Little Venice, Port Saplaya, Valencia
Little Venice, Port Saplaya, Valencia - Port Saplaya is locally known as "Little Venice" due to its colourful houses lining the waterways, In Valencian Port Sa Platja, means ‘harbour and its beach’
Port Saplaya is situated just north of Valencia (about 10 minutes by car), It is located in the eastern part of the municipality of Alboraya, about 5 km north from Playa de la Malvarrosa. Journey time from Benidorm is around 1hr 35 mins (145km)
Port Saplaya is a purpose built residential area which houses may holiday homes, apartments and villas.
It was built in the 70s and is famous for its colourful houses. It is very busy during the summer months but out of season it is wonderfully quiet, calm and peaceful.
The harbour area was created from a redundant sea port, the harbour has moorings surrounded by terraced houses painted in pastel colours, allowing the boat users to arrive at the doors of their houses
There are various inlets around the marina area all surrounded with the colourful houses and apartments, the marina, located at the centre of the development is only accessible on foot. These characteristics, together with the colour of the buildings, have earned it the nickname "little Venice".
There are 2 main squares (piazza) located at each end of the town are surrounded by shops, bars and restaurants offering local dishes and this is one of the best place to try horchata (horchata is a drink very similar to milk but it has a distinctive nutty taste, since it’s made from “chufa”, an edible tuba with similarities to both celery and nutmeg), traditional ice cream or tasty bocadillos de calamares with alioli sauce.
Plaza Major in the south zone and the Plaza de la Senyoria in the north zone, open at one side and surrounded by arches on the other three.
The whole village is pedestrian, surrounded by just one road, which permits Access to underground garages.
Little Venice, Port Saplaya, Valencia
THE BEACH
Port Saplaya also has two beaches which are separated by the entrance to the port, both are easily accessible and have various services
All along the beach front you will find plenty of bars and restaurants to sit and enjoy the sea breeze and the wonderful views
LENGTH: 475 meters
WIDTH: 45 meters / Lots of variation
COASTAL FACADE: Semiurban
ARENA: Golden Sand / Dark - Sand
FORM OF ACCESS: Easy walking / Car / Boat
PARKING: Yes / Unguarded / Between 50 and 100
BUS: Yes / Intercity (Line at 4 Km)
HOSPITAL: Clinical Hospital of Valencia 5 km away.
NUDISM: NO
TOILETS: NO
SHOWERS OR WASHES: YES
TRASH: YES
RENT HAMMOCKS/UMBRELLAS: NO
SPORTS AREA: YES
CHILDREN'S AREA: YES
RENTAL OR YACHT CLUB: YES
DIVING PRACTICE: NO
Fiestas
The festivities of Port Saplaya are dedicated to the Virgin of Carmen, patron saint of the navigators, and are held the second or third week of July, after the major festivities of Alboraya. Most of the activities take place around the Senyoria Square and the Luis Saiz Díaz promenade (north promenade), and include a Mass to Our Lady and a seafaring procession in her honour.
Little Venice, Port Saplaya, Valencia - History
Port Saplaya was built at the beginning of the 70s as a Project among a group of business people and local landowners near the beach at Alboraya. The area is well known for the drink, horchata, made from tiger nuts. To grow the nuts a special combination of soil and sand is needed.
Before the 70s the beach was difficult to access and was not really used despite being only 3 kilometres from Valencia.
The Project was inspired by similar designs on the Cote D’Azur in France and the Italian Riviera, mainly Port Grimaud in the gulf of Saint Tropez, building a harbour and docks surrounded by buildings where each owner could moor up beside his or her house.
The interior design was carried out by designer Agnès Borel, who was also responsible for designing a host of details on the site that give it its unique character. Most of the cast iron balconies seen on the houses are antiquities.
Getting to Port Saplaya from Benidorm
Obviously driving is the easiest option but you could take public transport to Valencia as there is ample free parking in the shopping centre nearby, plus plenty of free street parking.
The roads that access Port Saplaya are as follows:
| V-21 | North access to Valencia Une Valencia the A-7. |
| CV-311 | CV-311. Link Alboraya with Port Saplaya and V-21. |
From Valencia by public transport
Metro tube train to Rafelbunyol and then getting a bus or taxi from the station to the beach area.
There are local buses to Alboraya and Patacona which run every day hourly. There is also a seasonal bus service departing from Valencia.
The charm of the buildings around the canals, the gardens, the beach, and the friendliness of the locals all make this a place well worth a visit.
