Paella Cooking Class with Mercat Central Visit, Valencia

5.0 (4 reviews)
Dive into the Valencian culinary world with an authentic paella Valenciana cooking class hosted by a professional chef.
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J
Julia R.
Jun 08, 2026
I'm a kimkim staff member, and I recently experienced this paella cooking class during a work trip to Spain. Led by our expert local cook and... Read more
Yenyi
Yenyi F.
May 05, 2026
What a fun experience! Our guide/master chef Juan was super fun. He was able to keep it easy to follow, and also helped the group really... Read more
Jada
Jada P.
Apr 06, 2026
This experience was absolutely awesome and a definite highlight of our time in Valencia. While we did have some flight delays, this activity couldn’t be rescheduled... Read more
Adam
Adam G.
Jul 30, 2025
There were 11 other people on our tour, and they communicated to see what type of Paella I would like. The tour was originally booked with... Read more
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Overview

Learn the secrets of one of Spain's most famous dishes during a paella cooking class in Valencia, the birthplace of this beloved rice dish. Depending on your chosen class, begin with a visit to the city's Central Market to shop for the freshest, locally sourced ingredients before joining a professional chef in the kitchen for a step-by-step lesson. Prepare traditional Paella Valenciana with chicken and rabbit, or opt for a seafood or vegetarian version, while sampling local tapas and regional wines. Finish by sitting down with your fellow cooks to enjoy the paella you've prepared, paired with more local wine.

Highlights

  • Shop for seasonal ingredients alongside your host at Valencia's Central Market
  • Prepare authentic Valencian paella step by step with a professional chef
  • Sample local tapas and regional wines as you cook
  • Sit down with your fellow travelers to enjoy your freshly made paella

Know before you go

Duration
4h
Recommended for
All ages
Group
Small group, 14 people or less
Food & Drink
Paella, tapas, and wine

What you'll do

Dive into Valencia's culinary culture with a hands-on introduction to the dish that put the city on the gastronomic map. If you join a morning class from Monday through Saturday, you'll begin at the city's landmark Mercat Central (Central Market)—the largest food market in Europe—where your host will lead you among stalls piled with freshly picked fruits and vegetables. Shop from trusted local producers and learn about the ingredients that go into Valencian cooking while getting a glimpse of everyday life in the city.

Then, head to the well-equipped kitchen to begin your cooking lesson. Under the guidance of a professional paella chef, you'll learn the techniques behind an authentic Valencian paella, following a treasured family recipe. The traditional Paella Valenciana combines chicken and rabbit, though seafood and vegetarian versions are also available. The chef will take you through every step of the process, from chopping the vegetables to simmering the broth, and will be on hand to offer help if you get stuck. As your paella takes shape, snack on local tapas, sip regional wines, and hear stories about the history, customs, and culinary traditions surrounding Valencia's most iconic dish.

Once the cooking is complete, gather around the table with your fellow classmates and the chef to enjoy the fruits of your labor, washed down with more of your host's favorite wines, and toast to your newfound cooking skills. Chat about your experience as you eat, and when you've finished, leave with the souvenir of being able to recreate your paella Valenciana any time you want back home.

Start times

  • Daily
    10:00 am, 11:30 am, 5:00 pm, 7:00 pm
  • Sunday
    Not available

What's included

  • Mercat Central visit (available Monday through Saturday mornings)
  • Professional chef and host
  • Paella cooking class with all ingredients provided
  • Tapas and wine

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Traveler reviews

4 total ratings, 4 with reviews
5.0
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
5.0
Guides, Drivers and Staff
5.0
Transport
5.0
J
Julia R.
Kansas City, MO | Reviewed on Jun 08, 2026
I'm a kimkim staff member, and I recently experienced this paella cooking class during a work trip to Spain. Led by our expert local cook and guide, this experience combines a walking tour of Valencia's historic center with a visit to the Central Market, one of Europe's largest food markets, before heading to a private cooking studio for a hands-on paella class. Along the way, you'll learn about local culture and traditions. The cooking class lasts approximately 2–3 hours and takes place in... Read more

I'm a kimkim staff member, and I recently experienced this paella cooking class during a work trip to Spain. Led by our expert local cook and guide, this experience combines a walking tour of Valencia's historic center with a visit to the Central Market, one of Europe's largest food markets, before heading to a private cooking studio for a hands-on paella class.

Along the way, you'll learn about local culture and traditions. The cooking class lasts approximately 2–3 hours and takes place in a private space with a kitchen, dining room, and bar. The chef was engaging and hands-on, making the experience fun and accessible for all skill levels.

