Parc Natural de Las Lagunas de La Mata y Torrevieja — Attraction in Torrevieja

I visited Parc Natural de la Mata in January 2024, and it was one of the main highlights of my trip to Torrevieja – though getting there was an adventure in itself! 😭

After seeing photos on social media of the famous pink salt lake with flamingos, I was incredibly excited to visit. On Google Maps it appeared to be a 45-minute walk from where I was staying, which I thought would be fine under the mild Spanish winter sun. How wrong I was – and honestly, what on earth is going on with Google Maps? 😩 My route ended up taking me along the edge of busy highways 😱 over a rather nerve-wracking bridge 😱 and through areas that really didn’t feel pedestrian-friendly.

After surviving that stretch, I passed through some residential streets, only to find the green verge leading up to the park rather spoilt by an unfortunate abundance of dog mess 💩 Not the most charming welcome 👎

But once I actually entered the park, all was forgiven. Parc Natural de la Mata is a haven for wildlife, especially migratory birds, and the landscape here is wonderfully expansive – wide open stretches of wild vegetation, serene walking trails, and views that feel both raw and peaceful 💕

While the famous lake had only a blush of pink during my winter visit, and there were no flamingos in sight, I later learnt that the vibrant pink hues are at their strongest in summer, and flamingos are more likely to be present. Even without those Insta-perfect touches, the scenery was unique and captivating, unlike any other nature reserve I’ve visited.

If you’re visiting Torrevieja, Parc Natural de la Mata is absolutely worth seeing – but if you’re not driving, I’d strongly recommend researching the safest walking or cycling route, or arranging a taxi, to avoid my “highway-hopping” experience. 😭 Come in summer if you want the pink lake and flamingos, but at any time of year, the park’s natural beauty makes it a place...

As lovely as ever. All the grapetrees are hacked back to about 20 inches off the floor. They look like small blackened stumps and it amazes me each year when I see them develop into small but grape bearing shrubs weighed down with the grapes. I love this walk which only takes about half an hour. In May you see these blackened stumps have grown leaves, in July you can see the bunches of grapes growing, in Sept. Oct. The grapes are harvested.. Then the shrubs are cut back and tended ready for the next year. Apart from this you have wonderful views of the lake, all the flamingos when they are resident and healthy country air to breath. That is why I walk this way often...

So, those who complain about the lack of pink its all to do with the algae and bacteria balance and stress its under. Right now its low, so not too pink. Also brighter sun is good. Tip for taking pictures is to press water part of photo frame so camera or phone focuses on this and not the people. Brings it up pinker. Sad to see a lot of folk bathing and disrespecting - they are killing the algae... theres a reason for this restriction. Very beautiful place. Look for San Luis residence turn off on road near Mercadona supermarket... fir roadside...