Valencia: Ruzafa Market Paella Cooking Class & Tapas

Summary

Seafood paella class in Valencia with market visit and tapas

You’ll shop for fresh seafood at Valencia’s Ruzafa Market with local cooks before learning every step of making real seafood paella together. Enjoy tapas and homemade sangria in a friendly kitchen, then share your finished meal over local wine and dessert. It’s relaxed, hands-on, and you’ll leave feeling like you’ve actually lived here for an afternoon.

What’s the experience like?

We met right outside the old San Valero Parish — I was still figuring out how to pronounce “Ruzafa” when our guide, Marta, waved us over. She led us through the morning buzz of the Ruzafa market, stopping every few stalls to chat with vendors or sniff a bunch of parsley. The smell of oranges mixed with something briny from the fish counter. I tried to ask about the difference between two kinds of shrimp; Marta just grinned and said, “You’ll taste both.” So yeah, we bought a little of everything for our seafood paella.

The walk to the kitchen was quick — maybe eight minutes? — but it felt longer because I kept falling behind to look at murals or snap photos of someone’s laundry flapping above the street. Inside, our chef (I think his name was Luis) had already set out tapas: manchego cheese, jamón serrano, mussels steaming in their own broth. We all poured ourselves sangria (there’s a mini workshop for that too), and I accidentally spilled some on my notes. Luis didn’t mind — he just laughed and handed me a napkin.

Cooking seafood paella isn’t as complicated as I thought, but there’s a rhythm to it — stirring rice slowly while garlic sizzles, listening for that faint crackle at the bottom of the pan. The whole place smelled like saffron and sea air. We sat down together afterward to eat what we’d made: paella with Valencian tomato salad and local wine. Someone passed around sweet wine and sponge cake for dessert. Honestly, I still think about that first bite — salty, warm, just a hint of lemon from somewhere.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Seafood paella cooking and tasting

• Meet at San Valero Parish door
• Visit Ruzafa market and buy fresh products
• Learn about paella origin and Valencian culture
• Walk 8 minutes to cooking kitchen
• Attend sangria workshop with tapas
• Chef explains seafood paella preparation
• Taste paella with tomato salad and wine
• Enjoy seasonal fruit, Valencian cake, sweet wine, and coffee

Top questions

Is this paella cooking class in Valencia suitable for children?

Yes, children can join but must be accompanied by an adult.

Does the tour include a visit to Ruzafa Market?

Yes, you’ll start by shopping for ingredients at Ruzafa Market with your guide.

Are drinks included during the cooking class?

Yes, sangria, wine, beer, soft drinks or water are included.

Is this seafood paella class wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the experience is wheelchair accessible.

What kind of tapas are served before cooking?

You’ll have patatas bravas with sojanesa, jamón serrano, manchego cheese, steamed mussels and olives.

How long does it take to walk from Ruzafa Market to the kitchen?

The walk takes about 8 minutes.

Will I get help after the class if I have questions about making paella?

Yes, you can stay in touch with your hosts for follow-up questions after the class.

What’s included

Your day includes shopping for fresh ingredients at Ruzafa Market with your guide; all equipment and ingredients needed to cook seafood paella; a sangria workshop; plenty of tapas like patatas bravas and mussels; Valencian tomato salad; local wines; dessert with sweet wine and coffee; plus relaxed time eating together before heading out into Valencia again.