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¨We want to be in Spanish life, but within walking distance of downtown.¨A common wish among our clients looking for something in Valencia city. But what do we recommend? There are then several districts we can recommend, but one district we mention in any case is Arrancapins (in Spanish: Arrancapinos). Located west of the city center, this neighborhood is bordered by La Petxina, La Roqueta, Ruzafa, La Raiosa and Patraix. Together with La Petxina and La Roqueta, it belongs to the Extramurs district.
Arancapins, or Abastos?
Speaking with a true Valenciano about this neighborhood, you will find that they also use the name Abastos. Abastos refers to Mercado de Abastos, a striking historic building that used to be an important market and is now a sports center that includes a swimming pool. This Mercado is located in the northern part of Arrancapins, and those who live in that part tend to speak of Abastos.
Arrancapins, a residential neighborhood full of life
The typical Valencian life is what you will encounter in Arrancapins. It is a residential neighborhood that has remained fairly undiscovered by tourists, so you will immediately experience tranquility here. Does that mean there is nothing to do then? Far from it! Arrancapins is an ideal place for Spaniards to meet. Therefore, you will find many terraces and bars here, where the evenings and weekends are pleasantly crowded.
From Arrancapins you are also within easy reach of the hustle and bustle of the city. Depending on where you are, with a 5 to 10 minute walk you are at the busy crossroads Plaza de España and there the center of Valencia begins already. Plaza de España, along with Ángel Guimerá, is also an important metro station in Arrancapins. From here you can get to the city even faster, but also quickly to the airport or out of the city towards one of the surrounding villages. Because Arrancapins is located between the avenues Pérez Galdós and Fernando el Católico, you can also get out of the city quickly from here by car.
History of Arrancapins
Today, the neighborhood is best known for two notable buildings: La Finca Roja and the aforementioned Mercado de Abastos.
La Finca Roja is a residential building designed as a group of houses for the workers of the time. Built between 1929 and 1933, it was designed by architect Enrique Viedma. He combined elements of Dutch expressionism, art deco and Valencian style (casticismo) in his design.
The Mercado de Abastos was designed by architect Javier Goerlich Lleó and opened its doors in 1948. It was originally intended as a wholesale market for agricultural products, where traders from Valencia and surrounding areas could stock up. It served as a market until 1983. In 1991, renovation work began to transform the old market into a modern and extensive educational, cultural and sports center.
Tips for restaurants in Arrancapins
Arrancapins is bursting with places to enjoy yourself from morning to night on one of its many terraces. We mention a few favorites here, but also definitely recommend you to go exploring in this delightful neighborhood.
Coffee, breakfast, lunch
- Flying Bean – cozy coffee shop built in an old printing factory, giving it an industrial style. For breakfast and brunch, but most of all very good coffee.
- Elixir café – small coffee shop with a nice terrace. Elixir is the name of their own coffee brand, with 100% Arabica beans which are artisanally roasted in Valencia.
- Rogel – a lovely café for brunch. They have lots of choice of sandwiches and cakes and plenty of seating, both inside and outside.
- Dulche de Leche – an established favorite for Valencia lovers, but we’ll mention it anyway. This particular location was recently completely renovated.
Drinks, dinner, going out
- Rausell – A favorite among the locals and that in general already means good things. The cuisine is authentically Spanish with a focus on the best ingredients. Think fresh red shrimp fried on the griddle and one of the best patatas bravas in town. Rausell was also one of the pioneers in takeaway and they still do, which is why you sometimes see a long line outside here.
- Mercado de la Imprenta – This foodhall just opened in 2023, but is already a huge success. It has 21 stalls with different products as well as a diverse cultural calendar. It is also located in a beautiful historic building.
- Ardacho – good restaurant with both traditional flavors and more daring dishes. The cuisine is Mediterranean and the setting is just a bit fancier than what you are used to from a Spanish restaurant.
- Hawaika – Hawaiian Tiki-style cocktail bar. Serves tropical cocktails in an equally tropical setting.
- Loco Club – small-scale concert venue with fun bands, mostly rock. This one is actually just in the neighboring La Petxina neighborhood, but is highly recommended for music lovers who like going out in Valencia.
Furthermore, in Arrancapins you have the lively square Plaza del Pintor Segrelles, where it is always nice to spend time on one of the various terraces.
Invest in Arrancapins
That Arrancapins is also a popular neighborhood among buyers is evident from the numbers. Monthly and quarterly house prices rose slightly, but if we look at the growth over a year, we see a whopping 18.6% increase. Part of this will have to do with apartments being bought to renovate and then put them back up for sale. This causes a substantial increase in the value of homes in this area.
In terms of homes, you can basically only find condos and penthouses in Arrancapins. The average price per square meter is currently €2,567. Because apartments here tend to be spacious, house prices tend to come in at around 300k to 400k. For this price, however, you do have a fully renovated apartment that doesn’t require any work.
We expect housing price growth to proceed steadily. In addition, the Parque Central will be pulled through, with the train track going underground and connecting Arrancapins to Ruzafa. Another injection of value into this neighborhood.
If you prefer to buy an apartment in Arrancapins to rent out for medium to long term, you will see your ROI quickly. It’s a popular residential neighborhood among Spaniards and expats alike, so with the right aesthetics and price, you’ll be able to rent it out effortlessly.
But looking for something where you can stay in Valencia on a regular basis yourself? If so, Arrancapins is also the place to be. It is its central location, combined with the cozy Spanish atmosphere, that make it an ideal neighborhood for those who stay in Valencia occasionally.
Is Arrancapins the neighborhood where you want to buy a house? Let us know in a Property Finder Service. We can show you almost all the houses, even if you don’t see them on our website. We will be happy to help you.
