Under $100: El Carmen, Valencia, Spain

The third-largest city in Spain shares a few characteristics with its larger neighbors (Madrid and Barcelona), one of which is cool, unique neighborhoods where it seems as though everything is happening at any hour of the day. In Valencia, one such area is El Carmen, part of the former Old Town, rife with shops, restaurants and Valencia’s Central Market. When in El Carmen, here are the hot spots to check out.

Grab a café con leche para llevar (to go) and hit the streets early before everyone wakes up. The silence on the streets is palpable and rare in El Carmen, especially after sunset. The neighborhood has become famous for its unique street art and can serve as a sort-of outdoor art museum.

As you meander through the streets, make a point to stop and gape at the Serranos Towers, two of the last-remaining original entryways into the Old City. Next, visit the Museum of the 19th Century, located in a former convent, where free admission lets you admire the mixture of architectural styles as well as art from the 1800s.

Right next to these two attractions is L’Aplec, a traditional Valencian restaurant where you can stop in for a paella lunch.

The hot afternoon should be reserved for indoor activities, like visiting the Silk Exchange (check the website for free admission times), a former trading center with impressive architecture, and the Church of St. Nicholas de Bari, often considered the “Sistine Chapel of Spain.”

Late at night, grab an outdoor table in Plaça del Negret to people watch, fountain-watch and start a memorable night in Valencia.