Valencia: Street Food Tour Including Paella & Tapas Tasting

Unlock the vibrant flavors of Valencia’s renowned street food scene on this immersive 2-hour tour. Led by a knowledgeable guide, you’ll explore the bustling Mercado Central and savor a delightful tasting of traditional dishes like paella and tapas. The journey begins at the historic Esglèsia de Sant Joan del Mercat, setting the stage for a culinary adventure that showcases the rich gastronomic heritage of this captivating city. With a UNESCO World Heritage site and local delicacies to discover, this tour promises to tantalize your tastebuds and leave you craving…

Key Points

• This 2-hour culinary immersion tour in Valencia includes a live English-speaking guide, a visit to the historic Mercado Central, and tastings of Valencian specialties like paella and tapas.
• The tour starts at the wheelchair-accessible Esglèsia de Sant Joan del Mercat and features a 45-minute guided tour of Valencia’s old town, showcasing landmarks like the Water Tribunal and Silk Exchange.
• During the Mercado Central visit, travelers can explore the vibrant stalls, learn about the market’s rich history, and sample famous Valencian pastries.
• The tasting experience at the end of the tour allows participants to sample traditional dishes like tostada, tapas, and authentic Valencian paella.
• Based on 2 reviews, the tour has an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with positive feedback on the tour pace, food quality, and the knowledgeable local guide.

Tour Overview

This Valencia Street Food Tour offers a 2-hour immersion into the city’s vibrant culinary scene. Priced from £57.58 per person, this tour is likely to sell out and features a live English-speaking guide.

Wheelchair-accessible, the tour starts at Església de Sant Joan del Mercat, where the guide awaits participants. Over the next two hours, guests will explore the Mercado Central, savoring local pastries.

Then, they will embark on a guided tour of Valencia’s historic old town, taking in highlights like the Silk Exchange, Cathedral, and Water Tribunal.

The experience culminates with a food tasting of Valencian specialties, including tostada, tapas, and the iconic paella dish.

Itinerary Highlights

Starting at the Església de Sant Joan del Mercat, where the tour guide awaits participants, the Valencia Street Food Tour first takes guests to explore the bustling Mercado Central for around 40 minutes.

Here, they’ll have the opportunity to sample local pastries and delicacies.

The tour then leads guests through Valencia’s charming old town for 45 minutes, showcasing highlights such as:

1. The Silk Exchange (Lonja de la Seda)
2. The Cathedral and its famous Holy Grail
3. The Miguelete Tower
4. The Water Tribunal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The tour concludes with a 30-minute food tasting, featuring traditional Valencian dishes like tostada, tapas, and the renowned paella.

Mercado Central Visit

The tour begins at the Mercado Central, Valencia’s historic central market.

Visitors will spend 40 minutes exploring the bustling market, filled with stalls offering a vibrant array of local produce, meats, fish, and baked goods.

The guide will provide insights into the market’s rich history and the importance of its role in Valencia’s culinary traditions.

Guests will have the opportunity to sample some of the market’s famous pastries, giving them a taste of the city’s beloved specialties.

This immersive experience allows travelers to truly connect with the heart of Valencia’s food culture before venturing out to explore the city’s iconic landmarks.

Guided Old Town Tour

After exploring the vibrant Mercado Central, the tour then guides participants through Valencia’s historic old town for approximately 45 minutes.

Along the way, the knowledgeable local guide provides insightful commentary on the city’s rich history and architectural landmarks.

Key highlights include:

1. Visiting the UNESCO-recognized Water Tribunal, a unique medieval institution that has overseen the distribution of irrigation water for centuries.
2. Admiring the grandeur of the Silk Exchange (Lonja de la Seda), a stunning Gothic-style building that was once the center of Valencia’s prosperous silk trade.
3. Marveling at the imposing Miguelete Tower, the iconic bell tower of the Valencia Cathedral, which offers panoramic views of the city.
4. Exploring the picturesque Queens Square and the Government Palace, showcasing Valencia’s blend of historical and modern elements.

