Due to its size and geographic position in Europe, the weather in Spain across its provinces can be rather diverse. The more temperate regions of the north can contrast markedly with the hot sun kissed beaches dipping into the Mediterranean.
Yet it is in the winter months, when the majority of the sun seeking tourists have left the area, that the beautiful regions of southern Spain really provide a comfortable climate.
And also provide a superb location for those wishing to escape the harsh winters of northern Europe.
For winters in Valencia are very mild.
Away from the frost nipping temperatures of the UK, the months of December, January and February in Valencia offer average daytime temperatures of around 16°C with night time temperatures rarely falling below 7ºC.
As a result it is quite comfortable to sit outside during the day without needing to wear thermals and overcoats.
No wonder the area is popular with British ex-pats.
Valencia is bordered by the provinces of Alicante, Albecete, Cuenca, Turuel and Castellón and the city is Spain’s third largest with a population of around 780,000.
Visitors to Valencia will discover a multicultural, welcoming city, which offers a great alternative to the other Spanish cities such as Barcellona or Madrid.
However, many over-wintering visitors and ex-pats choose to live outside the city in villages such as L’Eliana, Puçol and Betera.
With a low cost of living and very affordable property available to rent, between 400-600 Euros for a modestly sized apartment, many people soon discover that the area provides everything they could wish for.
What is more, the mild winter climate provides the perfect environment for lush vegetation to flourish.
With what might be regarded as two springs seasons, autumn acting as a second one, it is usual to obtain two crops a year from the fertile and productive soils.
Out on the València plains, olive, mulberry, ilex, algaroba, orange, and palm trees grow in abundance. And the pretty villas that pepper the landscape have paths edged with flowering shrubs, including Brugmansia and Plumbago, whilst terracotta pots protrude from whitewashed walls to hold a variety of colourful plants to enhance them.
Cacti and other succulents, uprooted from their usual arid environments, flourish and grow spectacularly as low maintenance choices for reluctant gardeners. The city too is famed for its municipal gardens. The Jardí del Túria, the Monforte Gardens and the university’s botanical gardens are all worth a visit.
If you plan on staying in the locality for a few winter months, why not try growing your own vegetables. The regular varieties often grown with some difficulty due to weather conditions in the UK will undoubtedly yield exceptional crops in the warm soil.
As many visitors and ex-pats will confirm, a winter spent enjoying the delightful region around Valencia will make a refreshing alternative to a frost bitten UK or a summer tourist season on the Spanish Med.
