Things to Do in l'Albufera

L'Albufera Essentials

L’Albufera Natural Park encompasses Spain’s largest freshwater lagoon, a vast network of rice paddies, and the Mediterranean coastline. This selection highlights the fishing village of El Palmar, the birthplace of paella, alongside traditional thatched barraca houses. Key sites include observation points for viewing migratory bird species and wooden jetties where albuferenc boat tours depart. The area’s unique ecosystem is managed through golas, or canals, which regulate water levels between the lagoon and the sea.

L'Albufera Essentials — Map

Elisabeth Verbruggen / CC-BY-SA

A

Embarcador de la Gola del Pujol

Traditional wooden pier on the canal connecting the lagoon to the Mediterranean. It serves as a departure point for guided boat tours in traditional albuferenc vessels.

B

Mirador de la Gola de Pujol

Elevated viewing platform situated by the canal gates. It provides panoramic views of the lagoon's expanse and the surrounding pine forests of the Devesa.

C

Embarcador del Palmar

Jetty located in the fishing village of El Palmar, offering boat excursions through the narrow canals and open waters of the lagoon.

D

Centre d'Interpretació Racó de l'Olla - Parc Natural de l'Albufera

Educational center featuring birdwatching blinds and exhibits regarding the lagoon’s flora, fauna, and the historical development of the local rice industry.

E

MariBel

Regional restaurant in El Palmar specializing in wood-fired paella and all i pebre, a traditional stew made with fresh eel from the lagoon.

F

Barraca "de les Arandes"

A well-preserved example of a 19th-century barraca, a traditional Valencian farmhouse built from mud, reeds, and straw with a steep thatched roof.

G

Cañas y Barro

Established restaurant specializing in local cuisine, taking its name from the famous Vicente Blasco Ibáñez novel set in the surrounding wetlands.

H

Platja de la Garrofera

A 1.5-kilometer stretch of sandy beach located within the protected dunes of the Devesa, situated between the Saler and Devesa beaches.

I

Torre mirador

High-altitude observation post within the Racó de l'Olla reserve, offering a vantage point for spotting flamingos, herons, and other migratory birds.

J

Reserva Ecológica del Racó de l'Olla

A 50-hectare protected zone featuring salt marshes and ponds. It acts as a critical nesting ground for several species of aquatic birds.