Paella valenciana
Paella valenciana · Valencia, Spain
Named after its pan; Valencians say only the version with rabbit and chicken is the real thing.
Antes de ir · Know before you go
- Locals usually eat paella at midday, and ordering it for dinner is seen as a 'tourist' habit
- don't throw in random ingredients and still call it paella valenciana
Este artículo está «Sin verificar». Consulte los avisos oficiales sobre precios, horarios y fechas.
Culture
Cultura y costumbres
Contexto cultural
Paella comes from the Valencia region and takes its name from the wide, shallow pan it is cooked in — 'paella' means 'pan' in Catalan and Valencian. There are three main kinds: paella valenciana with rabbit, chicken, duck and snails; mixed paella with meat; and seafood paella. Valencians consider only paella valenciana to be true paella. Its modern form dates to the mid-19th century in the countryside around the Albufera lagoon next to Valencia, where the Arabs of al-Andalus began growing rice as early as the 10th century.
Costumbres locales
- Brought to the table in its pan and shared
- the slightly crispy crust at the bottom (socarrat) is the favourite part
Etiquette
Normas y tabúes
Normas que se aplican aquí
Spain: show photo ID when police ask
- Carry photo ID
- Ignoring a direct instruction from the police
Police can take you to a station until your identity is confirmed; ignoring a direct instruction from the police can count as 'disobedience'. Real police check documents only and will not ask to see your wallet.
Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: GOV.UK: Spain travel advice
Spain: no dangerous stunts on hotel balconies
- Keep a safe distance on balconies
- Climbing over, crossing or jumping between balconies
The hotel will throw you out and you may be fined; travel insurance may not cover accidents on balconies.
Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: GOV.UK: Spain travel advice
Spain: drinking in the street is banned in some areas
- Drink in bars and restaurants
- Walking around drinking in the street
Illegal in some areas; you can be fined on the spot.
Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: GOV.UK: Spain travel advice
Spain: don't walk around town in swimwear
- Put clothes on before leaving the beach
- Wearing only a bikini or swimming trunks, or going shirtless, on the seafront promenade and nearby streets
Illegal in some areas; you can be fined.
Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: GOV.UK: Spain travel advice
No lo haga DON'T
- Locals usually eat paella at midday, and ordering it for dinner is seen as a 'tourist' habit
- don't throw in random ingredients and still call it paella valenciana
Lo que aprecian los locales DO
Valencians appreciate customers who eat paella at the traditional lunchtime.
Plan your visit
Información práctica
Consejos de viaje
- Proper restaurants often need you to order in advance (it takes 20–30 minutes to cook)
- you'll find it in Barcelona too, but Valencia is its birthplace. Prices and opening hours are set by each restaurant
- popular old places often have queues, so go outside peak mealtimes.
Fuentes y notas de verificación
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