The L'Albufera Natural Park is a protected space located about 10 kilometers south of the Valencia city, in the Valencian Community. It is a coastal lagoon separated from the Mediterranean Sea by a narrow strip of sand and dunes, which is home to a great diversity of flora and fauna. Did you know that L'Albufera is the cradle of paella?
L'Albufera
The Albufera Natural Park has an area of 21,120 hectares, of which 3,000 correspond to the lagoon and the rest to the rice fields, marshes, reed beds, beaches, and forests that surround it. The park is a place of great ecological importance, since it is home to more than 250 species of birds, some of them in danger of extinction, such as the osprey or the fartet. It is also the habitat of fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals, such as the fox or the otter.
In L'Albufera we will find outdoor activities for all tastes and different natural spaces that can be explored by bike, on foot and even by boat, as well as being able to appreciate the typical Valencian barracks, a traditional fisherman and peasant’s building made of adobe, mud, and rushes
Its main areas are:
The Dehesa del Saler
Between the mouth of the Turia and the Júcar we find this fascinating Mediterranean forest, where we will find El Saler, La Garrofera and La Dehesa del Saler, La Gola beaches, the Estanque del Pujol, and numerous hiking trails to discover all the fauna and flora of the region.
Palmar
El Palmar is a small district around the waters of the l'Albufera lagoon, where we can come into contact with the most cultural part of l'Albufera. Here we will find Valencian men and women who have spent their entire lives dedicating themselves to fishing, rice cultivation or activities related to this particular natural environment. Here we can taste the typical gastronomy of l'Albufera, such as paella, arroz del señoret, arroz a banda, all i pebre or llisa in adobada.
The marsh
This land corresponds to the waters that were previously part of the lake and are currently dedicated to growing rice. It is the largest area of the park, occupying some 14,000 hectares, and marks the seasonality and preserves the proper functioning of the entire ecosystem, flooding and drying up depending on the season of year. In the marsh, we find the ullals or fountain springs of l'Albufera, where the species in danger of extinction, both animal and vegetal are found.
The lake
Here we can enjoy a boat ride, we will see the birds of the area cooling off in its waters and appreciate the boats powered by lateen sails or perches. Currently, the lake is in a clogging period, due to the contributions it receives from the ravines on its western side.
The L'Albufera Natural Park is an ideal destination for nature and culture lovers who want to get to know one of the unique and beautiful spaces in the Valencian Community. If you visit Valencia and l'Albufera, and want to ensure the best service during your holidays, Hotel Conqueridor is a central and family hotel with a 24-hour reception, restaurant, buffet breakfast, meeting rooms, daily press service and free Wi-Fi. Your ideal option for your holidays in Valencia!