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Historical Salt Pans of Pedra de Lume

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Historical Salt Pans of Pedra de Lume (Cape Verde)

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The historical salt pans of Pedra de Lume are located inside the crater of an extinct volcano on the island of Sal. Salt extraction in this area began in the 18th century after the discovery of the site's natural evaporation properties. In 1804, a tunnel was excavated through the crater wall to facilitate the transport of salt to the nearby coast, revolutionizing the local economy. The water in the pans is approximately 27 times saltier than typical seawater, allowing people to float effortlessly on the surface. For many years, salt was the primary export of Sal island, with large-scale production continuing until the mid-20th century. Today, the site is a major cultural and geological landmark, showcasing the industrial heritage of the Cape Verdean archipelago. Visitors can explore the remains of the wooden cable car system that once transported salt bags over the crater rim. The combination of industrial ruins and the stark volcanic landscape makes it a unique testament to the island's economic past.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Mar–May.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C222121222223242626262523
Rain mm2523885473044232742

📋 Practical info

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Visiting
The historical salt pans of Pedra de Lume inside a volcanic crater can be visited. You can walk on the dry salt and old basins and admire the bizarre landscape.
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Typical hours
The site is typically open during the day, often from sunrise to sunset. It is advisable to check exact opening times before visiting.
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Photography
Photography is a must here; the white salt crystals and crater create surreal images. The reflection of the sky on the wet salt surfaces is especially photogenic.
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Time needed
Plan about one to one and a half hours for visiting the salt pans. If you want to explore the entire crater, it may take longer.
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Combine with
Combine the visit with a trip to nearby Santa Maria beach and Sal island. The salt-related museums in the area are also interesting.
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Getting there
The salt pans are about 5 kilometers from Espargos and reachable by car or taxi. A gravel road leads to the crater; a 4x4 vehicle is recommended.
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Insider tip
Wear sunglasses and sunscreen as the white salt crust strongly reflects the sun. Do not walk barefoot on the dry salt as it can become very hot.

Geography

Coordinates
16.76200, -22.89400

Facts

  • Located inside the crater of an extinct volcano at sea level.
  • A transport tunnel was manually excavated through the crater wall in 1804.
  • The salt concentration is roughly 27 times higher than normal seawater.
  • Sal island was named after the vital salt industry established here.
  • Large-scale salt production and export continued until the mid-1900s.
  • Remnants of a massive wooden cable car system used for transport still stand.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Pedra de Lume Salt LakePedra de Lume Salt Lake<1 km · NWExplore →
SalSal5 km · SWExplore →
Monte CurralMonte Curral5 km · SExplore →
Shark Bay Lemon Shark ObservationShark Bay Lemon Shark Observation5 km · SWExplore →
Monte GrandeMonte Grande6 km · EExplore →
Amílcar Cabral International AirportAmílcar Cabral International Airport7 km · SWExplore →
MurdeiraMurdeira9 km · SWExplore →
Port of PalmeiraPort of Palmeira10 km · SExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Historical Salt Pans of Pedra de Lume (3)

Farol de Pedra de Lume

Lighthouse on Sal island, Cape Verde. It marks the coast near the salt pans of Pedra de Lume.

Faro

Lighthouse in Cape Verde. Serves as a navigation landmark along the coast.

Monte Cagarral

Mountain on Sal island, Cape Verde. It rises near the salt pans.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Can you swim in the Pedra de Lume salt pans?
Yes, due to the extremely high salt content, you float on the water, similar to the Dead Sea.
Are there showers on site?
Yes, there are paid freshwater showers to rinse off the salt after your swim.
Where are the salt pans located?
They are located in the crater of an extinct volcano on Sal island.
Is there an entrance fee?
Yes, the entrance to the protected crater area costs about 500-600 CVE.
What are the opening hours?
Normally open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
Historical Salt Pans of Pedra de Lume: where is it located?
Historical Salt Pans of Pedra de Lume is located in Cape Verde.
Historical Salt Pans of Pedra de Lume: what is there to see?
Highlights include Farol de Pedra de Lume, Faro, Monte Cagarral.
Historical Salt Pans of Pedra de Lume: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Mar, May.
Historical Salt Pans of Pedra de Lume: why is it worth visiting?
The historical salt pans of Pedra de Lume are located inside the crater of an extinct volcano on the island of Sal.
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Nearby cities

Espargos — Historical Salt Pans of Pedra de Lume (Cape Verde)
Espargos
Espargos is the administrative center of Sal island, located in the interior.
Palmeira — Historical Salt Pans of Pedra de Lume (Cape Verde)
Palmeira
Palmeira is the main port town of Sal and a center for trade.
Santa Maria — Historical Salt Pans of Pedra de Lume (Cape Verde)
Santa Maria
Santa Maria is the main tourist center of Cape Verde, with miles of sandy beaches.
Murdeira — Historical Salt Pans of Pedra de Lume (Cape Verde)
Murdeira
Murdeira is a coastal village in a protected bay on the west coast of Sal.

History & landmarks

Amílcar Cabral International Airport — Historical Salt Pans of Pedra de Lume (Cape Verde)
Amílcar Cabral International Airport
The main airport of Sal Island, playing a central role for tourism in Cape Verde.

Nature

Pedra de Lume Salt Lake — Historical Salt Pans of Pedra de Lume (Cape Verde)
Pedra de Lume Salt Lake
A salt lake inside the crater of an extinct volcano, where you can float like in the Dead Sea.

More places

Sal — Historical Salt Pans of Pedra de Lume (Cape Verde)
Sal
The sunniest island of the archipelago, known for its vast sandy beaches and salt mines.
Monte Curral — Historical Salt Pans of Pedra de Lume (Cape Verde)
Monte Curral
A mountain in the heart of the city of Espargos on Sal, which today serves as a site for communication facilities.
Shark Bay Lemon Shark Observation — Historical Salt Pans of Pedra de Lume (Cape Verde)
Shark Bay Lemon Shark Observation
A shallow coastal area on Sal where young lemon sharks can be observed at close range.
Espargos Children&#39;s Playground — Historical Salt Pans of Pedra de Lume (Cape Verde)
Espargos Children's Playground
A central meeting point for children in Espargos, equipped with colorful play structures and shaded areas.
Monte Grande — Historical Salt Pans of Pedra de Lume (Cape Verde)
Monte Grande
Monte Grande is the highest point on Sal and stands out on an otherwise flat island.
Monte Tortolho — Historical Salt Pans of Pedra de Lume (Cape Verde)
Monte Tortolho
A small but striking volcanic hill in the south of Sal, rising out of the otherwise completely flat landscape.
Port of Palmeira — Historical Salt Pans of Pedra de Lume (Cape Verde)
Port of Palmeira
Porto de Palmeira is the main harbor on Sal, located by the fishing village of Palmeira.
Buracona — Historical Salt Pans of Pedra de Lume (Cape Verde)
Buracona
A natural sea pool on Sal, famous for the 'Blue Eye', a light phenomenon.