Barcelona: Paella Cooking Class & La Boqueria Market Walk

Summary

Paella class in Barcelona with market visit tapas sangria hands-on cooking

You’ll wander Barcelona’s famous La Boqueria market picking fresh ingredients side-by-side with a local chef, then learn how to make paella and sangria in a lively hands-on class. Share tapas and stories around the table as you cook together. Leave full of food (and maybe new friends), plus recipes to bring home.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the noise in La Boqueria to feel like music — vendors calling out, someone slicing jamón so thin you could almost see through it, and the sharp smell of oranges mixing with the briny air from the seafood stalls. Our chef, Marta, waved us over by a pile of tomatoes that looked too perfect to be real. She handed me one and said, “Smell — this is summer.” I did. It was. We picked out peppers and saffron together, me trying not to look like I had no clue what I was doing (I absolutely did not).

The walk back to their kitchen was just a few blocks but somehow felt like a reset button — leaving the chaos for this bright space where aprons hung on every chair. We started with sangria (yes, at 11am, which felt both wrong and very right). Marta let us muddle fruit ourselves; mine ended up mostly orange slices because I got distracted talking about football with another traveler from Manchester. There were little plates of pan con tomate and cheese — salty, sweet, gone too fast.

I’d never cooked paella before. Honestly thought it would be harder. Marta explained every step in this calm way that made it seem like anyone could do it — even when my rice stuck a bit she just shrugged and said, “That’s flavor.” The saffron hit my nose first when we stirred it in, then the steam rose up with this earthy warmth that made everyone stop talking for a second. I still think about that smell sometimes.

We ate together at a big table — strangers an hour ago but now arguing about whether chicken or seafood paella is better (seafood won by one vote). Someone tried to say “gràcies” properly; Marta laughed so hard she nearly spilled her wine. Dessert was almond cake dusted with sugar, which tasted like something your grandma would make if your grandma lived in Spain. Recipes printed out for us at the end — mine already creased from folding it into my bag.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Paella cooking and market visit

• Visit La Boqueria market
• Learn to pick fresh ingredients
• Return to GAB LAB kitchen
• Join Sangria-making workshop
• Taste seasonal tapas
• Participate in hands-on paella class
• Enjoy the paella meal
• Eat traditional Spanish dessert
• Have a farewell toast

Top questions

Does this Barcelona paella cooking class include a market visit?

Yes, it includes a guided ingredient shopping trip at La Boqueria Market unless it's Sunday or a public holiday.

What time does the paella class start?

Classes start at 11:00 or 19:00 depending on your booking selection.

Are vegetarian or chicken paella options available?

Yes, vegetarian and chicken options are offered alongside seafood paella.

Is lunch included in the cooking class?

Yes, you'll enjoy tapas, your own cooked paella meal, dessert, and drinks during the class.

Where does the Barcelona cooking class end?

The class ends at Carrer de Sant Gil, 4 Bis in Ciutat Vella—about 9 minutes’ walk from La Boqueria Market.

Can children join this paella cooking experience?

Yes, families are welcome; infants and small children can join with prams or strollers.

Is alcohol included in this Barcelona cooking class?

Sangria and red wine are included for adults; non-alcoholic drinks are also available.

Will I get recipes to take home after the class?

Yes, all recipes are provided so you can recreate everything later.

What’s included

Your day includes all beverages—sangria, wine, water—plus hands-on instruction from a local chef as you shop for ingredients at La Boqueria Market (except Sundays or holidays), make tapas and sangria together in their kitchen space, cook your choice of paella (seafood, chicken or vegetarian), enjoy dessert and receive printed recipes before heading out into Barcelona again.