Torrevieja’s pink lake: where to see it, when it is pinkest, and what not to expect

Why it is pink

The Laguna de Torrevieja is one of two salt lagoons behind the town, 1,400 hectares of shallow water so salty that only a few organisms survive. Halophilic bacteria and the micro-alga Dunaliella salina produce red carotenoid pigments to protect themselves from the sun and salt; the hotter and saltier the water, the pinker it goes. The other lagoon, La Mata, is less salty and stays green. Both have produced salt since antiquity and still ship it from the harbour.

When to go

Late May to September for the strongest colour, mid-afternoon to golden hour for the light. After heavy rain the lagoon dilutes and fades to a pale rose for a week or two. In winter it is often more lilac-grey than pink; still beautiful with the flamingos, but manage expectations.

Where to see it

• The Los Montesinos shore. Drive the CV-945 towards Los Montesinos; lay-bys and a path along the western shore give the classic wide pink view with the town in the distance. Easiest for photos.
• From Torrevieja. The salt works at the edge of town, where the N-332 crosses the canal, and the path from the Parque Natural information point. Closer, more industrial.
• From above. The viewpoint on the CV-95 between the two lagoons shows pink one side, green the other.

Parking is informal roadside in all three; do not block the salt-works access.

Flamingos, the train and the natural park

Greater flamingos feed in both lagoons most of the year, closest to the paths in autumn and winter. The tourist train runs from the port through the salt works in season, about an hour, with a minimum number of passengers. The Parque Natural de las Lagunas de La Mata y Torrevieja has its visitor centre and the best walking trails on the La Mata (green) lagoon side.