After braving successive confinements, curfews, border closures, health passes, countless PCR tests, galloping inflation, repeated strikes and crushing heatwaves, your dream of expatriating to Valencia remains intact. Hats off to you!
Your determination is ironclad, and Valencia is holding out its arms to you in 2024. But where exactly can you put down your bags in this Mediterranean city? We’ll tell you all about it below!
Young, urban, looking for dynamism: which district to choose in Valencia in 2024?
Are you arriving in Valencia for your studies, planning to invest in student accommodation, or have you landed a job that requires a resolutely urban lifestyle? If so, you’re looking for an area with a wealth of amenities, where bars, restaurants and universities abound, and where the noise and bustle of the city are attractions rather than inconveniences.
Ciutat Vella
The historic and tourist heart of Valencia is the city’s nerve centre. Three districts stand out for their dynamism: El Carme, El Mercat and San Francesc. Here, life never stands still, with its many bars, restaurants, shops and lively squares such as Reina, Virgen and Ayuntamiento. The alleyways are bustling with activity, but parking your car for free is a real headache.
Eixample
The Ruzafa district, in the Eixample, is emerging as the meeting point for Valencia’s bobos and hipsters. While the Fallas transform the district into a particularly intense hive of activity, it remains bustling all year round. With a profusion of bars, restaurants, trendy boutiques and bike hire services, this district lacks for nothing. And it’s just a five-minute walk from the historic centre and the metro line serving the universities.
Benimaclet
A veritable nest of students and expats in Valencia, Benimaclet is ideally located to the north and west of the main universities, including Blasco Ibañez, UEV and Polytechnic. This former village, integrated into the urban fabric, has evolved into a vibrant, multicultural district that is very popular with students. The presence of a tramway line linking it directly to the beaches is a major asset.
Camins al Grau
The neighbourhoods of l’Amistat and Ciutat Jardí stand out here. Close to the Mestalla Stadium and Avenida Blasco Ibañez, Amistat is particularly lively on Valencia FC match days. As for Ciutat Jardí, centred around Plaza del Cedro, it offers a range of pubs, bars and fast food options, with the advantage of a quick connection to the city centre via metro line 5.
You’ve outgrown the student party era
In the past, Fallas music, crowded terraces and parking difficulties were among the almost charming little inconveniences of city life. Today, you’re looking forward to a more peaceful, family-oriented lifestyle, while still being close to the city centre, with its shops, markets and easy transport links.
Enjoying a few tapas? Absolutely! But rest and quiet at night are now your priorities.
Campanar
The same district, but two distinct atmospheres. To the north, the Nou Campanar district offers luxury apartment blocks with facilities such as a community swimming pool, gymnasium, village hall and car park. From here, you can enjoy breathtaking views of Valencia and the surrounding area, especially if you live on the higher floors. The Lycée Français de Valencia is within easy reach by car, and the historic centre is just six minutes away by metro.
To the south, the old Campanar offers a more shopping atmosphere with more bars and restaurants. Close to the Bioparc and Parc de la Cabecera, it’s a prime location for families looking for green spaces for their children. For your shopping needs, the Carrefour centre on one side and the Nuevo Centro – Corte Inglés on the other make daily life much easier.
Saïdia
In this area, you should concentrate on three neighbourhoods on the banks of the Turia: Marxallenes, Trinitat and Morverdre, the latter being close to the Pont de Fusta tramway. We particularly recommend Trinitat. Close to the Viveros Gardens, the Turia and the historic centre, this district also benefits from the proximity of the tramway. What’s more, new homes are being built in the area, which could represent an interesting opportunity for buyers looking for modernity and comfort.