Enjoy a foodie getaway in València to taste the Mediterranean

One of the highlights of any trip away is the opportunity to delve into plates of food that reveal the culture and traditions of the destination you are visiting. The Region of Valencia will never disappoint in this regard. Food and drink here is an essential part of the everyday, a lifestyle, an idiosyncrasy and an experience that you can live and fall in love with on your next getaway. 

With as many recipes and dishes as towns, villages and cities, the cuisine defining the Region of Valencia has one thing in common: local produce. Whether it’s fish, sea food, vegetables, fruits, olive oil or wines, the region is simply bursting with prime quality ingredients, making food and drink in València a way of life. 

València, a foodie destination

In the city of València food is cooked over a gentle fire, under the sun and even in the wind. A unique way of doing things that will astound and inspire. A place where you can live through your palate, where you can sit down around a table to share lovely moments with the locals and discover the immense value and joy of a conversation over good food. 

With years and years of tradition, esmorzaret at 11am has become a veritable ritual, and not one that is just kept by the older population, but one that is much loved by younger people too. A Valencian version of brunch, esmorzaret starts with a picaeta, meaning nibbling on some nuts, beans and olives, followed by the sandwich of the day and completed with a slice of cake and cremaet, a coffee made with sugar, lemon, rum and sometimes cinnamon. The result is a gastronomic tradition that faithfully represents the family-spirit of Valencians. 

After taking a sunny walk along the beach, through the gardens sitting in the former riverbed of the Turia or around the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, we invite you to discover the temple of Valencian food and drink: Mercado Central de València. The beauty of its exterior is nothing compared to what it houses inside. 

Known as “the cathedral of the senses”, Mercado Central is over 100 years’ old and has over 300 stalls, making it the biggest centre selling fresh produce in Europe. Inside the market you can also find gourmet shops, international products and stalls specialising in wines, beers and tinned food. 

Of course, no foodie day in the city of València is complete without trying the internationally popular dish of paella. Enjoy digging into the classic rice dish with your loved ones, with views over the sea, and fall in love with the taste of the Mediterraean. 

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