A 16-page independent football travel guide based on my trip to Spain for Villarreal v Valencia. Discover the Estadio de la Cerámica, Valencia, historic Mestalla and Inmersión Villarreal, with practical advice on tickets, trains, where to stay and plannin

The Groundhopper’s Guide to Villarreal

Valencia. Mestalla. The Yellow Submarine.

Can you combine two very different Spanish football cities, two famous stadiums and a proper local rivalry in one trip?

This independent Groundhopper Guide follows my February 2026 trip to Spain for Villarreal v Valencia at the Estadio de la Cerámica.

I started in Valencia, explored the city and experienced the historic Mestalla, before travelling by train to Vila-real. There I visited Inmersión Villarreal, explored the town and returned to the Estadio de la Cerámica for the derby under the lights.

Villarreal won 2–1, but the trip became about much more than the result. It showed me how well Valencia and Vila-real can work together as a football break — and why staying in Vila-real itself can make sense when you have an evening match.

Inside the guide:

• My Villarreal v Valencia matchday experience

• Estadio de la Cerámica and its history

• Advice on buying Villarreal tickets

• Inmersión Villarreal stadium and museum experience

• Travelling from Valencia to Vila-real by train

• Why Valencia works so well as the starting point

• What to see and do in Valencia

• My experience of the Fallas celebrations

• Visiting and touring the historic Mestalla

• The story of the old and new Mestalla

• What Vila-real itself is actually like

• Where I’d stay for an evening match

• Spanish away-support and ticket considerations

• Groundhopper tips from my own trip

• What I’d do differently next time

• Practical QR codes linking to official information

This isn't a generic guide assembled from the internet. It's based around a trip I actually made, using my own photographs, experiences and lessons from the journey to show what a Villarreal football trip is really like.

WHAT YOU RECEIVE

One 16-page digital PDF guide, available to download immediately after purchase.

No physical product will be posted.

THE GROUNDHOPPER GUIDES / NO. 08

Written by Richard Angell.

Independent guide. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Villarreal CF, Valencia CF, LaLiga, Estadio de la Cerámica, Mestalla or any travel, accommodation or ticket provider.