Ready for a valencian local food experience?
Your guide for gastronomic tours and local experiences in Valencia
Explore Valencia and its rich gastronomy with customized travel programs, tours and experiences for group trips, business events, teambuilding, incentives and family & friends. Authentic, flexible, unforgettable!
Authentic & local
Discover off-the-beaten-path spots with diverse routes to authentic spots loved by locals. Support small businesses and entrepreneurs along the way!
Enthusiastic expert
Over 14 years in Valencia, experienced guide, co-author of 'Discover Valencia through the eyes of locals', hobby chef and former craft beer brewer.
Personal attention
Personal, flexible and easy going. I focus on the needs and interests of the group and they are responded to during the tours.
For starters
Gastro Bike Tour
Discover Valencia by bike through its unique gastronomy! We’ll visit the highlights and hidden gems of this beautiful city making several gastronomic stops. With this easy-going ‘tranquilo’ bike tour we’ll tap into local life & gastronomic traditions such as the typical Valencian ‘almuerzo’. The tour starts at the Central Market and will take us through the old city center, the Turia park and the City of Arts & Sciences. A great way to get to know the city upon arrival and discover what local gastronomy has to offer!
Get a Taste of Valencia
Ready to get a taste of Valencia’s local gastronomy? This unique market & tapas experience dives into the Central Market and local life. First, we visit the cathedral of senses—the emblematic Central Market! Explore some of my favorite market stalls, sip coffee, juice or ‘vermouth,’ and sample local ham, cheese, and other seasonal delights. But wait, there’s more! We’re going shopping for fresh fish, seafood & meat for our tapas lunch at a nearby traditional Valencian restaurant. They’ll grill, cook, or fry our market groceries into delicious local tapas and we’ll add some other tapas from the menu!
Prefer a custom or private tapas tour, maybe in the evening? Contact me for the possibilities!
Street Art Experience
There’s a blooming street art scene in Valencia where creative and gifted urban artists are giving life and color to the most rundown corners of the city. The murals often contain powerful social and political messages, making for a thought-provoking and eye-opening experience. It is simply spectacular to see how the El Carmen neighborhood turned into a 24/7 open-air street art museum! Combined with local drinks & bites we’ll discover the best-kept secrets of urban street art in El Carmen!
Does it all taste like more?
Looking for a complete program or a unique activity? There's so much more to explore and learn about Valencian gastronomy, culture, nature, and history! Below, you'll find an overview of my tours and experiences—perhaps the perfect fit for your group. Need something customized for your business event, group trip or private tour? Feel free to reach out—I’m happy to help!
Main courses
experience #1
Paella Experience
From €75,-
Enjoy a memorable paella cooking class from price-winning chef David and his team!
Both David and his brother run a takeaway paella business in the center of Valencia. In the most important paella competition, David won best Paella Valenciana in 2018 in Sueca, a little village near Valencia. The brothers have a true passion for paella and local gastronomy and so much positive energy! It’s truly unique that they’ve opened their kitchen for a Clandestine Paella Experience, to teach you all the secrets, tips & tricks to become the next great Paella chef!
experience #2
Huerta Experience
From €99,-
The countryside of Valencia, also known as ‘la Huerta, is a beautiful agricultural area 6 kilometres from the city.
Join us for a memorable bike tour to discover the Valencian fields! We’ll cycle along rural bike paths, passing traditional farms, vegetable gardens and fields of artichokes and ‘chufa’ (earth almonds). Along the way, we’ll stop at a local horchatería to taste the famous Valencian drink, horchata. Halfway we enjoy a delicious paella lunch at a charming Valencian restaurant. Last but not least, we’ll explore the picturesque village of Port-sa-playa. A perfect day to unwind and enjoy the beauty of the Valencian countryside!
experience #3
Albufera Experience
From €99,-
Enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets in Spain from a traditional fisherman’s boat discovering the Albufera Lake!
Experience the beauty of Lake Albufera with a private boat trip on a traditional fisherman’s vessel, where you’ll witness one of Spain’s most stunning sunsets. Enjoy a freshly prepared paella Valenciana made by a local family, served with typical starters & paired with local wines inspired by the lake and fishing heritage. All while taking in the breathtaking scenery for a truly authentic Valencian experience!
Specials
Valencian craft beer tasting
Valencia has a thriving craft beer scene with a growing amount of craft beer bars and breweries. During the craft beer tasting, we’ll discover the versatility of beer, learn about beer history, styles, ingredients, the brewing process and how to taste beer like a pro of course! We select different Valencian/Spanish craft beers and pair them with local food, fresh from the nearby market! As a former professional brewer and craft beer enthusiast, my mission is to introduce you to the local beer culture and show you the quality of Valencian craft beer combined with local gastronomy.
Culinary City Game
Looking for a fun and original teambuilding activity for your group or business? This might be it! Our Culinary City Game in Valencia combines teamwork with sightseeing and local gastronomy. A great way to connect with your colleagues, friends or family while exploring Valencia old town enjoying typical local food & drinks! And the best part, it’s mostly GPS based and you can explore Valencia at your own pace!
Culinary Hike
Explore the stunning natural beauty surrounding Valencia! Enjoy an exciting hike led by nature guide Stefan, and conclude your journey with a tasty Valencian meal prepared by Koen, all with fresh ingredients from the Central Market. All this unfolds in the heart of nature, offering breathtaking views and the perfect opportunity to unwind in great company. An active and relaxed experience like no other, sure to leave lasting memories!
Olive oil tasting & excursion
Learn all about properly tasting olive oil, how it’s made and of course, best paired with food! Our official olive oil judge, frequently judging in international competitions, will take you on a tasting journey in the bohemian neighborhood of Benimaclet! Or if you prefer, on a full day excursion to a millenary olive grove north of Valencia!
Valencian Gastronomy e-book
¡Muchas gracias! for your interest in my free gastronomic guide. Valencia has an incredibly rich gastronomy! To help you find your way around, I have listed 7 typical Valencian dishes that you should definitely try. Fun facts and tips with of course a few authentic addresses to enjoy these traditional dishes among the locals! Leave your name and e-mail address and you will immediately receive a download link in your mailbox, enjoy Valencia!
About Koen
I'm passionate about connecting people through local gastronomy
Hola! I’m Koen Mateboer, and 14 years ago, I moved to the beautiful city of Valencia for love. Since then, my affection for this place has only grown, and I’ve developed a true passion for the Valencian way of life. My mission is to connect people with the city’s authentic local culture and gastronomy while exploring its beautiful surroundings. I do this with a personal touch, a healthy dose of humor and lots of enthusiasm. Let’s create a memorable experience together!
What gives me energy?
Gastronomy
Tasty & healthy food and drinks in good company! Gastronomy fascinates me and I like to brew and cook myself, including of course the Valencian paella! I also like to combine dishes with local craft beers and wines.
Travel
Discover new places, get to know new people, enjoy nature, gastronomy, culture and history! Distant cultures and other ways of living always inspire me.
Sport
Sport has always been an important part of my life. I am very energetic and have practiced many sports. I’ve been doing Taekwon-Do since I was a kid. I also enjoy running and cycling/walking in nature!
Music
I am a huge music lover and can totally lose myself in it! I play some guitar, have been taking drum lessons and DJ regularly as a hobby. I also have quite a vinyl record collection, just love it!
Experience 'La vida Valenciana'!
Valencia, the radiant third city of Spain with more than 300 days of sunshine a year, is a lovely, friendly town on the Mediterranean coast. In combination with the rich culture, history, architecture, gastronomy and beautiful nature, it is the ideal city to enjoy the outdoors! Its location next to the Turia river and relatively short distances also make it the ideal cycling and walking city. There is so much to discover, especially if you also include the beautiful surroundings with the beaches, vineyards, mountains and Lake Albufera!
The Valencian lifestyle
What you are looking for is experiencing Valencia in an authentic and personal way. Valencian life and where it takes place, that’s what it’s all about! I believe that enjoying the local gastronomy is a great way to get to know a city, the local culture, nature and the people. While dining, people enjoy being together, all important celebrations include large meals and people usually meet on the terraces. Mostly outside and around the eating moments, that’s ‘La vida Valenciana’. This way of living is key to my experiences and I would like to take you along the ride!
Personal & flexible
Focus on one group of like-minded people that easily connect. I love to create personalized experiences for groups, businesses and families & friends. I avoid mixing large groups that move unwieldy and slowly and have diverse needs and interests. Personal attention comes first!
Authentic gastronomic experiences
A local experience during creative, original gastronomic itineraries in Valencia! You have come to the right place to discover real local places and sights, we go off the beaten track! During the experiences we dive into non-touristy parts of the city and the surroundings of Valencia to get a taste of the authentic outdoor life. Original stories with fun facts & anecdotes and a flexible route to fully enjoy an authentic experience of the Valencian gastronomy, culture and nature!
Enthusiastic guidance & tips
My mission is to let you experience authentic Valencian life by breaking the culture and language barriers and immersing you into the local life. Energetic, enthusiastic guidance with a pinch of humour to end up at authentic spots, so that you can taste the best local dishes! Relaxing & enjoying are paramount, I’m happy to be the bridge between the different cultures!
Contact me
Do you have a question or would you like to make a reservation? Please contact me via the contact form below or send a message to +34 652 609 405!
koen@valenciawithkoen.com
Phone / Whatsapp
+ 34 652 609 405
© 2025 Valencia with Koen - All Rights Reserved