Experience the Community of Valencia's famous festivals

The main ingredient used in traditional Valencian cuisine is rice. Having been introduced to the peninsula during the period of Arab domination, it is best-known in its paella form, which is renowned throughout the world. The exact origins of this popular dish are unknown, but one theory states that 'paella' is a Valencian word meaning 'frying pan', also stemming from the Latin 'patella'. There are many different types of paella; traditional Valencian paella generally consists of yellow rice, chicken, green beans, butter beans, 'habichuelas' (another type of green bean), escargots, tomatoes, saffron, ground red pepper and olive oil. It is cooked on a low heat in a paella pan. There are also many different types of rice, which you'll find served with seafood, mixed, in a pan, cooked in a casserole pot, etc. This region even has its own particular variant, known as 'fideua' (a typical Spanish dish consisting of vermicelli and seafood), most likely invented by a chef on a boat, who had a particularly good assortment of fish but no rice! Of course, we strongly recommend that you try this.