Before the 2024 Valencia Flood: Lake Albufera

We weren’t in Valencia in October of 2024, when sudden, massive flooding devastated the city’s southern regions. The images of destruction were unbelievable, and the death toll was heartbreaking. It was incredible that something like this could happen in a country like Spain. But even more incredible was watching neighbors and citizens band together to clean the mess, and bring food, support and supplies to the flood victims, in the face of an appalling lack of action from authorities.

The Albufera, which has long been one of our favorite areas in Valencia, was completely heavily affected by the flooding (video in Spanish). A preposterous amount of trash (including pharmaceuticals, plastics, and even cars) washed into the fields and the lake. The cost of cleaning and restoring the area will be astronomical.

So it was bittersweet when we recently came across these unpublished photos of an excursion we took to the Albufera before the disaster. While it’s nice to remember how pristine and peaceful this area south of Valencia used to be, it hurts to know that the current situation is totally different.

On a warm, sunny day in March, we started this excursion on the lesser-visited western side of the lake, coming across some small harbors used by fishermen to anchor their boats. With the low Mediterranean light, the ancient docks, the windswept brush, the colorful boathouses, and an absolute lack of other people, the scene was almost artistic. It felt like we were looking at a live version of some unknown Joaquín Sorolla painting.

We walked alongside a narrow canal, waving at the passing fishermen who were on their way back from their day of work on the lake. The rice fields stretched out in front of us, and we enjoyed watching the birds take advantage of the abundant food and water on offer.

As the sun began its descent, we hurried around to the eastern side of the lake, so that we could get to our favorite sunset spot. There’s a well-known mirador, situated so that the sun disappears right behind the Albufera, and it never disappoints. Taking seats among others who’d shown up for the spectacle, we watched frenzied wedding photographers scramble for their perfect shot, and let ourselves be warmed by the last sun rays of the day. The perfect way to end a day.

The flood hasn’t affected the beauty of the Albufera’s sunsets, but just about everything else has changed. We have no doubt that the area will eventually recover, but that’s likely to take some time. Until then, enjoy these photos of how the Albufera looked once, and how it will look again.

From our Travel Blog.

More Photos from the Albufera Lake and Valencia

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