Torrevieja salt lakes

Just north-east of the resorts, the Torrevieja lagoon glows pink, brightest in late summer and at sunset. The colour comes from the microalga Dunaliella salina in the hypersaline water and the brine shrimp that feed on it. It is part of the Lagunas de La Mata y Torrevieja natural park, one of Europe’s important wetlands at around 3,700 hectares.

It is a working salt operation as well as a nature reserve, so you see white salt mountains alongside flamingos and other waterbirds. Walk the perimeter tracks; swimming in the lagoons is not allowed.