# Boat trip on the Albufera from El Palmar

Traditional boat through the canals and the lake with El Palmar boatmen · 40–50 min · €5 adults, €3 children · all year.

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/valencian-community/albufera-valencia/things-to-do/boat-trip-from-el-palmar · Revisado: 2026-11-13

Dónde: L'Albufera de València and El Palmar

## A flat-bottomed boat, like the fishing boats

The barca albuferenca is the lake's traditional boat, the one used by the fishermen of El Palmar, which in spring and summer still goes out under lateen sail in the village's displays. You set off from a canal in El Palmar, pass between reeds and rice fields and enter the open lake. The boatman talks as you go: what is grown in each season, how eels used to be caught, who still lives in the barracas.

There are several families in El Palmar who do this. We have checked two, with their own websites and published prices.

## Rosa y Tonet: since 1978

Rosa y Tonet have been taking people out on the Albufera since 1978 and the third generation is now involved. The trip lasts about 40 to 45 minutes on the water and ends with a quarter-hour visit to a fishermen's barraca next to the jetty. It costs €5 per adult, €3 for ages 3 to 10 and nothing up to 2 years. They say they do not raise prices in high season.

They sail every day from 10:30 until sunset, with a morning shift until 14:00 and an afternoon one from 15:30. The boats are shared, with 15, 20 or 30 seats. They take people without a reservation, but if you want a specific time, book. If it rains, they sail anyway and hand out ponchos; if it is windy, they switch to a more sheltered route. For a small group, a private boat costs from €50 for one to five people and €10 per extra person.

## Ernesto Soler: by reservation, with parking

Ernesto Soler sails from the car park of the El Palmar restaurant, at calle del Santíssim Crist de la Salut, 36, where you park for free if you have booked a boat. His trip lasts about 50 minutes and costs €5 per adult and €3 per child. He publishes indicative departures at 12:00, 13:00, 16:00 and 17:00, always by reservation by phone or WhatsApp. He has three boats, with 16, 20 and 32 seats. You pay in cash; on his sunset page he adds Bizum. The commentary is in Spanish, with a little English.

## How to get there and when to go

By bus, EMT line 24 runs from Valencia to El Palmar in under an hour; see the listing for EMT buses 24 and 25. By car, take the CV-500 and the El Palmar turn-off; if you are not going with Ernesto, park in the village car park.

The trip works all year, but the landscape changes. From May to July the rice fields are flooded and green; from November to January they flood again and more birds arrive. In March and April the fields are dry. At midday in summer it is hot on the water: the first trip or the afternoon one is more pleasant. If you can choose, the sunset on the Lluent is the most beautiful, and costs €7.

## Paso a paso

### Choose a boatman and a time
Rosa y Tonet sail all day and take people without a reservation; Ernesto Soler only by reservation.

### Arrive a quarter of an hour early
The jetties are in the village itself; if you come by bus, get off at the El Palmar stop.

### Get on and sit in the middle
The boat is stable, but the middle gets less wet if there is some swell.

### Visit the barraca
With Rosa y Tonet, the trip ends at a traditional barraca beside the jetty.

### Stay for lunch
The village's rice restaurants are a few minutes' walk from the water.

## Qué llevar

Cash, especially if you go with Ernesto Soler
A cap and water in summer: there is no shade on the lake
A jacket from November to March
Insect repellent from May to September

## Consejos

### The first boat of the day
At 10:30 the lake is calm and the boats are emptier.

### Ask about the perxa
Rosa y Tonet offer a "perchando" trip, poled along, as it used to be done.

### With a dog
Both families accept pets; keep your dog on a lead at the jetty.

### Combine it with the Racó de l'Olla
The bird centre closes at 14:00: birds in the morning; then boat and rice.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### How much is the boat trip in El Palmar?
€5 per adult and €3 per child, with Rosa y Tonet or with Ernesto Soler. With Rosa y Tonet, free up to 2 years.

### Do I need to book?
With Ernesto Soler, yes. Rosa y Tonet take people without a reservation, but recommend booking for a specific time.

### Can I go with small children?
Yes. Rosa y Tonet accept babies and pushchairs at the jetty.

### Does it sail in the rain?
Rosa y Tonet sail in the rain and provide ponchos; in wind they switch to a more sheltered route.

### Can I pay by card?
Ernesto Soler takes cash or Bizum. Rosa y Tonet have online booking on their website; confirm the payment method there.