Marjal de Pego-Oliva Natural Park, Nature park between Valencia and Alicante provinces, Spain
The Marjal de Pego-Oliva is a protected wetland reserve spread across a wide valley floor and framed by surrounding mountains. The area is crossed by rivers, natural springs, and a system of irrigation channels that distribute water to the rice fields around it.
The area gained official protection status in 1994 when it became a regional nature reserve and was later recognized under the Ramsar Agreement for international wetland conservation. This designation made it part of a global network of protected wetlands.
Local rice varieties grown in the surrounding fields reflect a farming tradition adapted to wetland conditions over many generations. This cultivation method shapes how the landscape looks and how people work the land today.
The best time to visit is in early morning or late afternoon when light is soft and many birds are active. Comfortable shoes and binoculars are useful for exploring the park and observing the wildlife.
The park contains natural thermal springs called ullals where underground water rises to the surface. These geothermal springs have fed the traditional irrigation channels that shape the landscape for centuries.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
