Extramurs

Authentic local area with affordable food and accommodation. Safe and residential but you're outside the main tourist zone - 15-20 minutes to the center. Good for budget travelers.

Just outside the old city walls where it gets more local and affordable. The name literally means 'outside the walls.' You'll see families shopping at neighborhood markets, students getting coffee, locals doing the mid-morning esmorzaret thing. Has several sub-areas - creative cafes and bookstores in one part, Valencia's Chinatown with Asian restaurants in another, working-class Arrancapins. No tourist crowds, which means cheaper food and accommodation but also less English. Feels safe and residential with parks and relaxed vibe. Families and students. People eat alone at local places all the time, and you can find cheap menú del día lunch specials. The tradeoff is you're 15-20 minutes from the main tourist stuff by metro or walking, and nightlife is just local bars, not the scene in Ruzafa or El Carmen.