Catalan cuisine is excellent, and you can’t go to Barcelona without enjoying the tapas. We'll definitely be back! Maybe your mind leaps instead to the beaches of Mallorca or Ibiza. 55min: Barcelona make their first change - with Arturo Vidal replacing Arthur in the centre of midfield. Published: 13:00 BST, 25 January 2020 | Updated: 17:00 BST, 25 January 2020. Probably the best-known Spanish dish of all, paella, hails from Valencia.

The afternoon could have become even worse for the LaLiga title hopefuls, but Marc-Andre ter Stegen helped keep his team-mates in the clash - stopping an early penalty from Gomez and then pulling off a superb double save. 36min: Barcelona are awarded a free-kick in a similar position to their last one, after Messi was twice impeded outside the box.

Barcelona travel to Valencia on Saturday afternoon in the second La Liga game of Quique Setien's reign. That really comes into play when considering the cost of travel. A string of sharp combinations results in an effort from Lionel Messi from 20 yards, but it is comfortably blocked by Ezequiel Garay.

When you think of Spain, you likely envision Barcelona. 28min: Messi bends a free kick over the wall from 25 yards, but the effort sails harmlessly off target. Maxi Gomez's strike deflected off Jordi Alba to hand the hosts an opener, and the Valencia star struck again in the second half after waves of Barcelona attacks were repelled. New boss Quique Setien has recorded two wins from two in charge of the La Liga title chasers, although his side only just edged past minnows Ibiza in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday. We stayed here as part of our book tour for Married with Luggage: What We Learned About Love by Traveling the World, and it definitely fit the theme. And if dancing isn't your thing, check out one of the many cafes for some outdoor socializing over wine or the local specialty, "Agua de Valencia.". Lionel Messi and Co have the opportunity to go three points clear at the top of the table and put the pressure on Real Madrid with their arch-rivals not playing until Sunday.

That strike came as a result of superb work from Torres on the right flank, who spun away from Umtiti and spotted Gomez free in acres of space.

Barcelona’s Ciutat Vella is alive with character and charm. Kick-off is at 3.00pm. It's all over at Mestalla, and Quique Setien's Barcelona have been brought back down to earth with a resounding thump. Sports fans shouldn’t miss out on the Camp Nou, home of FC Barcelona! The food markets such as Mercat Boqueria and Sant Antoni Market are colourful and fresh! Valencia average daily travel price is a whopping €39 cheaper than Barcelona. A vibrant city centre full of historic attractions and a vibrant nightlife scene can’t be missed. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. An inviting delivery from Ferran Torres is headed clear by Pique, but the ball hurtles into Umtiti and deflects towards goal.

Visiting Gaudi’s architecture alone includes Casa Batlló, La Pedrera, Park Guëll, and the still incomplete Sagrada Familia. Rakitic then sees another strike blocked from distance. Staying at the Beach: Even though it was a short metro ride away, we felt like we were in another world at the wide sandy beach. 58min: An attempted pass to Messi is shut out, and seconds later the Barcelona talisman has a shot blocked around the penalty spot. Barcelona has everything you could wish for from its nightlife. It has everything you'd want in a vacation location: the beach, music, history, culture and food. 3. Part of HuffPost Travel.

46min: Ansu Fati goes close to opening the scoring seconds after the restart!

If you have a car or join a tour, you can travel to the outlying areas of Valencia to visit wineries that produce terrific Spanish wines and sparkling cavas. Both sides enter the interval goalless, but it is Valencia who have come closest to breaking the deadlock.

