Valencian Paella Cooking Class in Valencia: Learn the Real Recipe

Cook the paella locals actually eat, then sit down to your own meal

A hands-on cooking class in Valencia where you learn to make traditional Valencian paella from a local chef, starting with a shopping trip to Ruzafa Market for fresh ingredients. You'll master the technique—including the prized crispy rice crust called socarrat—then make sangria while your paella simmers, and finish by eating what you've cooked with wine, salad, and dessert. The class runs 3.5 hours and includes all ingredients, drinks, and a full meal.

The Experience

The class starts at San Valero Parish, where you meet your guide and walk together to Ruzafa Market—a neighborhood spot where locals actually shop, not the tourist-filled Central Market. You'll pick out fresh produce for paella while the chef explains where the dish comes from and what it means in Valencian culture. Then it's an 8-minute walk to the kitchen.

Once there, you get a sangria-making workshop first, with tapas—patatas bravas with sojanesa, jamón serrano, Manchego cheese, steamed mussels, olives—and drinks while you work. Then the chef walks you through making authentic Valencian paella step by step: how to build the base, when to add the Albufera rice grown in Valencia's own fields, and how to achieve the socarrat—that crispy, caramelized crust on the bottom that separates real paella from the shortcuts. You're doing the cooking, not watching a demonstration.

While your paella finishes, you'll taste what you've made alongside a Valencian tomato salad, local wine, seasonal fruit, a slice of the region's sponge cake, sweet wine, and coffee. The meal is yours—you cooked it, and you eat it together with the group.

What’s included

• All ingredients for paella.
• sangria-making workshop.
• bottled water.
• wine tasting.
• tapas including patatas bravas, jamón serrano, Manchego cheese, steamed mussels and olives.
• Valencian tomato salad.
• seasonal fruit.
• traditional Valencian sponge cake.
• sweet wine.
• coffee.
• bottomless sangria during the meal.

Good to know

Wheelchair accessible

Operated by My First Paella

Is this one for you?Book this class if you want to learn the technique and the story behind paella, not just follow a recipe—the Ruzafa Market stop and the chef's explanation of Valencian culture are what make this different from a kitchen-only workshop. The 3.5-hour format gives you time to shop, cook, make sangria, and sit down to eat without rushing.

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Top questions

What exactly is the socarrat, and why does it matter in paella?

The socarrat is the crispy, caramelized rice crust that forms on the bottom of the pan—it's considered the best part of authentic Valencian paella and takes technique to get right. Your chef will show you how to listen for the sound and judge the timing so you can create it yourself.

Do I shop for ingredients myself, or does the guide pick them?

You shop together at Ruzafa Market with your guide, who explains what to look for and why each ingredient matters. You're choosing the produce and learning as you go, not just following a list.

Is this class suitable for people who have never cooked paella before?

Yes—the class is designed to teach you from the beginning. The chef explains every step and you do the cooking yourself, so no prior paella experience is needed.

What happens if I have dietary restrictions or allergies?

The class includes meat-based traditional Valencian paella as the main dish. Contact the operator before booking to discuss any dietary needs or restrictions.

Can children join the cooking class?

Children are welcome from age 2 and must be accompanied by an adult. They can participate in the cooking and meal, though the chef can advise on how to adapt tasks for younger participants.