# A day at l'Albufera: birds at Racó de l'Olla, rice in El Palmar and a boat on the lake

A tower and bird observatory, a short walk among pines and dunes, rice in El Palmar and the boat of the village boatmen, 20 km from Valencia.

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/valencian-community/albufera-valencia/itineraries/birds-rice-and-traditional-boat · Revisado: 2026-11-13

## El día
- 09:00 · Salida: 30 min by car (via the CV-500, the El Saler road)
- 09:30 · Birdwatching at the Racó de l'Olla Interpretation Centre (Viewing tower and observatory · 9:00–14:00)
  - 5 min by car
- 11:15 · Devesa del Saler trails, among pines and dunes (Historic Gola de Pujol trail or the 4 km Landscape trail)
  - 10 min by car
- 13:45 · Bon Aire Restaurant (Bon Aire · all i pebre (eel stew) and paella to order · €€) · Bon Aire Restaurant, €€
  - 5 min on foot
- 16:00 · Boat trip on the Albufera from El Palmar (Rosa y Tonet or Ernesto Soler · €5 · 45 min) · Albufera Boat Trips Rosa and Tonet, From €5 per adult
- 17:00 · Vuelta (To Valencia via the CV-500)

L'Albufera begins about 10 km from the centre of Valencia and El Palmar is about 20. It is a day without hurry and without hills: in the morning, birds from a tower; at midday, the rice of the lake where it is grown; in the afternoon, a wooden boat with a boatman from the village.

## The day, stop by stop

9:00 · Set off. On the CV-500, the El Saler road, between the pine wood and the sea. Without a car, EMT line 24 drops you at stop 2169, beside Racó de l'Olla.

9:30 · Racó de l'Olla. The park's interpretation centre opens at 9:00. Climb the viewing tower and go into the lagoon observatory: herons, flamingos, cormorants or ducks, depending on the season. Bring binoculars.

11:15 · Devesa trails. Next to it, by the Gola de Pujol jetty, begins the historic trail (730 m), which explains the sluice gates, eel fishing and rice. If you have the legs, the 4 km Landscape trail crosses the malladas towards the sea.

13:45 · Bon Aire, in El Palmar. A half portion of all i pebre and a Valencian paella ordered when booking, or the €30 weekday menu. The restaurant car park is free on Monday and Thursday and costs €2 from Friday to Sunday.

16:00 · Boat on the lake. With Rosa and Tonet, at their village jetty, or with Ernesto Soler, by booking: €5 per adult and €3 per child, about 45 minutes through canals and the lake.

17:00 · Head home. To Valencia, by the same road.

## If you stay until sunset

Swap the 16:00 boat for the sunset one, which leaves in the golden light (around 17:00 in December, 20:45 in June) and stops at the Lluent, the centre of the lake. It costs €7 and must be booked.

## Cómo llegar

### By car
CV-500 from Valencia to El Saler and the El Palmar turn-off. Car parks at Racó de l'Olla and in the village.

### By bus
EMT 24 from the centre of Valencia: stop 2169 for Racó de l'Olla and El Palmar for the boat.

## Consejos

### Birds before 14:00
Racó de l'Olla closes at that hour.

### Order the rice
At Bon Aire the Valencian paella is made to order.

### Cash for the boat
Ernesto Soler is paid in cash or Bizum.

## Cuándo no ir

Going to walk the Devesa at midday in August: there is no shade on the beach.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### How long does it take from Valencia to El Palmar?
It is about 20 km on the CV-500; by bus, the EMT 24 takes under an hour.

### How much does the day cost?
Between €30 and €45 per person: the boat, €5, and lunch at a rice restaurant.

### Can you do it without a car?
Yes, with EMT line 24, which stops at Racó de l'Olla and El Palmar.

### Do you need to book the boat?
With Ernesto Soler, yes; Rosa and Tonet accept walk-ins.