Exploring the Salt Flats of Lanzarote

If you’re stuck for things to do whilst in Lanzarote, visiting the largest salt pan in the Canary Islands is definitely a trip to add to your list.

Located about 10km North of Playa Blanca, Salinas de Janubio, is a working salt manufacturer with a rich history and thought of as one of the most important salt production plans in the world. It’s easily spotted from the main LZ-2 road between Uga and Playa Blanca and can be accessed via the road to El Golfo.

This tranquil spot offers visitors a calming vista, and a gift shop and bar where you can sit back and relax for an hour during your exploration of the island. The Salinas itself can be found behind a black volcanic beach, known as Playa de Janubio, that is popular with both locals and tourists. The contrast of the black sands against the mounds of white salt is quite striking, and at sunset you’re in for a treat as the pools of salt water light up under the golden Lanzarote skies. This makes for a perfect photo opportunity for your social media feeds or personal memories.

There is a 90 minute guided tour where you can discover the authentic production of the ‘White Gold’ of Lanzarote. For anyone interested in the history of Lanzarote the tour is highly recommended, during which you can learn about when they were built, the services provided to the local fishing industries to aid with the preservation of catches and the importance of tourism during more recent years. You’ll also witness some of the original architecture of the working salt farm, although some of the windmills have become victims of the weather they still stand tall as a reminder of times before us.

Construction of the Salinas de Janubio dates back to 1895, where the idea to take advantage of the natural lagoon was realised. The area was originally a port that served the southern area of Lanzarote which was destroyed during the Timanfaya eruptions during the 18th Century. The eruptions created a lagoon which went on to product over 10,000 tons of salt.

To this day, the salt is still produced using natural methods of salt water and heat from the Canarian Sunshine. It employs over 100 people on the island and is still the leading production site of salt in the Canary Islands.

The on-site Bodega sells a range of different salts, from plain sea salt to flavoured salts including Red Mojo, Sweet Paprika, Crushed Chilli and more - all made fresh right here in Lanzarote. The small shop also offers visitors a choice of Lanzarote wines, Beers and other local produce.

For bird watchers and enthusiasts, the Salinas is a great place to spend a few hours - with up to 70 different species of migratory birds being catalogued the area has been designated a special protection area for birds. You might even spot a flamingo or two!

From time to time you may notice that the different salt pans take on a different colour, with maybe a hint of pink or red. This is due to a small red crustacean, the brine shrimp, that feeds on the algae in the water.

Just around the corner you’ll find a stunning restaurant with breathtaking views over the salt pans. The Mirador de Las Salinas is the perfect place to enjoy a meal, with a glass of Lanzarote wine, as the sun sets over the waters of the salt pans of from Salinas de Janubio.

Of course, Salinas de Janubio isn’t the only salt production farm in Lanzarote, although it is by far the largest and most popular and many others either no longer produce salt or produce very little quantities. The oldest salt flats in the Canary Islands, that date back to the 15th Century, can also be found in Lanzarote and provide us with a reminder of just how important salt production has been, and still is, as a leading export product of the island.

Although there are no organised excursions that specifically visit the Salinas de Janubio, many will travel past it, providing you with the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the area and maybe get a photo or two. It’s easy to get to by car, bike, taxi and bus by catching the Number 60 bus from Puerto del Carmen or Playa Blanca. For anyone feeling up to it, there is a stunning path that follows the west coast of the island up from Playa Blanca. The path is fairly easy to walk, but expect it to take an hour or two depending on ability - and remember to take lots of water and sun protection.