Valencia To Go: A Guide to Creating the Perfect Picnic

The art of Valencian picnicking is indulgent and deeply rooted in local traditions. On this walking tour, you’ll discover how to picnic like a local as I point out various independently-owned shops that produce or sell traditional artisan goods, including bread, pastries, cheese, charcuterie, chocolate, and wine. By the end of this tour, you’ll have everything you need for a delicious Valencian picnic, including the perfect place to enjoy your tasty treats: Parque Central.

The tour starts in front of the Mercat de Colón, a traditional food market, built in 1916 and restored in 2003. Here, you’ll discover the delightful Horchata (a sweet and creamy beverage made from ground nuts) before learning all about Spanish ham. You’ll go on to discover Valencia’s L’Eixample district and fill your picnic basket with delicious food. I’ll also take you through the vibrant Ruzafa neighborhood, and show you the Mercat de Russafa where you’ll get some insider tips on how to buy fish. As you continue your stroll through this foodie’s paradise, I’ll share a few stories behind local ingredients and dishes. You’ll learn the secrets of Valencian paella and find out how to interpret a Spanish wine label. The tour ends at Parc Central, the perfect space to dig into the delicious fare you’ve picked up along the way.

On this 90-minute tour, you’ll visit:

• La Majada Quesos, Spain’s award-winning cheese store
• Forn Valencia where you can sample and then purchase bread from a wood-fired oven
• QUE BÓ! where you can try traditional Valencia paella which is prepared with rabbit and chicken, not seafood
• Trufas Martinez, a chocolatier specializing in chocolate truffles
• The Mercat de Colón, where you’ll discover Jamón Serrano, a mountain ham and Valencian picnic staple

Along the way, you’ll also have a chance to:

• Try Buñuelos, the Valencian answer to churros, and meet Mariano, the fourth generation of his family to make this fluffy pumpkin-filled snack
• Find out what makes ‘cappuccino Valenciano’ different from the rest (hint, it’s zesty!)
• Sample the best gelato in town at Antigua Lechería Valencia
• Learn about local wedding traditions while passing the Basílica Sant Vicent Ferrer
• Feel like a true Valencian as you tuck into your fare and sample local flavours

By the end of the tour, you’ll have all the ingredients you need for the perfect picnic, and a deeper appreciation for Valencian gastronomy.