Food destinations within easy reach of Valencia, worth the early start.
Food destinations within easy reach of Valencia. worth the train, the rental car or the early start.
Famous for: Paella valenciana cooked in its birthplace, plus all i pebre eel stew
El Palmar is the fishing village in the middle of La Albufera, the freshwater lagoon where paella was born. Arroceria Maribel (Bib Gourmand.
Famous for: Cava (DO Cava Requena) and bobal red wines
Requena west of Valencia is the centre of the Utiel-Requena DO, the city's wine region, with cava cellars (DO Cava Requena) and bobal-led red wines tasted.
Famous for: Tomato culture, La Tomatina festival
Bunol west of Valencia is the home of La Tomatina, the world's largest tomato fight (last Wed of August). Outside Fallas season, the village's tomato-jam.
Famous for: Arroz al horno and the Xativa castle
Xativa south of Valencia is the medieval birthplace of Pope Calixtus III and Pope Alexander VI, with an outstanding castle and a strong arroz al horno.
Famous for: Fideua, paella, beach restaurants
Gandia south of Valencia claims to be the birthplace of fideua (noodle paella), reputedly invented by Cabanyal fishermen who ran out of rice and substituted.
Famous for: Mountain Valencian cuisine, gazpacho manchego, embutidos
Bocairent in the Sierra Mariola south of Valencia is a medieval hilltop village with mountain Valencian cuisine, gazpacho manchego (a savoury thick stew).
Famous for: Levantine tapas, Roman ruins
Sagunto north of Valencia is the Roman Saguntum, with an outstanding Roman theatre, castle and Jewish quarter. Booking recommended. Reservations advised.