Are you looking for a unique plan that combines history, nature, and a touch of magic? Then get ready to discover one of Álava’s best-kept treasures: the Salinas de Añana Salt Valley. Just 30 km from Vitoria-Gasteiz, in the charming town of Salinas de Añana, lies one of the oldest industries in the world, with over 7,000 years of uninterrupted history producing salt!
A landscape that will leave you speechless
Imagine a A place where salt springs from the earth, creating a surreal landscape. The Salt Valley sits on a salt bubble that is the remnant of an ancient sea from 200 million years ago. And on this peculiar base, hundreds of generations of salt workers have built an astonishing network of thousands of evaporation platforms made of stone, wood, and clay. It’s a true open-air museum where the brine (salt water) that emerges naturally from the springs is poured onto these platforms so the sun can work its magic and evaporate the water, leaving behind the precious salt. All of this is distributed through an ingenious network of wooden channels that carry the water to every corner by gravity. It’s impressive to see how it works!
From tradition to excellence: Añana salt
After a somewhat complicated 20th century, the Valle Salado Foundation was founded in 2009 with a clear objective: to guarantee the future of this unique heritage. And they have achieved this spectacularly, keeping alive the salt workers’ millennia-old know-how. They use traditional and completely environmentally friendly techniques to produce salt of exceptional quality. In fact, it’s not just any salt; the Valle Salado offers five types of natural salts rich in trace elements, and they are endorsed by internationally renowned chefs! You can find Flor de Sal, Sal de Manantial, Chuzo de Sal, Sal Líquida, and Sal Fina. Ideal for taking home a delicious souvenir!
A visit for the whole family
But the Salt Valley is much more than just a salt mine. The Foundation has created an incredible visitor program so that we can all learn about and appreciate not only the Añana Salt Mine, but also its fascinating history and striking architecture. More than a million people have already walked its trails and fallen in love with the restoration project. And with good reason!
This site has received prestigious international recognition, such as the Grand Jury Prize of the Europa Nostra Awards in 2015 and being named Europe’s first Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) by the FAO in 2017. It is also part of UNESCO’s Tentative List for World Heritage and in 2019 received the “Anchor Point” designation from the European Network for Industrial Heritage (ERIH), which considers it a site of “exceptional importance.” One more reason to visit and feel part of something so special!
And much more around…
And if you thought Salinas de Añana was just its salt factory, you’re wrong! This town is the gateway to Valdegovía and the Valderejo Natural Park, a perfect place to continue enjoying nature. The area also has important medieval and modern archaeological remains that are being studied and recovered, adding a touch of mystery and history to your visit.
To round off the day, we recommend taking a pleasant 10.9 km walk (a great plan for hiking lovers!) to the Torre Palacio de los Varona. It’s the only fortress in Álava that still preserves its moat and, most surprisingly, it’s still been inhabited by direct descendants of the family since the 12th century! A journey back in time that perfectly complements a visit to the Salt Valley.
Ready for an unforgettable salty adventure? Don’t hesitate and arrange your visit or find more information on the Valle Salado website.
Practical Information
- Visitor Reception Center Calle Real, 42 – 01426 Añana
- Tel. +34 945 351 111
- reservas@vallesalado.com
- www.vallesalado.com