The atmosphere was lively and social, with a few glasses of wine throughout the class. Most importantly, the paella was delicious, making this a fantastic way to experience Valencia's food culture firsthand!

Tips for future travelers

Come hungry! You'll be preparing an authentic paella, a large family-style dish designed to be shared per pairing/group. The portions are generous, so you'll have plenty to enjoy once the cooking is complete.

Quality of Experience
This is a fun, hands-on, and immersive experience. Paella is a cornerstone of Valencian gastronomy, so you'll learn about its history, its ties to the city, and expert cooking techniques that you can use to impress friends and family at your next dinner party!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The kitchen staff were incredibly helpful, professional, and friendly throughout the experience. Our guide was a true local expert, happily answering questions during the walking tour and sharing insights about Valencia and its food culture. He also served as the chef for the class and provided excellent hands-on guidance while we cooked the paella. His tips and techniques made the process approachable and helped ensure the final dish turned out beautifully.
Yenyi
Yenyi F.
California | Reviewed on May 05, 2026
What a fun experience! Our guide/master chef Juan was super fun. He was able to keep it easy to follow, and also helped the group really get to know each other. The Paella was delicious, I can't want to try this with my family. Read more

What a fun experience! Our guide/master chef Juan was super fun. He was able to keep it easy to follow, and also helped the group really get to know each other. The Paella was delicious, I can't want to try this with my family.

Tips for future travelers

No experience necessary at all. Juan really helped everyone. The other thing to check is to go on a day that the market is open, the tour still ran on the day I went, but we were not able to visit the market.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Super friendly.
Jada
Jada P.
Philadelphia, PA | Reviewed on Apr 06, 2026
This experience was absolutely awesome and a definite highlight of our time in Valencia. While we did have some flight delays, this activity couldn’t be rescheduled due to it being a group experience, so that’s something to keep in mind. But once there, you’re fully engaged the entire time, and it’s truly worth it. The experience begins with a guided tour, where you learn about the history of Valencia and the origins of paella. Walking through key spots tied to the story made it even more... Read more

This experience was absolutely awesome and a definite highlight of our time in Valencia. While we did have some flight delays, this activity couldn’t be rescheduled due to it being a group experience, so that’s something to keep in mind. But once there, you’re fully engaged the entire time, and it’s truly worth it.

The experience begins with a guided tour, where you learn about the history of Valencia and the origins of paella. Walking through key spots tied to the story made it even more meaningful and engaging. After the tour, you head to the cooking location, where the experience continues with snacks and wine before moving into the kitchen. You’re guided step-by-step through making authentic paella, all while enjoying a variety of Valencian wines and small bites along the way.

The best part is sitting down afterward with the group to enjoy the meal you created together, paired with more delicious wine and finished with a dessert and dessert wine. The staff was knowledgeable, friendly, and truly passionate about what they do, which made the experience even more special. Overall, this is a must-do when visiting Valencia: fun, immersive, and incredibly memorable.

Tips for future travelers

Eat a light breakfast beforehand, but come ready to enjoy a full meal paired with delicious wines. It’s a very filling and satisfying experience. Be prepared to walk during the first hour or so, as the experience begins with a guided tour around the city. Most importantly, arrive on time so you don’t miss any part of the experience. It really builds from start to finish and is best enjoyed in full.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
No transport needed. Meet at meeting place, and you walk with a group through the experience.
Adam
Adam G.
kimkim HQ | Reviewed on Jul 30, 2025
There were 11 other people on our tour, and they communicated to see what type of Paella I would like. The tour was originally booked with a market visit, but was rescheduled to Sunday (the market was closed). It was a fun group of people of all ages, and most of us went to a different bar after! It's a great activity for a solo traveler to meet other people! There was a huge kitchen where guests cooked each paella step with the chef's guidance. Wine flowed from beginning to end. Ended... Read more

There were 11 other people on our tour, and they communicated to see what type of Paella I would like. The tour was originally booked with a market visit, but was rescheduled to Sunday (the market was closed).

It was a fun group of people of all ages, and most of us went to a different bar after! It's a great activity for a solo traveler to meet other people!

There was a huge kitchen where guests cooked each paella step with the chef's guidance. Wine flowed from beginning to end.

Ended with communal dining and was a very fun, social, and authentic experience.

Tips for future travelers

They can cater the cooking class to be vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, and other dietary restrictions.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our chef was amazing!

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Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with experiences like this.

Get started

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