If you are staying in Valencia during the Fallas, and you are tired of the noise and the crowd walking down the streets, take a little breath of fresh air at the Albufera de Valencia.

The Albufera de Valencia is one of the most representative and valuable coastal wetlands of the Valencian Community, to the extent that in 1986 it was declared a Natural Park. Situated in the south of the city of Valencia, the Albufera is one of the most precious natural areas of the Mediterranean, due to the singularity of its fresh waters. Three canals, or golas, of which two natural and one artificial, communicate the sea with the pond and the surrounding marshes. Each of these environments has its own vegetation and its associated fauna. Its value for the environment is extremely important, as it contains species in danger of extinction, such as “fartet» and “samaruc» fishes. The Albufera is an important nesting and wintering site for migratory birds as well.

The Albufera in figures :

• Located about 10 kilometers south of Valencia
• Average depth of one meter
• It covers an area of 24 Km²
• Surrounded by more than 200 Km² of rice fields

A day in Albufera :

Boat trip :

There is the possibility of taking a boat trip on the lagoon of l’Albufera, using typical traditional boats, called «albuferencs», available in the main municipal piers:

• El Saler
• Gola del Pujol
• El Palmar
• Puerto de Catarroja

The ride lasts one hour and it is not very expensive.

Sunset :

For the more patients, we suggest you to wait until the sunset. This incredible natural spectacle will leave you breathless without any doubts!

How to get access :

The main access road to the Albufera Natural Park is the Saler motorway (V-15), which departs from Valencia to the Saler.

You can also take the line 25 of the EMT city buses. This line takes to El Palmar and El Perellonet from the center of Valencia, in less than an hour and for only 1,50€ the way. You can alight at the Embarcadero or El Palmar stops and enjoy a traditional boat trip on the Albufera Lake. Another way to enjoy a walk to the Albufera Natural Park is by the Albufera Tourist Bus. In this bus, you will enjoy a most complete visit of the Albufera Natural Park discovering the ecosystems of the rice fields. In addition this visit includes a boat ride.

http://www.lovevalencia.com/la-albufera.html

http://www.lifealbufera.org/index.php/en/l-albufera/l-albufera-of-valencia/habitats-in-l-albufera