Abandoned Salt Tunnels on the Spanish Coast

Where seawater was pumped into the tunnels. Dr Alan P Newman (Atlas Obscura User)

The canal that fed the evaporation pans. Dr Alan P Newman (Atlas Obscura User)

Close up of the canal entrance. Dr Alan P Newman (Atlas Obscura User)

One of the two tunnel branches. Dr Alan P Newman (Atlas Obscura User)

Look for the information board near the traffic circle for the beach entrance to the tunnels. Dr Alan P Newman (Atlas Obscura User)

Headland where the tunnels were bored (near the white building, top centre). Dr Alan P Newman (Atlas Obscura User)

At one time, the salt business along the coast of Puerto de Mazarrón in southern Spain was a thriving enterprise, reaching its peak in the early 20th century. In order to get clean seawater, the manufacturers needed to avoid the beach itself, so they tunneled through a rocky headland to reach deeper, where it would be sediment-free. Those tunnels, now abandoned, are still walkable today.

Back when las salinas (the saltworks) were in use, the water was pumped in and linked to a canal, then channeled onto evaporation pans where the heat of the sun did the job, drying up the H₂O and leaving behind high-quality sal de marina. You could call it one of the earliest solar-powered businesses.

Back in the days of pumping and drying, the machinery could be heard up and down the beach, earning the rocky point its nickname of “Pim-Pam.” Today the pumps and pans are long-gone, and all that remains are the tunnels and the first section of the old canal. Hand-harvested Spanish sea salt still makes its way into specialty and gourmet shops. In fact, Pim-Pam might make a good label.

Know Before You Go

The old salt tunnels are along the beach just off the traffic circle at Av. D. José Alarcón Palacios and Via Axial, on the west side of Mazarrón. There is an information board at the break in the fence to guide you to the right spot.