Dear friends, if you have ever seen photos of Torrevieja, you have probably noticed the incredible pink lake that looks as if it came from another planet. This is not Photoshop or a rare whim of nature — it is one of the main attractions of the city and, without exaggeration, part of its character. Let's figure out what these lagoons are, why one of them is pink and the other green, and how all this is connected to the health and amazing microclimate of Torrevieja.
The city is actually squeezed between the Mediterranean Sea and two large salt lakes. Together they form a protected area — Parque Natural de las Lagunas de La Mata y Torrevieja, the largest salt deposit in Europe. Salt has been mined and exported here since the 13th–14th centuries, once supplying more than half of Europe.
The names of the lakes are determined by the color of the water. Laguna Rosa (pink lagoon) is located closer to the city and really changes shade — from delicate pink, sometimes almost imperceptible, to rich raspberry. The second, Laguna de La Mata, is considered green, although it rarely justifies its name. It is there that the Centro de Interpretación — the park center — is located, where you can learn about its nature.
Interestingly, both lagoons operate as a single salt mining system: Lake La Mata serves as a reservoir from which water flows into the pink lagoon of Torrevieja, where the salt "matures" and is then extracted. The lakes are connected to the sea by artificial channels — this is part of a centuries-old technology.
The most common question is where this fairy-tale color comes from. The answer lies in microscopic life. In water with an extreme salt concentration, only special organisms survive: the unicellular microalga Dunaliella salina and halophilic bacteria-archaea (halobacteria). To protect itself from the blazing sun and high salinity, the alga produces the pigment beta-carotene — the very same that gives carrots their color. It is this pigment that colors the water in pink-red tones.
The picture is completed by a tiny crustacean Artemia salina — it is also reddish and feeds on these algae. Together they create a unique ecosystem in which the main star of the park — the pink flamingos — thrive, as well as dozens of species of migratory and nesting birds, many of which are endangered.
This is really important for those thinking about living in Torrevieja. The two salt lagoons surrounding the city, together with the pine forests around them, create a special microclimate — the air here is literally saturated with salt. The World Health Organization has recognized it as one of the healthiest in Europe.
The secret is a combination of factors: evaporation from the salt lakes, sea breeze, pine groves, and — importantly — the absence of large industry nearby. As a result, Torrevieja enjoys an enviable ecological environment and a mild, stable climate almost year-round. For people with respiratory problems, this destination often becomes a conscious choice rather than just a resort.
The salty waters of the lagoon have long been associated with healing. It is believed that the high concentration of salt and minerals has a beneficial effect on the skin — easing conditions such as psoriasis, and also helping with joint and respiratory diseases. Mineral-rich mud is sometimes used in spa treatments and, according to reviews, has therapeutic properties.
Due to the density of the salty water here, as in the Dead Sea, it is easy to float — the depth is small. It is worth noting, of course, that a significant part of this information relies on many years of folk experience and observations rather than strict clinical studies. Nevertheless, interest in the lagoon's healing potential is so great that regional plans discuss creating a wellness and spa complex near the pink lake — with mud baths, salt therapy, and relaxation zones, but with careful respect for the fragile ecological balance.
The lagoons are not just a beautiful picture for photographs. For city residents, it is daily healing air, a rare natural environment literally at their doorstep, and a powerful magnet for tourists, supporting both the rental market and the overall attractiveness of the location. The natural park with its flamingos, salt lakes, and pine trails is the very lifestyle for which many Europeans choose the Costa Blanca.
In other words, buying property in Torrevieja means getting not only square meters by the sea but also a healthy microclimate recognized at the European level and a natural gem to admire every day.
View the property catalog from ARE
Alicante Real Estate — your guide to property and lifestyle on the Costa Blanca.
Our manager will contact you shortly
We will call you back soon
Subscribe to our telegram channel, be the first to know how interesting it is to spend time in Spain and new restaurant criticism from our expert. +34638358515
Comments