Sunset boat trip on the Lluent, the middle of the lake

The sun sets behind the rice fields

It is the outing most requested in El Palmar, which is why Visit València advises booking it. The boat leaves in the afternoon light, crosses the canals and heads into the Lluent, the central part of the lake, whose name in Valencian roughly means mirror. There the boatman stops the boat and you wait for the sun to sink over the water, with the rice fields and the mountains behind. Then you head back in the last light.

Two boatmen, the same price

With Ernesto Soler it takes about 60 minutes, a little longer than a normal trip, with a stop in the middle of the lake. It costs €7 per adult and €4 per child, paid in cash or by Bizum. He only sails by reservation, by phone or WhatsApp. You park for free at the El Palmar restaurant, which is also the jetty. If you like, add a tasting snack on board.

With Rosa y Tonet it is also €7. They leave about 60 minutes before sunset and stop at a viewpoint. You book on their website, by phone or by email.

What time it leaves

It depends on the month. Ernesto Soler publishes approximate golden-light times: from 17:00 at the end of December, from 18:30 around 21 March, from 19:15 at the end of September and from 20:45 at the end of June. Confirm the time when you book, especially in the weeks when the clocks change.

In winter the sun sets early and it is cool on the water: bring an extra layer. In summer, the sunset trip is the coolest of the day. If you are coming by bus, check the time of the last one back before you book; otherwise come by car and stay for dinner.