Pedra de Lume Salt Crater

Salinas de Pedra de Lume

Salt pans inside an ancient volcanic crater. The water is so salty that visitors can float as in the Dead Sea. The tunnel entrance and old salt cableway add to the historic feel.

The Pedra de Lume salt flats lie on the east coast of Sal, inside the crater of an extinct volcano. Seawater seeps through the rock into the crater, which lies below sea level, and evaporates to form large salt pans. From the 18th to the 20th century, this was the centre of Sal's salt industry, and its salt was exported to places such as Brazil. The island's name, Sal, which means salt in Portuguese, comes from this trade. To reach the salt lake, you pass through a tunnel cut through the crater wall. Beside the tunnel entrance, wooden cableway frames that once carried salt to the port are still preserved. Inside, the salt lake is divided into white and pink pools. Visitors can float in designated bathing pools. The salinity is said to be higher than that of the Dead Sea. After getting out, you can rinse off at the shower area, which costs extra. There are small restaurants and massage services nearby. Admission costs a few euros (prices may vary on site). Bring flip-flops and a towel, and avoid going into the water if you have any open wounds. It is about 30 minutes by car from Santa Maria and about 10 minutes from the capital, Espargos. It is often visited on a one-day island tour together with the Buracona Blue Eye spring and the Terra Boa desert mirage.

Pedra de Lume Salt Crater

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