The city of Valencia has much to offer beyond the beaches, paella and its famous Fallas. A good example of its offer in all areas is the Albufera Natural Park, just 10 kilometers from the south of the city. Therefore, if you are looking for a relaxed, different and charming plan, in LOCK & enjoy! we have prepared a guide for you to know in detail everything you can do.
If you have just arrived in the city or are leaving late, don’t carry your luggage. Hire any of our
What is the Albufera Natural Park?
The Albufera Natural Park is one of the symbols of the city due to its importance in the ecosystem.
It is a lagoon on the coast and is surrounded by rice fields, dunes, forests and sea. It is considered one of the most important wetlands in Europe because it has a unique ecosystem inhabited by hundreds of bird species, some of them endangered. On the other hand, it has an area of more than 21,000 hectares.
The Albufera is huge, quiet and with a magical air. For this reason it was declared a Natural Park in 1986 and is also included in the so-called Ramsar Convention of wetlands of great international importance.
How to get from Valencia
A trip to the Albufera is very easy because it can be visited by any means of transportation:
- If you prefer to go by car, from the center of Valencia take the CV-500. In just 20 minutes you will reach El Palmar, the heart of the Albufera.
- The bus is ideal if you don’t want to worry about parking. To do so, take EMT line 25 at Porta de la Mar (the closest to the center). There are different stops to get to the park: El Palmar, El Perellonet, etc. Visit the EMT city bus website to plan your round trip according to schedules and routes.
- Cycling to the park is becoming an increasingly popular option due to the numerous bike paths and nature trails from Valencia. It is a very healthy and ecological option and also allows you to enjoy the wonderful views as you approach the Albufera.
If you come by train to spend the day at the park, book one of our luggage lockers in Ruzafa Lockers in Ruzafa, as it is very close to the station.as it is very close to the station.
What activities can be carried out in the Albufera Natural Park?
In the Albufera Natural Park you can do many activities that will make your trip to Valencia a different, original and unique day. In addition, they are ideal for both adults and children.
Traditional boat ride
It is one of the most authentic and recommendable activities. To do this tour, fishermen’s boats, called albuferencs, are used; an authentic return to the past due to the design that characterizes them. The tour consists of going through the canals and the lagoon with absolute calm. To rent one, go to the boats located in El Palmar or the Racó de l’Olla Interpretation Center.
At LOCK & enjoy! we recommend that you do the tour at sunset. We are sure you will not forget the image of the sun dyeing the waters orange, as well as the flocks of birds in the area.
El Palmar
It is a small town located inside the park; it is the soul of the Albufera. In this town live many of the families who have traditionally worked in fishing and rice cultivation, a very characteristic food of Valencia.
Take a stroll through its quiet streets and enter its souvenir stores and local products. It is also the perfect place to taste the local gastronomy.
Bird watching
The nature near Valencia is very rich, especially in the Albufera, since it is the preferred area for ornithologists. The best time to contemplate the native birds is spring and autumn, since they stop at the lagoon in their migratory process.
The most common are flamingos, herons, ospreys and coots. For this, approach the Racó de l’Olla with good binoculars and be patient.
Hiking and biking trails
In the park itself there are a series of hiking and biking trails that will allow you to get to know the ecosystem of the park (dunes, pine forests, lagoons, rice fields, etc.) in much more detail. There are several routes that are well marked, however, the most beautiful and quiet is the one that goes from El Palmar to El Saler.
What to eat in Albufera
You cannot leave the area without trying its most emblematic dish: the authentic Valencian paella. In their restaurants you will not find creative versions or ingredients outside the original recipe because they serve exclusively traditional paellas.
We recommend Casa Angel, since it is known for its menus with a boat ride included. On the other hand, restaurant Bon Aire has been awarded for its excellent paella. On the other hand, Nou Racó has the most spectacular views of the lagoon.
Come to know the Albufera Natural Park and, remember, we also have Lockers for luggage at the City Hall of Valencia so you can leave your belongings for as long as you need.
