcoming over 10M visitors in 2023 alone, offering a less crowded and cheaper holiday destination to its capital counterpart, Barcelona.”

The city is known for being the home of rice dishes such as paella, and now the city has a buzzing culinary scene.

At the heart of Valencia is Mercado Central, the city’s vast Modernista-covered market which dates back to 1928. Visitors can expect incredible seafood counter displays, meat stalls piled high with fresh cuts, and an explosion of colourful fruit and vegetable stalls.

El Publet Restaurant was named one of the best places to eat in the city according to the World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2023. The restaurant has been open since 2012, serving up a menu using locally sourced ingredients from the nearby Albufera Natural Park.

As well as dining and drinks your way around the city, tourists can also enjoy a selection of “must-see” attractions. Lonely Planet lists Iglesia de San Nicolas, Catedral de Valencia and Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias as some of the top attractions.

Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias takes up 350,000 square metres of the old Turia riverbed, occupied by a series of spectacular buildings that are mostly the work of world-famous, locally-born architect Santiago Calatrava. The buildings include a majestic opera house, science museum, aquarium and a 3D cinema.

The city is home to an array of tourist accommodation options, including luxury hotels and self-catered apartments. According to the latest data from booking.com, you can find a stay in the city from as little as £26 in a hostel.