Salinas between Lagoon, Mountains and Iberian Heritage

Salinas between Lagoon, Mountains and History

Salinas combines a distinctive landscape with tangible traces of bygone eras. Laguna de Salinas is a landlocked saltwater lagoon in the province of Alicante, located approximately 2 km from the centre of Salinas. It is under municipal responsibility and enjoys a certain degree of protection. Sierra de la Sima offers a viewpoint over the Sierra de Salinas. The 868-metre-high Alto de Don Pedro is designated as a ZEPA, that is, a special protection area for birds; its mammalian fauna includes, among others, badgers, genets and stone martens.

Culture and Iberian Heritage

The Museo Municipal Salinas Lugar Viejo brings aspects of local life to light. These include reproductions and original works by the local painter Juan Gabriel Barceló, as well as themed information panels. Admission is free when an appointment has been arranged in advance with the town hall. The Iglesia de San Antonio Abad also tells part of the town’s history: it was built after the flood of 1751 and inaugurated in 1755.

El Puntal is particularly multifaceted. The Iberian settlement from the 5th and 4th centuries BC lies in the Sierra de los Altos de Don Pedro and is considered the most important Iberian settlement in Alto Vinalopó. Its remains point to a pronounced trading character. Preserved features include sections of defensive walls and towers, rectangular and square dwellings, and around 37 graves. An Iberian settlement also stood on the Finca Casa de la Molineta around the 5th century BC; it served to exploit the resources of the lagoon.

Trails, Landscapes and Regional Experiences

Several routes combine natural and cultural themes. The Salinas–Monóvar circular route can be walked or cycled and passes Laguna, Alto de Don Pedro and the Iberian archaeological site of El Puntal. The Salinas–Alto de Don Pedro–Pinoso route crosses Alto de Don Pedro and passes the architectural heritage of Salinas’s country houses. Several short hiking trails through the municipality of Salinas begin at Parque Casica Mataix. The park is also an educational botanical area where visitors can learn to distinguish between different types of trees.

For an easier nature outing, Cueva del Lagrimal lies at the western end of the Sierra de Salinas. The route there is an easy, adaptable hiking trail suitable for families. Centro Ecuestre Yeguada de Salinas offers horse hire, horseback rides, carriage hire, riding lessons, dressage and hippotherapy. Bodega Finca Collado in Salinas complements this selection with wine tourism experiences, including picnics among the vineyards and guided tours of the winery.

Salt, Festivals and Green Retreats

Fábrica de la Sal was originally a magnesium factory and later became a saltworks where around one hundred people worked. The salt trade provided substantial support to the population of Salinas. During a visit, you can see the historic monument, Laguna de Salinas, the ruins of mills and pumping wells, as well as basins, washing areas and irrigation channels. Acueducto de la Casa de la Molineta consists of irregular blocks of stone and mortar forming a series of arches. An irrigation channel runs along the top, carrying water from the Finca to Casa Plaza on the lagoon’s southwestern edge.

Ermita Nueva de San Isidro is a small building constructed at the end of the 1990s. It is surrounded by approximately 60,000 square metres of pine forest and offers views across the municipality of Salinas and its surrounding area. Parque Forestal La Térmica consists mainly of a pine stand covering around 10,000 square metres and is considered an example of reforestation. As an equipped recreational area, it includes tables, barbecue facilities, a children’s area, a large picnic area and walking paths.

The festival calendar is also part of the local character. Romería de San Isidro takes place on 15 May, travelling from Iglesia de San Antonio Abad to Ermita Nueva and including, among other things, an open-air Mass and a giant paella prepared for visitors. Danzas Populares de Salinas are part of the May festivals; according to the tourism presentation, they have been danced since time immemorial. When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore consider different priorities: Iberian history, the lagoon and mountains, short routes in nature, equestrian experiences, wine or local festivals.

More destinations

If you would like to compare additional destinations for your planning alongside Salinas: La Romana, Finestrat, Alicante, Benigembla, Algorfa, El Moncayo, Penàguila, Santa Clara.

For the higher-level travel overview: Alicante.