Districts Valencia Spain ~ neighborhoods (barrios) of Valencia
Districts Valencia Spain
To get to know the districts of Valencia, it’s a good idea to get a map of Valencia before you arrive.
A street map is called callejero in Spanish and can be obtained from one of the many tourist offices in town, at the airport or at one of the El Corte Inglés department stores in Valencia (see shopping in Valencia).
Valencia has many districts, and each district has a variety of neighborhoods (barrios), and the following are some of the most visited barrios in Valencia.
Districts Valencia Spain
Ensanche (L’Eixample)
The Eixample district of Valencia includes the barrios of El Pla del Remei, Gran Via and Ruzafa.
El Pla del Remei
El Pla del Remei is a very upmarket area where many of the best designers shops, El Corte Inglés and Mercado Colón are located.
Streets in this neighborhood include Calle Colón, Cirilo Amoros, Conde Salvatierra, Martinez Ferrando and Jorge Juan.
The Glorieta Park is next to the impressive Puerta de la Mar which is just a few yards from the Turia Gardens. From here you can easily walk to the Old Town (Ciutat Vella district) where many of the top attractions are located.
Ruzafa
The up-and-coming neighborhood Ruzafa is just behind Estación del Norte (Estació del Nord).
This popular area has a buzzing atmosphere, a wide range of ethnic shops and abundance of affordable bars, restaurants and clubs. Don’t miss the Ruzafa market at Plaça del Barón de Cortes.
Districts Valencia Spain
Ciutat Vella (OldTown)
Ciutat Vella is in the center of Valencia and the most popular to visit. It includes the following barrios – La Seu, La Xerea, El Carmen, El Pilar, El Mercado and San Francisco.
Barrio La Seu (Cathedral Area)
La Seu is the area where the Catedral de Valencia ( Cathedral of Valencia) is located (front entrance in Plaza de la Reina).
Close by is El Miguelete and a few yards away in Plaza de la Virgin is Apostles Door. The Cathedral has the oldest museum in the city (Sala Capitular) containing the Holy Chalice of Valencia.
In Plaza de la Virgen you will also find the beautiful Basilica de la Virgin de los Desamparados who is one of the Patron Saints of Valencia.
El Carmen (Barrio del Carmen)
Barrio del Carmen (el Carmen) is situated in the north east of the Ciutat Vella (old town district).
Peaceful during the day and pulsating with life at night this is one of the most popular areas in Valencia.
Things to do in the Old Town >>
Valencia Districts Spain
La Saïdia
The district of La Saïdia includes the barrios of Marxalenes, Morvedre, Trinitat, Tormos and Sant Antoni.
Although on the other side of the Turia Gardens, it can be reached via the following bridges from Barrio del Carmen – Pont de Serranos and Pont de Fusta (see Valencia Bridges).
The tram stop at Pont de Fusta will take you to the beach.
Valencia Districts Spain
Pla del Real
The Valencia district of Pla del Real includes the barrios of Exposició, Mestalla, Jaume Roig, Ciutat Universitària. The Viveros Gardens (Jardines de Real ) separate these barrios from La Saïdia.
Barrio de la Exposició
The Exposicion (Calatrava) Bridge (Pont de l’Exposicio) links this popular district to the shopping area of Colón.
On your way you will pass the Glorieta square and a large arch. This leads onto Calle de la
Pau, Plaza de la Reina and el Carme.
Exposicio is a lovely area with many local shops and restaurants where you can relax in pavement cafes. Not far away is the barrio of Mestalla where the Valencia football stadium is located.
Next to El Pla del Real and Exposicio are the barrios of Mestalla, Blasco Ibáñez and Aragon.
Avenida (Avenguda) Blasco Ibáñez is a very long avenue leading down to the maritime district and barrio de Cabanyal.
The main University area (Ciutat Universitària) is at the top of this road, and as the name suggests, is full of universities. There are also many apartment blocks , restaurants, bars and nightclubs.
Districts Valencia Spain
Poblats Maritims (Maritime Villages)
The Poblats Maritims Barrios include La Malva-rosa / Beteró / El Cabanyal-Canyamelar / El Grau / Natzaret
Barrio Cabanyal
At the end of Avenida Blasco Ibáñez is the old maritime fishing neighborhood of Cabanyal. Not far away is the city beach of Las Arenas.
The plans to extend Avenida Blasco Ibáñez down to the seafront have met with much opposition as the homes would be bulldozed away.
For many years the Old Quarter of Valencia was surrounded by a wall. The fishing and port area of Valencia were considered dangerous and poor and not part of the city. Although it’s only a ten minute tram ride away from the city, you get the feeling they are still separate.
Districts Valencia Spain
The Port Area & America’s Cup
The maritime and port districts of Valencia have undergone enormous change due to the Americas Cup which was held here in Valencia in 2007.
Avenida del Puerto has been widened and is now a huge one way street.
This leads down to the Port and Americas Cup Village.
Where to Stay in Valencia?
Check out … Valencia Accommodation
