Malaga: Paella Cooking Class & Atarazanas Market Tour

Summary

Malaga market flavors olive oil tasting hands-on paella lunch

You’ll wander Malaga’s lively Atarazanas Market with a local chef, taste award-winning olive oils and snacks, then cook classic paella together in a friendly kitchen just minutes away. Enjoy gazpacho, sangría, churros and regional wine over lunch — plus stories and laughter you’ll remember long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

"Don’t touch the saffron yet!" our chef, Carmen, grinned as I hovered over the little glass jar. We’d just squeezed into Atarazanas Market in Malaga — the air was thick with chatter and that salty fish smell you only get near the coast. Carmen seemed to know every vendor by name; she stopped to joke with a guy selling almonds (he winked at us and slipped her an extra handful). The colors of the peppers and tomatoes almost hurt my eyes — so bright compared to back home. I tried to say “Aloreña olives” properly, but Li laughed and corrected me. I still can’t say it right.

After the market, we walked just five minutes to this big kitchen space — modern but not intimidating. Before anything else, Carmen lined up three tiny bowls of olive oil for us to try. One was grassy, one almost sweet, one sort of peppery at the end (I actually coughed — didn’t expect that). We snacked on those famous olives and roasted almonds while she explained how paella isn’t really about strict recipes here in Malaga. It’s more about what’s fresh that morning. I liked that.

Making the paella was messier than I thought it’d be. My rice clumped at first (Carmen just shrugged — “It happens!”), but stirring in the saffron felt like some kind of ritual. The kitchen filled up with this warm, earthy smell that made everyone go quiet for a second. We also mixed sangría — not too sweet — and tasted chilled gazpacho that was tangy and cold against my tongue. Lunch turned into a slow meal with local wine, stories from Carmen about her abuela’s tricks for crispy rice, and lots of laughter over my failed churros shapes (honestly, mine looked like question marks). Walking out into the sunny street after all that food felt like waking up from a nap you didn’t know you needed.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Paella cooking class and market visit

• Meet chef guide
• Visit Atarazanas Market
• Walk to modern kitchen
• Olive oil tasting and snacks
• Prepare sangría and gazpacho
• Cook authentic Spanish paella
• Enjoy traditional lunch and wine
• Taste churros dessert

Top questions

Is the Atarazanas Market visit included in every class?

No, the market visit is only included in daytime classes from Monday to Saturday when the market is open.

How long does the Malaga paella cooking class last?

The daytime class lasts 3.5 hours; evening or Sunday classes are 3 hours.

Are vegetarian options available during the cooking class?

Yes, vegetarian options are available if requested at booking.

What dishes do we prepare besides paella?

You’ll also make gazpacho, sangría, and churros (menu may vary seasonally).

Is wine included in the Malaga cooking class?

Yes, regional wine or beer is served with your meal during the class.

Do I get recipes to take home after the class?

Yes, all recipes are included so you can cook them again later.

Where is the cooking studio located in relation to Atarazanas Market?

The kitchen is about a five-minute walk from Atarazanas Market.

Can people with dietary restrictions join?

Please advise any specific dietary needs when booking; accommodations can be made.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided tour of Atarazanas Market (on eligible days), tastings of award-winning local olive oils with snacks like Aloreña olives or roasted almonds, hands-on preparation of gazpacho, mixed paella, sangría and churros in a modern kitchen just steps from the market. Regional wine or beer is served with your meal and all recipes are provided for you to take home.