Ses Salines Natural Park

Ses Salines Natural Park stretches across the southern tip of Ibiza and reaches over to neighboring Formentera, covering both a strip of land and the sea channel between the two islands. It's one of the most distinctive landscapes in the Balearic archipelago — a mosaic of shallow salt ponds, dunes, pine groves and salt marshes that has served people for thousands of years and today shelters hundreds of animal and plant species.

Where did the salt flats come from?

Salt extraction here dates back to Phoenician times, around the 6th century BC. Over the following centuries, the resource passed through the hands of Carthaginians, Romans, the Muslim rulers of Ibiza, and later the Christian kingdoms that took control of the island. Production intensified notably during the 12th and 13th centuries, when salt became one of the pillars of the local economy. It was a valuable commodity because it allowed food to be preserved for long periods, so it traveled by sea to distant Mediterranean ports.

Salt that helped build a city

Revenue from the Ses Salines salt trade had a tangible impact on Ibiza's development — proceeds from salt sales helped finance the construction of the defensive walls of Dalt Vila, the historic fortified old town of the island's capital, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. For centuries the salt ponds remained one of the main sources of wealth for the island's inhabitants, with the extracted salt exported across the Mediterranean.

How did its protected status evolve?

The area's ecological value was formally recognized relatively recently. In 1995 it was designated a Nature Reserve, and in 2001 it was upgraded to the status of Ses Salines de Ibiza y Formentera Natural Park, strengthening the legal protection of its habitats and species. The area also falls within the territory recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage, alongside Ibiza's old town and the coastal ecosystems surrounding it.

What can visitors see in the park?

The park covers roughly 3,000 hectares of land and a further 13,000 hectares of sea stretching between Ibiza and Formentera. That makes it one of the largest protected areas in the Balearics, combining terrestrial and marine environments into a single ecological system. More than 210 bird species and nearly 180 plant species have been recorded within its boundaries, making it an important stop on the region's birdwatching map — especially during migration seasons.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Ses Salines Natural Park located? The park sits at the southern tip of Ibiza and extends toward Formentera, also covering the sea channel between the two islands.

How long has salt been extracted here? Evidence of salt exploitation dates back to Phoenician times, around the 6th century BC, and production continued uninterrupted through successive civilizations up to the present day.

When was the area granted legal protection? It was designated a Nature Reserve in 1995 and received full natural park status in 2001.

How large is the park? It covers about 3,000 hectares of land and 13,000 hectares of coastal sea.

Can you go birdwatching in the park? Yes, more than 210 bird species have been recorded here, making Ses Salines one of the more important birdwatching sites in the Balearic Islands.