Ullal de Baldoví

Ullal de Baldoví is a natural freshwater spring rising from the ground in the municipality of Sueca, in the province of Valencia. It lies within the Albufera Natural Park, right beside the small hill known as Muntanyeta dels Sants, and belongs to a select group of local springs called "ullals" — groundwater outlets that have fed the surrounding wetlands and rice fields with clean water for centuries.

What exactly is an ullal?

The word "ullal" comes from Valencian and literally means "eye," referring to a spot where groundwater reaches the surface and forms a small, usually rounded pool. Unlike the main body of the Albufera lagoon, which is fed mostly by surface runoff and rainwater, ullals draw their water directly from underground aquifers, which makes them noticeably clearer and cooler than the surrounding wetland.

How big is Ullal de Baldoví?

It ranks among the largest and most significant springs of its kind in the entire park. The central pool covers an area of several thousand square meters, and at its deepest points, where water actually emerges from the bottom, depth reaches several meters. The spring's discharge has been measured at well over a hundred liters per second, at times exceeding two hundred, making it one of the most powerful groundwater outlets in the Albufera area.

Why does it matter ecologically?

Thanks to a constant supply of clean, oxygen-rich groundwater, Ullal de Baldoví has managed to preserve plant and animal species that have all but vanished from the rest of the Albufera wetlands due to pollution and decades of agricultural transformation. Among them are native freshwater crustaceans, freshwater mussels, and the endangered samaruc (Valencia hispanica) — a small fish endemic to the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula and one of the flagship species for conservation efforts in the Valencia region.

What happened to it over the years?

For decades the area surrounding the spring suffered heavy human alteration — land reclamation, farming, and tourist pressure all took a toll on the local ecosystem. That changed with the European LIFE-Ullals project, which carried out an ecological restoration of the site: invasive species were removed, native aquatic and riparian vegetation was reintroduced, and animal species that had disappeared from the area were brought back.

What can visitors expect today?

Ullal de Baldoví is accessible via a marked nature trail that winds through the surrounding wetlands and vegetation. Along the way sits a small observation point, from which visitors can quietly take in the water and the plant life around it without disturbing local wildlife. It's a contemplative walk rather than an active one — best enjoyed outside peak tourist season, when the wider Albufera area is quieter.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Ullal de Baldoví located? In the municipality of Sueca, within the Albufera Natural Park, next to the Muntanyeta dels Sants hill.

Can you swim in Ullal de Baldoví? No — it's a protected natural area with a fragile ecosystem, so swimming and entering the water are not permitted in practice.

How is an ullal different from the rest of the Albufera lagoon? An ullal is fed directly by groundwater rising from underground aquifers, making it clearer and cooler than the shallow, surface-fed lagoon around it.

What species can be found here? Notably the endangered samaruc fish, along with native freshwater crustaceans and mussels that have become rare elsewhere in the Albufera.