A light emitting element includes: a semiconductor structure including: a substrate, an n-side nitride semiconductor layer located on the substrate, and a p-side nitride semiconductor layer located on the n-side nitride semiconductor layer, wherein a p-side nitride semiconductor side of the semiconductor structure is a light extraction face side, and an n-side nitride semiconductor side of the semiconductor structure is a mounting face side; a first protective layer located on and in direct contact with an upper face of the p-side nitride semiconductor layer in a region corresponding to the peripheral portion of the p-side nitride semiconductor layer; and a current diffusion layer located on and in direct contact with an upper face of the p-side nitride semiconductor layer in a region corresponding to the area inside of the peripheral portion. The current diffusion layer does not overlap the first protective layer in a top view.