Rice growing in Valencia would make no sense without the existence of l’Albufera and its marshes, a protected area that we pass through on this route which begins in El Saler. An extensive area of dunes and a pine forest with the beach of La Devesa on one side, a magnificent five kilometre stretch of sand; and the lake on the other. 

Parallel to this is the CV-500, which passes the Gola del Pujol lookout point and heads towards El Palmar, past cottages, orchards and vegetable gardens. It is an ideal place to sample paella, all i pebre (stew with garlic, oil and paprika) and arrós amb fesols i naps (rice with haricot beans and turnip). Between the carrizo reeds, canes and cat's-tails swirl around mallards and grey herons, which can be observed from the Racó de l’Olla Information Centre. 

Back on the road, you pass the Parador de El Saler golf course. Further on, in Perelló, the sports facilities connect to a beach where windsurfers head out to sea when the winds are strong. Vast and serene, Les Palmeretes is the first of a series of wonderful beaches. 

The Faro de Cullera lighthouse marks the end of this stretch of coastline and crowns the Serra de les Rabosses. At the foot of the mountains, the Museum of La Cueva de Dragut takes us back to the days of pirates who ravaged the coast in the 16th century. For an excellent view over the estuary of the River Júcar and the adjacent landscape you have to make your way up the Camino del Calvario to the Castillo de Cullera, a castle built in the Califal period (10th century) on Roman and Iberian remains, which was of great importance due to its strategic location. Next to it is the Santuario de la Virgen de la Encarnación, a nineteenth-century Neo-byzantine style building. 

Half way along the road which leads off from the CV-605 towards L’Estany, a fresh water lake, is the Marenyet watchtower, also part of a defence system created to halt the incursions of the Berber corsairs. The lake itself is well worth a visit. It is a real paradise for anglers, bearing in mind the quantity and quality of the eels, carp and sea bass which are found there.

From Cullera to Sueca, we come to the Rice Museum, situated in the Hermitage of Els Sants de la Pedra, Abdó i Senent, where a guide explains how rice is grown and demonstrates traditional utensils and tools. Sueca proudly holds the title of “Rice-growing Town of Spain”. 

It was the Moors in the 13th century who introduced rice to the region, building an extensive network of irrigation channels. More than 80% of the municipal region belongs to the l’Albufera Natural Park, famed for being one of the biggest and most attractive on the Iberian Peninsula. This town invites you to take a leisurely stroll from the Church of Sant Pere to the church of Nuestra Señora de Sales, both Neo-classical in style. Ancient landmarks that, like the rice, retain all their flavour.

Two thirds of the l’Albufera Natural Park are dedicated to growing rice, an essential ingredient in the traditional dishes of Valencia, at least since the conquest of Jaime I, in 1238. 

To achieve this culinary feat, an irrigation system is used which allows the grain to mature homogeneously.

Three different varieties of rice are produced with the distinctive Protected Designation of Origin; the Senia rice and the Bahía rice which are the same shape and have the same external colour, are medium grain rice varieties and both fully absorb flavours. For its part, the Bomba variety stands out for not sticking when cooked; it is consistent and also ensures flavours are fully absorbed. 

A source of carbohydrates, rice provides vegetable proteins, minerals - phosphorous and selenium - and vitamins such as niacin and B6. It also has low fat and sodium content. Its protein combined with that of pulses produces another higher quality protein, comparable to that of meat, eggs and fish.

Fundación Española de la Nutrición (Spanish Nutrition Foundation)

Protected Designation of Origin (D.O.P.)