The pink lakes of Torrevieja
- Driving time
- About 15 minutes by car
- Area
- Vega Baja
- Sight
The pink lakes are the Laguna de Torrevieja and the Laguna de La Mata, two salt lakes in a nature park, and the lagoon is about a 15 minute drive from Lago Rosa Apartment.
The colour is not a filter. According to the Valencian regional tourist board and NASA's Earth Observatory, the pink comes from Dunaliella salina, a microscopic alga that lives in very salty water. To protect itself from the sun it produces beta-carotene, the same kind of pigment you find in carrots. The colour is strongest in summer.
Together the two lakes form a protected area of around 3,700 hectares, and salt is still harvested here. You can see the white salt mountains from far away. More than a hundred bird species breed or winter in the park, with flamingos the best known, alongside black-winged stilts and shelducks. The signposted walks and viewing points let you watch them at your own pace.
Our tip: take the little train
The tourist train runs through the park and stops at the pink lagoon and the salt mountains. You board by Torrevieja harbour, on the seafront.
Our tip: add the market
There is a market in La Mata on Wednesdays, on Avenida de Francia. Afterwards, walk along the lake on that side, where there are cycle paths too.
Finding out more
The park office is in the Casa Forestal at La Mata. You can send questions to parque_lamata@gva.es.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the lake at Torrevieja pink?
The colour comes from the micro-alga Dunaliella salina, which produces beta-carotene in the very salty water to protect itself from the sun.
When is the pink at its best?
The colour is strongest in summer. How vivid it looks varies by day and by spot along the shore.
Will I see flamingos?
Flamingos are regulars in the park. They are not in the same spot every day, so allow time and walk to a viewing point.
