The number of British visitors to the Spanish city of Valencia continues to grow, surpassing the 100,000 mark in 2017. The record figure was aided by new direct flights from three UK airports – London Luton, Glasgow and Edinburgh – that made the city easily accessible to British travellers across the country.
In total, UK arrivals to Spain’s third largest city reached 108,624 in 2017, recording a 14.2% year-on-year increase. Similarly, overnight stays grew to 321,996, up by 17.2% compared to 2016. Valencia remains a favourite destination for British holidaymakers who, along with the Italian and Dutch, top the list of international source markets for the city.
The number of British visitors to Valencia is anticipated to receive a further boost in 2018, as the Spanish city will gain direct link with two more UK airports, Bristol (Ryanair will begin a new service in March) and Belfast International (new flights by Easyjet launch in June). The latest additions will bring the number of UK airports connected to Valencia up to nine, making it simpler to reach than ever before for British travellers.
Whether for a short break or a longer holiday, Valencia is blessed with 300 days of sunshine, coupled with a laid-back Mediterranean lifestyle and a vibrant mix of culture, history and architecture.
In 2018, visitors will have even more reasons to visit the city – with Valencia’s icon, the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences, celebrating its 20th anniversary throughout the year with a series of special events; the historic Café Madrid, where the celebrated Agua de Valencia cocktail was reputedly created in the 1950s, reopening at a new home; and the new arts hub of Bombas Gens welcoming a second phase in the coming months.
A calendar of high-profile events will be a main draw to the city in 2018 too: in addition to the annual, world famous festival of Las Fallas, endorsed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, visitors will be able to enjoy a series of events that will appeal to a wide range of tastes and interests, from a new exhibition on Joan Miró that brings together more than 100 works of the artist or the gastro-fest Valencia Culinary Meeting to sport fixtures such as the IAAF World Half Marathon Championship and the ETU Triathlon European Cup.
