Ruzafa (or Russafa in Valencian) is considered by many Valencia’s coolest and hippest area. Now agglomerated by the upscale Ensanche district, Ruzafa used to be the neighbourhood of immigrants and Bohemian artists. Today, in its streets you’ll find the newer waves of expats and trendy businesses coexisting with the old inhabitants.

Back when Valencia was still called Balansiya, the neighbourhood was conceived as an ornamental garden. Its construction was ordered by the Muslim ruler Abd Allah Al-Balansi. Over the centuries, it became a public park, orchard, and farmland. Finally, in modern times, it became home to the city’s most vulnerable populations.

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Recently, the area has seen several urban investments and make-overs. The façades have been repainted, the shops sold and redecorated, the sidewalks expanded, and some streets were made pedestrian altogether.

All this beautification came, of course, with privatisations and consequently the expulsion of those vulnerable populations that had a home here and that made the neighbourhood so different to begin with.

Today, Ruzafa’s two identities contend with one another: the multicultural, eclectic barrio, home to Valencia’s minorities, and the trendy, temptingly remodelled hip area. Here, you’ll find alternative painter workshops, designer studios, and poetry readings.

Across the street, you’ll see foreign students living above gastro-bars and laid-back terrace bars. This is the place to go for library cafés and pop-up theatres, international food offers and second-hand stores.