UNESCO Site Exploration

One of the key highlights of the guided old town tour is the visit to the UNESCO-recognized Water Tribunal. This ancient institution, dating back to the 13th century, is responsible for managing the distribution of water from the Turia River.

During the tour, guests have the opportunity to learn about this unique and enduring system of water governance, which has been an integral part of Valencia’s cultural heritage for centuries.

Visitors are captivated by the tribunal’s historic architecture and the fascinating insights provided by the knowledgeable local guide. The Water Tribunal represents Valencia’s deep connection to its natural resources and the city’s longstanding traditions of sustainable water management.

Tasting: Tostada, Tapas, Paella

Following the guided tour through Valencia’s historic old town, guests embark on a culinary exploration of the city’s renowned street food scene.

The tour culminates in a 30-minute tasting experience, where travelers savor local favorites like tostada, tapas, and the iconic Valencian paella.

The tostada, a grilled bread slice topped with tomato, garlic, and olive oil, sets the stage for the flavorful journey.

Next, guests indulge in a selection of traditional tapas, savoring the diverse tastes and textures of these small plates.

The grand finale is the authentic Valencian paella, a saffron-infused rice dish bursting with seafood or meat, perfectly capturing the essence of the region’s culinary heritage.

Meeting Point Details

The tour begins at Església de Sant Joan del Mercat, where the local guide waits outside to greet the participants. This is the designated meeting point for the Valencia Street Food Tour.

Guests should arrive at the meeting point on time, as the tour will depart promptly. The guide will be easily recognizable, holding a sign or wearing a distinctive outfit to ensure everyone can find them.

Once the group is assembled, the guide will provide an overview of the day’s activities and lead the way to the first stop on the tour – the vibrant Mercado Central, where the culinary adventure begins.

Customer Reviews

According to the customer reviews, the Valencia Street Food Tour has received an impressive overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars based on 2 reviews.

Positive feedback highlights the tour’s pace, food quality, and the knowledgeable guide. The tour is recommended for its value and culinary experience.

Some key reasons for the high ratings include:

1. Expertly-curated food tastings that showcase the best of Valencian cuisine.
2. An engaging, informative guide who brings the city’s history and culture to life.
3. A well-paced itinerary that allows ample time for exploring and sampling local delicacies.
4. An exceptional value that delivers an authentic, immersive food tour experience.

Things To Know

Can I Request a Vegetarian or Vegan Paella Option?

The tour operator is likely able to accommodate vegetarian or vegan paella requests. Guests should inform the tour guide of any dietary restrictions when booking the tour to ensure their needs are met during the food tastings.

Is There a Minimum Group Size Requirement for This Tour?

The tour doesn’t have a minimum group size requirement. Customers can book the tour individually or as part of a group, and the tour will run regardless of the number of participants.

Are Alcoholic Beverages Included in the Food Tastings?

The inclusions for this tour specify that drinks are included, though it’s not clear if alcoholic beverages are part of the food tastings. The tour description does not mention any alcoholic drinks being provided.

Can I Take Photos During the Tour?

Yes, you can take photos during the tour. The tour allows participants to capture the vibrant street scenes, historic landmarks, and mouthwatering food tastings throughout the experience to help create lasting memories.

Is There an Option to Extend the Tour Duration?

The tour doesn’t offer an option to extend its 2-hour duration. However, participants can explore Valencia’s old town further on their own after the guided portion of the tour is complete.

Sum Up

This street food tour offers a delightful introduction to Valencia’s vibrant culinary scene. Guests will explore the historic Mercado Central, discover the old town’s hidden gems, and savor a tasting of traditional Valencian dishes like paella and tapas. Led by a knowledgeable guide, this 2-hour experience promises to tantalize the taste buds and provide an authentic glimpse into the city’s rich gastronomic heritage.