Albufera
L'Albufera
A coastal freshwater lagoon surrounded by rice paddies. Take a traditional flat-bottomed boat to watch the sunset, then eat authentic paella in the village of El Palmar.
The Albufera lies about 10 to 15 km south of Valencia. It is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Spain and is separated from the sea by a strip of pine-covered sand dunes. It became a natural park in 1986. Vast rice paddies surround the lake, and the Bomba rice grown here is the heart of Valencian paella. Paella was born in the kitchens of rice farmers and fishermen by the lake. The classic experience is to take a traditional flat wooden boat called an albuferenc from a lakeside pier before sunset, such as those at El Palmar or near El Saler. The trip takes about 30 to 45 minutes and costs about 5 to 6 euros per person. You can watch the sun sink into the water and herons and flamingos take off and land. There are large numbers of migratory birds in winter. El Palmar village is surrounded by canals and lined with restaurants. Recommended dishes include authentic Valencian paella with chicken and rabbit, and All i pebre, a spicy eel and potato stew. Paella for two should be ordered at the start of your meal, as it takes about 30 to 40 minutes to prepare. Getting there: take bus 25 from the city to El Palmar, which takes about 40 to 60 minutes. Buses run infrequently, so check the last bus. You can also take a taxi or join a sunset boat tour. By car, it takes about 25 minutes.
Opening hours
All day; boat trips from about 10:00 until sunset
Nearby sights
- El Saler Beach
- Museo Fallero
- City of Arts and Sciences
- Gulliver Park
- Russafa
- La Marina de València
- Estació del Nord
- Mercado de Colón