Alfafar, with about 22,000 inhabitants, is a Horta Sud town just south of Valencia. Its flat land runs from the town centre, now merged with the capital's districts, to the rice fields and the shores of the Albufera lagoon inside the natural park. That is why it is also called "Valencia's marjal" (marshland).
History
The name comes from Arabic and means roughly "place of ditches" or "deep place". After the Christian conquest, in the 14th century King Peter the Ceremonious granted its lands to the city of Valencia. For centuries the town lived from farming, especially rice. In the 20th century the El Parc district and commercial and industrial areas grew. On 29 October 2024 Alfafar was among the towns worst hit by the DANA floods, with deaths and enormous damage: rebuilding has required a huge effort from the whole community.
What to see
- The church of the Mare de Déu del Do, the patron, with its Baroque bell tower.
- The old town, with traditional Horta houses.
- The rice fields and canals, to explore on foot or by bike, and the Albufera lagoon, with boat trips at sunset.
- The Sequiota, the old irrigation canal, and the barracas, traditional thatched houses.
Festivals
The patron festivities of the Mare de Déu del Do, in September, with processions, music and fireworks. The Fallas are celebrated in March, along with neighbourhood fiestas.
Food
Rice rules: Valencian paella, arròs negre, arròs amb fesols i naps and all i pebre with eel, the Albufera speciality, best enjoyed in the restaurants of El Palmar, a few kilometres away.
Getting there
Alfafar is linked to Valencia by Cercanías trains and buses. El Saler beach and La Dehesa, in the natural park, are close by.