Valencia is probably the most underrated city of Spain. Even though it is the third largest city of Spain and it has a lot to offer, it’s still one of the most authentic. It’s not packed (yet) with tourists like Barcelona, Madrid or Sevilla. Which makes it all the more pleasant to visit. Valencia isn’t known for world famous monuments, but it does have some impressive architecture to admire. Good food can be found behind every corner and the shopping options are limitless! The old city center, also known as “Ciutat Vella”, consists of many different neighbourhoods with their own unique style and atmosphere. So here’s the ultimate Valencia neighbourhood guide with what I think you should do when visiting Valencia explained per area!

Valencia neighbourhood guide to each area and barrio

Ciutat Vella

El Carmen 

This is the oldest part of town between the old city walls. Be prepared to get lost in the winding narrow streets. The medieval walls have disappeared but there are two city gates that have remained; the Torres de Quart in the West and the Torres de Serranos in the North. Originally there were 12 gates. While walking along the narrow, tiny streets in the old quarter, you can find one of the old wall’s remaining bits in Portal de Valldigna street; Portal de Valldigna. It is an archway built in 1440 leading into what used to be the old Arab quarter.

La Seu

The most famous square here is the Plaza de la Virgen. The big plaza earns its photogenic status thanks to the marvellous architecture you can find here! The Basilica Virgen de los Desamparados is part of the identity of the city, also for non believers. Visitors (local and non local) are drawn by the statue of Our Lady of the Forsaken. If you want to avoid the crowds, you can take a look at her from the huge impressive side portal, which you can find in the passage way between the Plaza de la Virgen and the Plaza Almoinha.

Next to the basilica you can find the Catedral. It has three different entrances; at the Plaza de la Virgen the gothic Puerta de los Apostoles gives access to the cathedral. The main entrance Puerta de los Hierros in baroque style can be found at the Plaza de la Reina and the oldest one, in Romanesque style, is located at the Plaza Almoinha. You can climb its tower called the Miguelete to have a great view of the city.

At the north side of the Plaza de la Virgen you’ll find a gorgeous fountain called the Turia fountain. The middle leaning figure is symbol for the river Turia, which is surrounded by 8 girls pouring water from their jars into the basin, symbolizing the eight irrigation channels of Valencia.

The Plaza Almoinha is another beautiful smaller square. Below the square old Roman and Arab ruins were found, which you can take a look at through the glass floor near the Museo de la Ciudad. A little further you’ll find the Baños del Almirante. This is al old Moorish bath house that you can visit for free!

The Plaza de la Reina is a busier square surrounded by shops and ice cream bars where you’ll also find the Santa Catalina church with its beautiful tower.

One of the most vivid streets is the Calle Caballeros. This street is packed with great tapas rastaurants, bars and little boutiques. At night this is definitely the place to go out!

El Mercat

If you’re hungry you should visit the Mercado Central. This is a wonderful piece of jugenstil architecture. Don’t forget to take a look at its fantastic dome! Near the Mercado Central also the Lonja de la Seda can be found which used to be the silk market.

La Xerea

Inside the Palace of Marques de Dos Aguas you can find the Museo de Ceramico. I was especially drawn to its entrance and the building itself! This luxurious palace combines rococco, neo-classical and oriental elements. At the Plaza del Colegio del Patriarca a beautiful fountain and orange trees can be spotted!
At the Calle Poeta Querol you can shop in the more expensive stores.

Sant Francesc

This is the ultimate shopping area with streets like Calle Don Juan de Austria, Calle Colon and Passeig de Rusafa. The Plaza del Ayuntamiento is a very prestigious square with a huge sparkling fountain surrounded by magnificent buildings of different Spanish architectural styles. Dominating the square are the stunning neoclassical Town Hall and the Central Post Office, in a beautiful eclectic style. Other impressive buildings here are the Estacion del Norte (train station) and the Bullring.

Outside Ciutat Vella

L’Eixample

L’Eixample consists of Ensanche and Ruzafa and is recognizable by its rectangular street grid (like a chessboard). At Ensanche you’ll find some of the most gorgeous and most expensive houses of Valencia, often in jugendstil style. Make sure to visit the Mercado de Colon. It used to be a market, but now the modernist building has transformed into a food & shopping area.
Until recently Ruzafa used to be a neglected neighbourhood inhabited by  immigrants from Morocco and China. Now it has developed from a multicultural quarter to a new trendy hot spot with restaurants, bars and little boutiques.

Cuatre Carreres

This area is famous for the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, a scientific and cultural site with amazing architecture. The amazing buildings are all surrounded by giant pools of blue water which gives it a surreal look. I almost felt as if I was on a different planet. This location was used as a filming location for the movie “Tomorrowland” with George Clooney.

Jardines del Turia

This huge park surrounding the city center of Valencia used to be the river Turia. Due to many floods the Spanish built a channel to drain the water to the sea further away from the city and the river dried up. In stead of building huge apartment blocks they decided to plant trees and other greens to form it into a park.

The harbor and the beach

If you rent a bike you can cycle to the seaside. Valencia has a huge beach called Malvarrosa. At the promenade you can find many bars and restaurants.

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