Albufera
Natural parkThe Albufera is the Costa Valenciana's natural wonder — a vast freshwater lagoon ringed by rice paddies and dune beaches just south of Valencia, and the birthplace of paella.
Why visit the Albufera
Spain's most famous coastal wetland, the Albufera is a huge freshwater lagoon separated from the sea by a wooded dune bar, the Devesa, with the El Saler and La Devesa beaches on its seaward side. Behind it stretch the rice paddies where paella was born — still cooked to perfection in the lagoon village of El Palmar — and a Ramsar-listed wetland that shelters more than 300 bird species. Take a flat-bottomed boat out at sunset; it is unforgettable.
The Albufera
A vast freshwater lagoon, best seen by boat at sunset.
El Palmar
The lagoon village where Valencian paella is at its best.
El Saler dunes
Wild dune beaches along the wooded Devesa sand bar.
Birdwatching
A Ramsar wetland sheltering more than 300 bird species.
On the map
Practical information
- Getting there: just south of Valencia; reachable by city bus to El Palmar and El Saler, or by car.
- What to see: the lagoon by boat, the paella of El Palmar, the El Saler dune beaches and the birdlife.
- Good to know: sunset is the classic time for a boat trip; book a paella lunch in El Palmar.
- Best time to visit: spring and autumn for birds and mild weather; any clear evening for the boat.
Explore more of the Costa Valenciana
The Albufera is one of many destinations on the CostaMap interactive map — browse the city, beaches, natural parks and historic towns across the whole coast.
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