Marjal dels Moros

Marjal dels Moros is one of the last large, well-preserved coastal wetlands in the Valencian Community, stretching in a narrow strip between the municipalities of Puçol and Sagunto, right along the Mediterranean shoreline. The wetland runs roughly 3 km in length and between 1 and 1.5 km in width, and it survives today as a remnant of a much larger marshland that once extended along the coast from El Puig to Moncofa.

Why does this wetland matter for wildlife?

Marjal dels Moros sits directly on the migratory route connecting northern Europe and Africa, making it a critical stopover point for birds crossing this path each year. More than 250 bird species have been catalogued within the wetland, including both resident, nesting species and countless migratory visitors that pause here to rest and feed during long journeys. This exceptional ornithological richness is the reason the site holds ZEPA status (Special Protection Area for Birds) and forms part of the Natura 2000 network, with a dedicated microreserve protecting the most valuable stretches of the ecosystem.

How has the protection status of the area evolved?

The conservation history of Marjal dels Moros is closely tied to the region's industrial past. After the dismantling of the nearby Mediterranean Iron and Steel Works (AHM) in 1995, the Valencian regional government acquired the surrounding land, placing 350 hectares of wetland under protection as non-developable land with special safeguard status. A few years later, in 2001, the protected perimeter was expanded to 620 hectares following the site's inclusion in the Natura 2000 network, considerably strengthening its legal standing and long-term prospects for preservation.

What challenges does the area face today?

Despite its formal protection, the coastline bordering Marjal dels Moros is struggling with serious erosion. Coastal regression has already caused part of the beach and the natural barrier separating the wetland from the sea to disappear. This is largely a consequence of infrastructure built perpendicular to the coast — most notably the Port of Sagunto to the north — which disrupts the natural dynamics of coastal currents and sediment transport along the shoreline.

What should visitors know before coming here?

Marjal dels Moros appeals above all to nature lovers and birdwatchers — the sheer diversity of species means there is always something to observe, though the migration seasons bring the greatest variety of birdlife. The flat terrain of the wetland makes for easy, unhurried walks and extended observation sessions, while its proximity to Sagunto and Puçol makes it easy to reach without straying far from the main tourist routes along the Valencian coast.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Marjal dels Moros located? The wetland lies on the Mediterranean coast, between the municipalities of Puçol and Sagunto, in the province of Valencia.

Is Marjal dels Moros a protected area? Yes — it holds ZEPA status (Special Protection Area for Birds), forms part of the Natura 2000 network, and includes a nature microreserve within its 620-hectare protected area.

Why is this site so important for birds? It lies on the migratory route between northern Europe and Africa, and more than 250 bird species have been recorded here using it for resting, feeding, or nesting.

What threats does the area face today? The main issue is coastal erosion, driven in part by the construction of the Port of Sagunto, which has altered natural current dynamics and led to the loss of part of the beach and the coastal barrier.