time to EXPLORE

Spain and gain

- Rohan Smyth

If the Big Apple is the city that never sleeps, then the Big Orange - Valencia - is the city that's ever-sleek.

Spain's third-largest city has proved itself a master of reinvention over the years, yet for all its modern touches it still retains lots of charming reminders of its colourful past.

And with plenty on offer for history and culture buffs, as well as families, nature lovers, fitness fanatics, foodies and sun-seekers, it really should be at the top of the list for any traveller looking for the perfect city break.

A great way to kick off your visit is with a guided tour of the Old Town, which will give you a sense of Valencia's rich and storied history.

First stop is the Ajuntament de Valencia, or the City Hall. These buildings are commonly known as 'ayuntamientos' throughout Spain, but the city is very proud of its native language Valencian, a fact also evident in the street signs using the word 'carrer' instead of 'calle.

With the Irish language having a revival back home, it is always heartening to see local tongues fighting back.

The Ajuntament, which is the seat of the local government, is a very imposing edifice and incorporates a former school, the Casa de la Enseñanza. It houses a museum and an impressive marble stairway inside, but the main attraction is a balcony where visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the bustling plaza all around.

While on the balcony, cast your eyes upwards for a glance at the Ajuntament's clock tower, which bears the city’s coat of arms complete with a towering statue of a bat, the spirit animal of Valencia. Legend has it that during a 13th-century battle between Christians and Muslims, one of the winged critters alerted Jaume I and his troops as they rested in a camp to a surprise attack by the Muslim army.