# Albufera Natural Park, Valencia > The Albufera is a large freshwater lagoon and nature park 10 km south of Valencia, separated from the sea by a strip of dunes and pines. Around it lie the rice fields where paella was born, and the village of El Palmar cooks it in dozens of restaurants. People come to ride traditional flat-bottomed boats, watch birds and catch one of Spain's finest sunsets. Allow half a day. Web page: https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia/albufera - City: [Valencia](https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia), Spain - YesGo score: 21/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 3 h 30 min - Opening hours: The park is always open; boats by day and at sunset - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: Free - Boats: A 30–45 minute trip, paid - Highlights: The lagoon, the sunset, paella in El Palmar, birds - Time needed: Half a day - Getting there: Bus from the centre ≈ 30–40 min - Location: ≈ 10 km south of Valencia - Coordinates: 39.33167, -0.35222 - Facts checked: 11.11.2026 ## Key facts - **1986** — the Albufera became a nature park (source: English Wikipedia) - **≈ 10 km** — from central Valencia (source: English Wikipedia) - **Rice** — the local fields are paella's birthplace (source: English Wikipedia) - **Birds** — a key wintering and nesting site (source: English Wikipedia) ## About the Albufera The name comes from Arabic and means **'little sea'**. It's a shallow freshwater lagoon cut off from the Mediterranean by a narrow strip of sand dunes and pine woods. **Rice fields** surround the lagoon: in spring they're flooded and the plain becomes a vast mirror, and in autumn the ears turn gold. In **1986** the lagoon and its surroundings became a **nature park**. Thousands of birds winter and nest here, herons, ducks, terns and sometimes flamingos, so it's a favourite with birdwatchers and photographers. For Valencians, though, it's above all the home of true paella. ## Boats and sunset The thing to do is a **trip in a flat-bottomed boat**, the kind local fishermen have used on the lagoon for centuries. Boatmen leave from the jetties in **El Palmar** village and at the La Mata landing; trips last about half an hour, gliding through reed channels to open water. The most popular time is **sunset**, when the sun sinks into the lagoon and water and sky glow orange and pink. Sunset boats fill fast, so arrive early. If you'd rather not take a boat, the jetty by the road has the same view. ## What to see in the Albufera - **A boat trip** — through the channels and across the lagoon. - **Sunset over the lagoon** — one of the region's great sights. - **El Palmar** — a fishing village of paella restaurants. - **The rice fields** — mirror-like in spring, golden in autumn. - **Birds** — herons, ducks and sometimes flamingos. - **El Saler dunes** — a wild beach by the pine woods. > **Where to eat paella** Authentic Valencian paella, with chicken, rabbit and green beans, or black rice with seafood is best eaten at lunchtime in El Palmar's restaurants. It's cooked over wood for the whole table, at least two people, and takes 30 to 40 minutes. Book a table ahead at weekends. ## El Saler beach and the dunes Between the lagoon and the sea runs a strip of dunes and the **Devesa** pine wood, and beyond it the long, wild **El Saler** beach, with fine sand and clear water. It's far quieter than Valencia's city beaches, and in summer people spend whole days here: the sea in the morning, paella at lunch and a sunset boat in the evening. Walking and cycling trails run through the woods and dunes, with signs about the plants and birds. The dunes themselves are protected, so keep to the paths and boardwalks. ## How to get there 1. Bus from central Valencia to El Palmar, about 30 to 40 minutes. 2. By bike along the coastal cycle path, about an hour each way. 3. By car, about 20 minutes on the CV-500 along the coast. 4. Half-day tours from Valencia, often with paella and a boat trip. ## Tips for your trip Spring and autumn are best, with mild weather and plenty of birds. Summer evenings bring mosquitoes over the lagoon, so pack repellent. Buses are infrequent, so check the return times, especially after sunset. A good half-day plan: arrive for lunch, eat paella in El Palmar, stroll the village and rice fields, and board a boat for sunset. Children love watching the birds and the boat ride, and in summer swimming at El Saler. With a car, stop at the viewpoints along the CV-500 to see where the lagoon meets the fields and pine woods. Village shops sell local paella rice, the best souvenir of Valencia. ## Before you go Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser. - [ ] Book a paella lunch in El Palmar - [ ] Check the return bus times - [ ] Take a sunset boat trip - [ ] Pack repellent in summer - [ ] Buy some paella rice ## Places in Valencia: compare and choose Places in Valencia rated by YesGo. - [Bioparc Valencia](https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia/bioparc-valencia) — YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Paid - [Albufera](https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia/albufera) — YesGo score 21/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h 30 min · Free; boat rides paid ## Don't mix it up Valencia's Albufera and Mallorca's are different nature parks. Mallorca's is a marshland reserve near Alcúdia. ## Tips - Paella in El Palmar at lunch. - A boat at sunset. - Repellent in summer. - Check the return bus. ## Questions ### How do I get to the Albufera from Valencia? By bus to El Palmar in 30 to 40 minutes, or by bike or car along the coast. ### How much is a boat trip? The half-hour trip is paid; check the price with the boatmen at the jetty. ### Where can I eat paella in the Albufera? In El Palmar's restaurants; book ahead at weekends. ### When is the best time to visit? Spring and autumn, from lunchtime until sunset. ### Is there a beach nearby? Yes, the wild El Saler beach beyond the dunes, between the lagoon and the sea. ## How we checked Facts from English Wikipedia. Boat prices and bus timetables weren't confirmed with an official source — hence the 'checking' badge. ## Sources - English Wikipedia: Albufera de València - Valencia tourism portal, visitvalencia.com --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.