Valencia is no secret, but it’s still a lot less travelled than Barcelona. Ter Stegen then claims another delivery after the home side were awarded a free-kick on the right, and Sergio Busquets goes into the book. Maybe your mind leaps instead to the beaches of Mallorca or Ibiza. The ball then is nodded into the path of Gameiro, but his header is weak and also kept out by ter Stegen! Find out more at BetsyTalbot.com. Lionel Messi and Co have the opportunity to go three points clear at the top of the table … For those considering a longer stay in the country you might want to check our post on thehow to travel from Madrid to Barcelona, and theaverage and minimum salary in Barcelona. Oh yes. First time travellers have a little more research to do, and that’s where we can help you. If you have time, we recommend visiting both though! As well as the plethora of attractions in the city centre, it also boasts golden sand beaches, and scenic views from Montserrat Mountain and the Bunkers de Carmel. And at the Mestalla, Valencia are winless in their last 12 clashes against Barcelona in the top flight. To wash off the sand, we could soak in a tub big enough for two and then wander down the boardwalk in search of "tinto de verano" (a simple sangria made from red wine and carbonated lemonade) and watch the artists create giant sand castles. 86min: Messi shoots from distance, but his effort skids across the turf and is held comfortably by Domenech. Both cities are on Spain’s east coast and offer sea, sunshine, and sand all year round! 30min: Francis Coquelin is the next to trouble ter Stegen, but the Barcelona stopper keeps out the strike from distance. Valencia has one of the largest historic centres in Europe with over 1,000 years of history.

Since Barcelona is further north, the average temperature is colder than Valencia by 3 degrees Celsius. 59min: Messi comes inches away from a leveller!

Thanks to more international flights from the city’s airport, Barcelona takes the crown here. 4. Gomez unleashes a fierce drive from the left of the penalty area, which the keeper palms on to the woodwork. We stayed at the Hotel Petit Miramar with a view overlooking the sea. If you have a car or join a tour, you can travel to the outlying areas of Valencia to visit wineries that produce terrific Spanish wines and sparkling cavas.

Midfield duo Arthur and Frenkie de Jong have been recalled, with Ivan Rakitic and Arturo Vidal dropping to the bench instead. And romance? 85min: Barcelona make a double change, with Ivan Rakitic and Alex Collado replacing de Jong and Fati. Griezmann lofted in a cross and Messi, arriving late to ghost between two defenders, can only guide his headed effort off target. 72min: Griezmann is felled on the edge of the box, with Barcelona awarded a free-kick 20 yards from goal... 70min: Another good chance for Messi is wasted! And since it is in Spain, you'll still find plenty of good, reasonably priced wines. Valencia threatened to counter through Torres on the right flank but, to the home side's anger, play was pulled back into midfield... 40min: Despite dominating the majority of possession, Barcelona are really struggling to create good openings. Already in Barcelona or Valencia?

The ultramodern Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias is attached to L’Oceanogràfic, which houses dolphins and other marine life. Tapas bars with legs of jamón hanging from the ceiling and cañas flowing line narrow streets and cobbled squares. Valencia average daily travel price is a whopping €39 cheaper … Valencia, meanwhile, can move into top-four contention with victory, so there is plenty of incentive for both sides for this one. At the other end, Jordi Alba lofts the ball forward for Antoine Griezmann in the left channel, but his touch allows Jaume Domenech to collect.

The city is famed for art and architecture, especially the work of its most famous son, Antonio Gaudi. We're into four minutes additional time. That really comes into play when considering the cost of travel. So, how do you decide which is better – Barcelona or Valencia? After Messi won the ball back in a dangerous area, Griezmann tees him up neatly just inside the box, but a drive across goal flashes the wrong side of the far upright! There can only be one winner. 45+1min: Barcelona hoist a delivery into the box, but Gabriel is on hand to head clear. Valencia edges it 4-3. Here's another option that combines the best of those two options: Valencia. Having been to Barcelona many times I'm personally tired of queuing everywhere, and the prices in Barcelona are … Rentals can be found all over town through Valencia Bikes. Real Madrid, who travel to Real Valladolid tomorrow, can move back to the top of the table with a result. When you think of Spain, you likely envision Barcelona. 21min: Barcelona continue to piece together little passages of play inside the Valencia half, but have been unable to muster a clear cut chance so far.

Playing very high up the pitch as was the case last week in Quique Setien's first game in charge. 66min: Messi attempts a deft chip over the Valencia back line for Alba, but the pass is nodded clear and Barcelona are forced to rebuild from the back once again.