Catarroja: Albufera, Rice Fields and Culture

Catarroja can be experienced through its water, nature, culture and cuisine. The Port de Catarroja is a freshwater port and one of the most important gateways to the Albufera. From here, visitors can take a boat through a canal of the Albufera surrounded by nature and rice fields; one route runs through the rice fields of Catarroja to the mouth of the Barranc de Chiva in L’Albufera lake. For planning purposes, the waterway and the landscape route can be considered as different focuses.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Catarroja, you can compare travel dates, room categories and cancellation policies on the respective offer pages. The themes of the port and water, nature observation, culture and local cuisine can be weighed alongside one another when planning your own trip.

Nature and Landscape

The natural area includes Tancat de la Pipa, a reserve within the Parc Natural de l’Albufera. The area covers 40 hectares with two lagoons, a Ulla, or natural water outlet, and four plots serving as artificial wetlands. The Tancat de la Pipa observatory can be visited throughout the year to observe the birds that live in the nature park and around the Port de Catarroja. Visits to Tancat de la Pipa must be arranged in advance.

Water and Boats

Boat trips from the Port de Catarroja are offered throughout the year and last approximately two hours. Especially in spring and summer, the Associació de Vela Llatina dels Peixcadors de Catarroja stages demonstrations from the Port de Catarroja to the Albufera; visitors can watch them from the port or from accompanying boats. The local fishermen’s association for Vela Latina also organizes courses that anyone can register for as a participant. Those weighing up a trip, demonstration or course will find different ways to get to know the waterscape.

Culture and History

The Iglesia de San Miguel in the Las Barracas district is a 17th-century church. Casa Palacio de Vivanco is a building from the mid-18th century that has been classified as a Bien de Interés Cultural. Its main façade combines neoclassical design with late Baroque ornamentation. The Museo Antonia Mir features a permanent exhibition of the painter Antonia Mir, who came from Catarroja and was born in 1928. Antonia Mir donated 260 works, including drawings, oil paintings, watercolours, pastels and screen prints. Casa Sulema at the Port de Catarroja is a house museum with a large collection of relics from the port and other areas that are considered to have historical and ethnological value.

Local Cuisine

In September, Catarroja hosts the Concurs d’Allipebre, which has been held for more than 45 years. Allipebre is the signature dish of the Port de Catarroja, a stew in which eel from the Albufera, garlic and paprika are the main ingredients.

Other Places

Other places you can discover: Bétera, Villargordo Del Cabriel, Titaguas, Villalonga, Jalance, Simat de la Valldigna, Turís, La Torre D'en Besora

For the higher-level travel overview: Valencia.