Barrio del Carmen

The Barrio del Carmen is one of the neighbourhoods that make up the historic old city of Valencia. It is an ancient precinct that grew between two walls: the Muslim and Christian new wall that protected them from the west.

Today it is a area that houses every category imaginable: from the typical hardware store where we can buy a typical Valencian paella frying pan to designer clothes shops. I recommend devoting a Saturday afternoon to this district to take a stroll around the streets with open trade.

For those of us who like getting lost in abandoned alleys with special spots, the Barrio del Carmen is one of the places that must be visited, with peculiar graffiti, shops anchored in history and the most unusual things. In addition, there are plenty of typical bars where you can sample any Valencian specialty, not just paella, and enjoy some quiet time away from the hustle of tourist areas such as the Plaza de la cathedral.

Built around the Plaza del Carmen, Barrio del Carmen takes you into the ancient history of Valencia. This neighbourhood grew between the walls built by the Moors in the eleventh century on the east side, and the Christian wall from the fourteenth century, that along with the Serrano tower, was the main point of entry and exit in Valencia.

In the fourteenth century it became necessary to build the new wall to better defend the city, but they kept the Muslim wall as a secondary defence. The region has seen centuries of history, being a Muslim district, a sailor town, and a workers zone during the industrial revolution.