La Huerta Valencia
Valencia's vegetable paradise
The Valencian countryside has a unique agriculture open to its citizens: welcome to la Huerta!
North of Valencia, the urban landscape shifts abruptly: buildings stop, and greenery takes over. This area is known as the Huerta, a Spanish word for garden, and it serves as Valencia's own vegetable garden.
The fertile land is home to farmers who grow various vegetables and fruits, including artichokes, eggplants, cabbages, onions, and persimmons. This area is well-known for its tiger nut (Chufa), a main ingredient in the popular local drink, horchata.
The wonderful thing is that the whole land is open to walkers and cyclists. Stroll along the old farms and vegetable plantations, crisscrossed by the old network of irrigation canals built by the Moors. Some farms have been brightened up with colourful murals.
In the middle of the Huerta, you will find a traditional Paella restaurant, Casa El Famós. They cook their delicious rice dishes over an open orange wood fire. Everyone shares a big pan, eating the rice with their own spoon. It is a short walk through the fields to the small village of Alboraya, where you should try the Horchata drink at Horchatería Daniel, one of the best in the area.
The Huerta sells vegetables and fruit at Benimaclet's Saturday market. While you're there, explore this lovely neighbourhood. With a history as an independent village, Benimaclet still has a relaxed, village-like feel. Explore old houses with tiled facades, then relax on a terrace at Kaf Café, Olegari, or Tulsa.
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