This morning, we took the bus from our hotel near the City of Arts and Culture into town. The number 35 bus got us to Plaza de Ayuntamento in under 15 minutes. While you can pay on the bus, it’s cheaper to buy a 10-journey card from any Tabac shop.

Our first stop was the Mercado Central, where we explored in search of picnic supplies. The market is spacious and filled with all kinds of fresh food. There were stalls selling fresh fruits and vegetables, dried sausages, jamon, and local cheeses.

On the far side of the market, we found the fish stalls, displaying langoustine and shellfish on beds of ice. The Spanish really love their seafood. We bought some small, sweet green olives, miniature pimentos, and artichokes stuffed with soft cheese. From the bakery stall, we picked up almond macaroons, chocolate croissants, empanadas (chicken and meat pastries), and some plump red strawberries.

We then found a little Tapas bar to rest. The children tried some tortilla de patatas (omelette slices with onions and potatoes) and jamon and tomato open sandwiches, which were toasted so that the jamon melted into the bread.

Later, we enjoyed our picnic in the Plaza de la Virgin. The children entertained themselves by imitating street performers, juggling with plastic Perrier bottles until they fell and cracked on the ground.