Near Torrevieja in Spain you will find pink lakes. Torrevieja is a town an hour’s drive from Alicante.
Where are the salt lakes of Torrevieja?
The Spanish salt lakes are located near Torrevieja on the south-eastern Costa Blanca. They are part of the 3700 hectare Torrevieja National Park (Parque Natural de Torrevieja).
Laguna Salada de Torrevieja (Laguna Rosa) is pink and is the largest, measuring around 1,400 hectares. The next lake is Laguna Salada de Mata, which is green and is half the size, measuring around 700 hectares.
Torrevieja is now the centre of the national salt industry. Commercially grown for more than 200 years, Torrevieja’s salt is exported all over the world. Today, annual production exceeds one million tonnes.
Nevertheless, it is a renewable resource. This is because the lakes are connected to the Mediterranean Sea by a network of canals and thus the water is constantly replenished.
How do you get to Torrevieja’s pink lake?
If you are staying in Torrevieja, the easiest way to get to the Torrevieja salt lakes is by bus or bicycle.
By bus | From Torrevieja bus station on Calle del Mar, hop on a B bus towards Torretas and get off at Calle Urano in the Torretas III district.
By bike | Head towards Calle Sol in the Torretas III district and follow the road until you see a path leading down through an opening in the fence and down to the lake.
By car | There are free parking spaces along Calle Sol and Calle Venus in the Torretas III district. We parked at the junction of Calle Venus and Calle Luna.
Where is the entrance to the pink lake in Spain?
Well, the simple answer to that is that it does not exist as such. There is only an ugly metal fence around the perimeter of the Laguna Rosa with gaps that allow access from time to time. You can spot the trampled paths and it’s not that difficult to trace the access routes to the lagoon.
The best time to visit Torrevieja’s pink lake?
Most of the time Laguna Rosa Spain is described as a salmon or bubble gum colour. But sometimes it can have an unpleasant brownish tinge, depending on the amount of light. This is because bacteria and algae are more active in sunlight.
That’s why the best time to visit Torrevieja’s pink lake is on a bright, sunny day. Fortunately, there is no shortage of this in this part of Spain. Especially during the summer months from June to September, when the sun shines for up to 10 hours a day.
If it’s really sunny, you can even see Torrevieja’s pink lake giving off a deeper colour of magenta, fuchsia and even purple.
Why is a salt lake in Spain pink?
The reason why Laguna Rosa Spain is pink is because the water contains an unusual type of microorganism called halobacteria. And an unusual variety of algae called Dunaliella salina. Both thrive in a rich saline environment and are naturally pink in colour.
The tiny creatures called saltwater brine shrimps (Artemia salina Crustaceans) turn pink by feeding on algae and bacteria. Which, in turn, becomes a food source for flamingos and is responsible for the pinkish colour of their feathers.
If you’ve ever seen a baby flamingo, you know it’s not pink. In fact, they have a greyish colour. The pink colouration develops later in life due to their specialised diet.
Where are the flamingos?
In theory, flamingos in Torrevieja’s salt lakes should appear from February to July. However, you are most likely to see them during the breeding season from March to May.
Why aren’t you allowed to swim?
In addition to the active cultivation of salt on parts of Torrevieja’s pink lake, there is also a delicate ecosystem. The bacteria and algae responsible for the colour of the water are extremely rare and are easily affected by chemicals and foreign substances.
Therefore, to preserve the delicate balance of Torrevieja’s salt lakes, swimming in them is strictly prohibited. By doing so, you risk introducing substances such as soaps and sun creams. Not to mention a fine of up to €6,000 if you are caught.
Touring the pink lakes
If you like to enjoy organised excursions from the city centre. Take the train and enjoy the Salinas de Torrevieja on a journey lasting just over an hour. Dare to discover the salt produced in the Natural Park of La Mata and Torrevieja lagoons and its distinctive enclaves: the unique pink lagoon, ancient chemical crystallisers and huge mountains of salt, as well as all the flora and fauna.
At the end of the trip, you can buy salt products in the shop.
Departures are organised from Paseo de la Libertad located in the centre of the municipality of Torrevieja. The train will leave with a minimum of 6 people.
Departure times:
April:
(Monday closed except Mondays 18 and 25)
11:00, 12:15, 13:30, 17:00, 18:30*
May:
(Monday closed)
11:00, 12:15, 13:30, 16:30, 18:00, 19:30*
From 1-15 June
(Monday 6 and 13 closed)
11:00, 12:15, 13:30 / 16:30, 18:00, 19:30*
From 16-30 June, July and August:
10:00, 11:30, 13:00, 17:00, 17:45, 18:30, 19:15, 20:00
1-18 September:
(Monday 5-12 closed)
11:00, 12:15, 13:30, 16:30, 18:00, 19:30^*
19 September-02 October:
(Mondays 19-26 closed)
11:00, 12:15, 13:30, 16:30, 17:45, 19:00*
* Depending on the hours of sunshine.
04-29 October:
(Monday closed, expect 31)
11:00, 12:15,13:30/ 16:30, 18:00*
30-31 October:
11:00, 12:15,13:30/ 16:00 *17:00
*There may be an increase in train frequency depending on sunlight.
01-30 November:
(Wednesday 02 and Monday 07-14-21 and 28 closed)
11:00, 12:15, 13:30/ 16:00 *17:00
*There may be an increase in train frequency depending on sunlight.
December:
(Monday 05-12 and 19 closed. We will also be closed on the 25th Christmas Day)
11:00, 12:15, 13:30/ 16:00 *17:00
*There may be an increase in train frequency depending on sunlight.
Individual rates:
Adults: €8.95
Children (2 to 12 years): 7,95 €
Over 65 years: 7,95 €
Family price (2 adults and 2 children): 29,90 €
Additional surcharge per child: 5,95 €
Prices for groups *: Groups (19 and over): 6,95 €
Advance booking will be necessary. Tickets can be purchased on the same train.
So info:
