Cloudy · 18° · Maestral 4 km/h · Rises 07:26 Sets 18:07 · Waning gibbous rises 21:45 ·
EN
EspañolEnglishDeutschFrançais
 Sign in Add your business

Salinas de Marchamalo

★★★★★5,0· 4 reviews on this website La Manga · km 2
Marchamalo salt pans at sunset, La Manga del Mar MenorPath between the ponds of the Salinas de MarchamaloPonds of the Salinas de Marchamalo at sunsetOld Salinera Catalana building at the Salinas de MarchamaloWater ponds at Salinas de Marchamalo, southern La Manga

Salt pans and flamingos at the southern tip of La Manga

Las Salinas de Marchamalo is a former salt-producing area of almost 200 hectares at the southern tip of La Manga del Mar Menor, very close to Cabo de Palos and within the municipality of Cartagena. Its ponds and wetlands beside the lagoon form one of the few places in La Manga where birds, rather than the beach, take centre stage.

Birds and wildlife

Flamingos are often seen, especially when the pans have water. Alongside them are black-winged stilts, avocets, herons and other waders. The water of the pans is also home to the fartet, a small fish found only in south-east Iberia and in danger of extinction.

An area with several forms of protection

Beside the beach at Las Amoladeras, the salt flats form a protected natural area. They are included in the Natura 2000 network as a Site of Community Importance and Special Protection Area, are a Specially Protected Area of Mediterráneo Importance, and belong to the Mar Menor Ramsar wetland. The Asociación de Naturalistas del Sureste (ANSE) is working to restore traditional salt production to improve wetland biodiversity.

Before you go

Access is free; please keep to the paths and do not disturb the wildlife. It goes well with a visit to Las Amoladeras or to the Cabo de Palos lighthouse, and there are more ideas in what to see in La Manga.

What's on offer

Services

  • Visit independently
  • Public access

Frequently asked questions

Where are the salt flats in La Manga?

At the southern tip of La Manga del Mar Menor, very close to Cabo de Palos and the beach at Las Amoladeras, in the municipality of Cartagena.

Can you see flamingos at Salinas de Marchamalo?

They are often seen, especially when the pans have water, together with black-winged stilts, avocets and herons.

What protection do the salt flats have?

They are in the Natura 2000 network (SCI and SPA), are a SPAMI and form part of the Mar Menor Ramsar wetland.

Can you visit freely?

Yes. Access is free, provided you stay on the paths and do not disturb the birds.

Reviews

Latest 4 of 4

The 5,0 average comes solely from reviews left on Viviendo La Manga. We don't import ratings from Google or any other platform.

  • R Rosario18 June 2025 ★★★★★

    The salt flats with flamingos in the background are picture-perfect. Nature at its purest

    Report this review

    Tell us what's wrong with this review and we'll check it. Reports don't remove reviews automatically: a person reviews each one.

    Reason
  • L Lourdes31 December 2024 ★★★★★

    A beautiful place for a walk and sunset.

    Report this review

    Tell us what's wrong with this review and we'll check it. Reports don't remove reviews automatically: a person reviews each one.

    Reason
  • M Marina29 December 2024 ★★★★★

    The recently created path around the salt flats makes it easier to walk and enjoy this unique place. At sunset it looks like another planet, and you can see flamingos really close up. Brilliant.

    Report this review

    Tell us what's wrong with this review and we'll check it. Reports don't remove reviews automatically: a person reviews each one.

    Reason
  • H Helmut9 September 2024 ★★★★★

    Beautiful salt flats, wonderful for birdwatching and photography. Peaceful and distinctive

    Report this review

    Tell us what's wrong with this review and we'll check it. Reports don't remove reviews automatically: a person reviews each one.

    Reason

Leave a review

We review it before publication to prevent spam.

Similar places nearby