Parque Natural de la Albufera
21,120-hectare wetland at Valencia's edge with free interpretation centre, viewing tower and bird observatories.
- Opening hours
- Mon-Sun 9:00–14:00 (last entry 13:30)
- Where
-
Carretera del Palmar, s/n, 46012 València
Valencia
See it on the map ↗ Get directions ↗
What you will see
The Parque Natural de la Albufera covers 21,120 hectares spread across thirteen municipalities, from Valencia to Cullera. It has been a natural park since 1986, designated a wetland of international importance since 1989, and is part of the Natura 2000 network as a special protection zone for birds (1990) and a site of community importance (2006).
To start, the simplest option is the interpretation centre at Racó de l'Olla, between the Devesa and the lake. There you will find an exhibition about the reserve and park, a viewing tower with panoramic views of the Albufera, bird observatories, a 5-hectare lagoon and a 0.8 km botanical path (return trip). If you go independently, the centre has an audioguide.
Other points in the park
- La Devesa: 10 km long, around 1 km wide and about 900 hectares.
- Port del Saler and Gola del Pujol: boat ride departure points; at the Gola the service runs all year except in bad weather.
- El Palmar: a neighbourhood of around 800 inhabitants with over 30 restaurants open all year.
- Viewing tower at Tancat de Mília: 400 metres from Portet de Sollana; recommended outside the hunting season, from October to early February.
Cost
Entry to Racó de l'Olla is free. If there are fewer than 10 of you, no booking is needed as long as there is capacity; groups of 10 to 50 people must book. The park website does not publish prices for boat rides.
Opening hours
The interpretation centre is open Monday to Sunday 9:00–14:00, with last entry at 13:30, and has limited capacity. It closes on 1 and 6 January, 19 March and 24, 25 and 31 December. The ports, viewing points and Devesa are open all day.
How to get there
The centre is on the El Palmar road, s/n (46012 Valencia), just after the turning to El Palmar at kilometre 10.5 of the CV-500. By car from Valencia, take the V-15 (El Saler motorway), which links to the CV-500. Lines 24 and 25 of the EMT bus service serve the area, stopping at that junction (stop 2169). Bookings: 96 386 80 50.
Worth visiting if…
…you are interested in birds and want prepared observatories to watch them, a short walk of less than a kilometre plus the tower climb is enough, or you are looking for a morning in the open air without paying an entry fee near the city. Bring binoculars and note that pets are not allowed, except guide dogs.
