Salt flats of Mallorca

Mallorca's salt marshes are more than just a pretty sight, as they play a vital role in protecting the island's environment. The saltwater wetlands serve to filter pollutants from local rivers and streams that would otherwise reach the ocean. The area also acts as a natural barrier to protect Mallorca's coastline from erosion and turbulent waters, keeping the beaches safe for tourists. For these reasons, it is important to take care when visiting them, as their fragile environment requires our respect.

The spectacular salt flats stretch for two kilometers, situated between two coasts separated by oceans of brine. Filled with an incredible abundance of life, they are the perfect habitat for a wide variety of avian species, including flocks of great flamingos, kingfishers, sandpipers and black-footed plovers. Many of the migratory species use the salt pans as a stopover point during their seasonal journeys along the African-European route. Along the shore cormorants can also be seen, with the colorful Audouin's gull and the elegant Eleonora's falcon often perched on the rocks or gliding in the sky. At sunset, the reserve offers a sumptuous show of splendor, with hundreds of herring gulls, yellow-legged gulls and terns flocking in from the sea for the night, while shaggy cormorants patrol the shallow waters in search of small fish.

To make the most of your visit to the salt flats, here's a guide to getting there. First of all, you have to go to Marratxí, a small town located in the west of Mallorca. Once in Marratxi, visitors can use one of the two main roads - the MA-20 or the MA-3321 - to reach the abra de ses salines. The abra de ses salines is the gateway to the salt pans, and there is ample parking near the entrance. Once parked, visitors can begin to explore the salt pans. Here you will find a huge expanse of flat, white terrain, bordered by rocky cliffs and low hills. Depending on the season, visitors may spot seasonal wildlife, such as flamingos, near the salt flats. Or they may come across coastal fishermen collecting sea fennel and eel. For a truly unique experience, travelers can opt to take a boat tour of the salt pans. Many operators in Mallorca offer boat tours of the salt pans, which usually include visits to three of the six salt pans.