Tapas Route, Modernist Streets

Overview

This walk pairs two things Valencia does well: modernist architecture and tapas. It is a GuruWalk walk led by Danila, it runs in Spanish, and it lasts 2 hours 15 minutes. The route sets off from the Mercado de Colón in L'Eixample, works its way past the Estación del Norte and the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, and finishes at the Plaza del Mercado Central. Along the way the guide tells stories about the buildings and suggests tapas to try in the bars, in the spirit of the Valencian almuerzo.

The route has five stops in total, though the GuruWalk listing names only the first three. The guide suggests different tapas to try in the bars, and the cost of whatever you order is yours to pay. That is the honest shape of the outing: the walk itself is free, pay what you want, while the food and drink at the stops are a separate cost the guest covers.

The tour is pitched at couples and solo travellers who want to stay close as a group, mixing food, architecture, history and a few legends. Reviews back this up, describing a very personal feel, good explanations of the modernist buildings, and tapas stops that surprised them.

Itinerary

1. Meet at Mercat de ColónThe meeting point is the pharmacy at Carrer de Cirilo Amorós 66, beside the Mercado de Colón in L'Eixample. The guide carries a small red backpack made of fallero fabric so you can spot her.
2. Carrer de Cirilo AmorósThe walk continues along Cirilo Amorós, taking in the modernist buildings of L'Eixample with stories about each place.
3. Estación del NorteThe route passes the Estación del Norte before heading on toward the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, with tapas suggestions along the way.
4. Plaza del AyuntamientoThe group continues past the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, with the guide suggesting tapas and drinks at the bars the way locals do at almuerzo time.
5. Finish at Plaza del Mercado CentralThe walk ends at the Plaza del Mercado Central. The GuruWalk listing names the first three of five stops on the route.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you decide whether this Spanish-language walk fits your plans.

• Spanish only. The walk runs in Spanish, so you need enough of the language to follow the stories and the tapas suggestions.
• Budget for tapas. The walk itself is free, pay what you want, but the food and drink at the stops are a cost you pay yourself. The guide suggests what to try and the cost depends on what you order.
• Group feel. The GuruWalk listing describes the tour as designed for couples and solo travellers who stay in touch as a group. One reviewer found it very personal because their group was only three people, though group size will vary.
• Pace and timing. The walk lasts 2 hours 15 minutes.
• What to spot. The guide carries a small red backpack made of fallero fabric and meets at the pharmacy by the Mercado de Colón. Reviews mention how approachable and friendly the guide is, so questions about the buildings or the food go down well.

Common issues. The main thing to understand before reserving is the cost structure: the walk is free, pay what you want, but every tapa and every drink at the stops is paid by the guest, and the guide says the cost depends on what you want to try. The walk is in Spanish only, which rules it out for anyone without the language. The GuruWalk listing names only the first three of the five stops, so the later route is at the guide's discretion.

Questions People Ask About This Walk