Portugal is more ocean than land. Its maritime territory is 40 times bigger than the terrestrial one. In the Algarve, southern Portugal, the sea and all the aspects related to it are very present in history, gastronomy, economy, culture and everyday life. Algarve's salt, which used to be considered as the portuguese white gold, is a good example.
Algarve is responsible for the majority of Portugal's sea salt production. All around the region, but mainly in the eastern half of the Algarve, you can find different spots and activities related to the salt industry. Past and present.
It’s possible to find remains of roman salt pans used for the preservation of fish and for the making of garum. Garum was a fermented fish sauce made of blood, tuna and mackerel offal, small fish, crustaceans and it was left in brine for about two months. In Tavira, Olhão and Castro Marim you can find commercially active salterns.
The main types of salt produced in the Algarve are the Traditional Sea Salt and Flor de Sal. The Flor de Sal - the salt flower in english - is considered the queen of salt. This designation resulted from the form the crystals assumed on the surface of the water before becoming a compact. The layer is very thin, very easily disintegrated in the hand and needs special wind and sun conditions to be formed. Also, the water needs to be warm.
On sunny days it’s possible to walk through the salt pans, at the heart of Ria Formosa, do some birdwatching. Also, during the summer, in some places, you can try the experience of floating in a big lake with a salt concentration equivalent to that of the Dead Sea. Muscle relaxation and stress reduction are among the health benefits you can obtain from this bath.
See here some salt pans you can visit in East Algarve:
Salinas da Água Mãe in Castro Marim
Monday to Friday - 10:00 - 18:00
Saturday - 10:00 - 13:00