The city of Valencia has much more to offer beyond beaches, paella, and its famous Fallas. A great example of its varied offerings is the Parque Natural de la Albufera, located just 10 kilometres from the southern part of the city. Therefore, if you’re looking for a relaxing, charming, and different plan, at LOCK & enjoy! we’ve prepared a guide so you know in detail everything you can do.
If you’ve just arrived in the city or you’re leaving late, don’t carry your luggage around. Hire any of our lockers in Valencia to move freely during your excursion. You can book your locker for a full day or just a few hours depending on the duration of your trip.
What is the Parque Natural de la Albufera?
The Parque Natural de la Albufera is one of the city’s symbols due to its importance in the ecosystem.
It’s a lagoon located along the coast and surrounded by rice fields, dunes, forests, and sea. It is considered one of Europe’s most important wetlands due to its unique ecosystem, home to hundreds of bird species, some of them endangered. Additionally, it covers an area of more than 21,000 hectares.
La Albufera is vast, tranquil, and has a magical atmosphere. For this reason, it was declared a Natural Park in 1986 and is also included in the Ramsar Convention on wetlands of international importance.
How to get there from Valencia
Taking an excursion to La Albufera is very easy because you can visit by any mode of transport:
- If you prefer to go by car, from the centre of Valencia take the CV-500. In just 20 minutes you will arrive in El Palmar, the heart of La Albufera.
- The bus is ideal if you don’t want to worry about parking. Take EMT line 25 at Porta de la Mar (the closest to the centre). There are various stops to reach the park: El Palmar, El Perellonet, etc. Visit the EMT urban bus website to plan your journey based on timetables and routes.
- Going to the park by bicycle is increasingly popular due to the numerous bike lanes and natural trails from Valencia. It’s a healthy, eco-friendly option, allowing you to enjoy wonderful views as you approach La Albufera.
If you come by train to spend the day at the park, book one of our lockers in Ruzafa, as it’s very close to the station.
What activities can you do in the Parque Natural de la Albufera?
At the Parque Natural de la Albufera, you can enjoy numerous activities that will make your Valencia getaway a different, original, and unique day. Furthermore, they are ideal for both adults and children.
Traditional boat ride
This is one of the most authentic and recommended activities. For this boat ride, traditional fishing boats called albuferencs are used; it’s an authentic journey to the past due to their characteristic design. The ride consists of calmly touring the canals and lagoon. To rent one, head to the piers located at El Palmar or at the Racó de l’Olla Interpretation Centre.
At LOCK & enjoy!, we recommend doing the ride at sunset. We are sure you won’t forget the image of the sun tinting the water orange, along with flocks of birds flying around the area.
El Palmar
This is a small village located within the park; it’s the heart and soul of La Albufera. Many families who have traditionally worked in fishing and rice cultivation (a very characteristic Valencian product) live here.
Take a stroll through its quiet streets and enter its souvenir shops and local product stores. Moreover, it’s the perfect place to sample local gastronomy.
Birdwatching
Nature around Valencia is very rich, especially at La Albufera, as it’s a favourite spot for birdwatchers. The best seasons to observe local birds are spring and autumn, as they stop at the lagoon during their migratory process.
The most common birds are flamingos, herons, ospreys, and coots. To see them, visit Racó de l’Olla with good binoculars and have patience.
Hiking and cycling routes
In the park itself, there are several hiking and cycling routes that allow you to explore its ecosystem (dunes, pine forests, lagoons, rice fields, etc.) in much greater detail. Several routes are well-marked, but the prettiest and most peaceful is the one from El Palmar to El Saler.
What to eat at La Albufera
You can’t leave the area without trying its most emblematic dish: the authentic Valencian paella. At local restaurants, you won’t find creative versions or ingredients outside the original recipe, as they exclusively serve traditional paellas.
We recommend Casa Ángel, famous for its menus that include a boat ride. On the other hand, restaurant Bon Aire has been awarded for its excellent paella. Meanwhile, Nou Racó offers the most spectacular lagoon views.
Come and discover the Parque Natural de la Albufera, and remember, we also have lockers at Valencia City Hall so you can leave your belongings for as long as you need.
Sevilla