El Cabanyal
Valencia, Spain
The old fishermen's quarter by the beach, of colourful tiled houses, the best traditional paella spots and a reviving arty scene. The soul of seaside Vale…
Places in El Cabanyal
- Casa Carmela The paella Valencians cite to settle arguments, cooked over an open wood fire by the beach since 1922, the rice sticky and charred to perfection. The definitive paella experience.
Practical notes for Valencia
- Best time to visit
- March to June and September to October for warm, comfortable weather. March brings the fiery Las Fallas festival of giant sculptures and fireworks. Summer is hot but the beach beckons; winters are mild.
- Getting around
- The compact old town is walkable; the Metro, trams and an excellent cycle network (with the Turia park as a green artery) cover the rest. Bikes are the local way to move. The beach and City of Arts are a short tram or cycle away.
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Language
- Spanish, Valencian. English is common in tourism.
- Timezone
- CET (UTC+1, UTC+2 in summer)
- Current trends
- A rising modern-Valencian and rice-focused fine-dining scene; the hip Ruzafa (Russafa) district leading the city's food-and-nightlife renaissance; a serious specialty-coffee and craft-vermouth culture; and the city's turn to more sustainable, liveable tourism.
Other neighborhoods in Valencia
- El Carmen (Old Town) — The medieval heart of winding lanes, plazas, the cathedral and the Central Market, full of tapas bars and street art. The city's atmospheric core.
- Ruzafa (Russafa) — The hip, bohemian district of the moment, packed with the city's most interesting restaurants, bars, cafés and boutiques. Where Valencia eats and drinks now.
- Ciutat Vella & Eixample — The elegant central and 19th-century districts of grand architecture, the Colón market and smart shopping. The city's refined side.
- City of Arts & the Turia — The futuristic Calatrava complex at the end of the Turia park, the green ribbon of gardens tracing the old riverbed through the city. Modern Valencia and its green heart.
Read the full Valencia guide