Point of interest
Parc Natural de Ses Salines
in Ibiza, Spain
Protected nature park of salt flats, dunes and pine woods in the island's south; its sunsets over the salt pans are among the most photographed.
Where it is
In the south of Ibiza, between the island and Formentera, including the sea strait that separates them.
What it is
The park takes in salt ponds, dunes, pine woods, wetlands and some of the island's finest beaches, including Ses Salines and Es Cavallet. It is an important resting and breeding ground for birds such as flamingos and is well suited to walking, cycling and birdwatching. The blend of nature, history and beaches makes it one of Ibiza's most rewarding places to visit.
History
The salt pans have been worked since Phoenician and Carthaginian times and were a key economic driver for the island for thousands of years. In 1995 the area was declared a nature reserve, and in 2001 it was protected as the Ses Salines de Ibiza y Formentera Natural Park. The Posidonia seagrass meadows in the marine reserve have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.