Everyone probably knows that rock salt is extracted in a mine. But have you ever wondered how sea salt is made? We saw the place of its production during a trip to Malta. Come with us to see the salt pans on the island of Gozo.
See the best attractions in Malta! It’s warm here even in winter.
What are salt pans? – photos
Salt pans are a perfect example of cooperation between man and nature without the former having a harmful impact on the latter. Salt pools, divided into rectangles or squares, are usually created by people on the coast (although they can also form spontaneously). But it is nature that fills them with sea water during high tide and means that after the liquid evaporates, people can enjoy the actually finished product.
People collect the salt crystallized in the pan by hand using simple agricultural tools. To obtain one kilogram of product, more than 20 liters of seawater are needed. The salt then goes through a cleaning and packaging process. The goods prepared in this way can be sold not only in your own store, but also to distributors or restaurateurs.
Unfortunately, sea salt production has already been heavily industrialized around the world. The private salt pans in Malta, eagerly photographed by travelers, are rather a tourist attraction and a tradition maintained from generation to generation. Nevertheless, it is one of the most interesting views we have ever seen in this country.
There we met a lovely lady who is the co-owner of this salt business. She runs a tiny, charming shop in a cave. You can buy a bag of her own salt here as a souvenir. Don’t feel sorry for yourself, because this inconspicuous substance has not only taste, but also healing and beautifying properties. Such a gift – for someone close or yourself – will be much more valuable than a fridge magnet.
We have a personal thought that we would like to share with you. On the one hand, we think that the owners of salt pans could turn their crops into a profitable tourist business. On the other hand, we are glad that there is no pure commercialism here, and the area – despite obvious human interference – still looks wild and natural. It’s comforting that there are still places where people cooperate with nature and do not completely subjugate it.
Salt pans Malta – tickets
We saw salt pans at the fairest possible price – for free. First, we admired the coastal salt farm on our own, and then the co-owner of the entire business told us (like a real guide) about the production and distribution process. We recommend this way of sightseeing. : )
Xwejni Bay salt pans – access
The salt pans are located in Żebbuġ, on the northern coast of Gozo. The exact location of the place we visited can be found at the end of the post.
- We reached the attractions by hop on – hop off bus with City Sightseeing. This way we traveled around the entire island of Gozo. If you have little time for sightseeing, we definitely recommend this means of transport.
- Car. You can easily get to the area by car or taxi, which are relatively cheap on the island.
Salt pans in Gozo – opening hours
The area where the salt pans are located is not fenced or closed in any way. So you can watch them at any time of the day. We recommend late afternoon so you can see the beutiful sunset.
In turn, the store’s opening hours are… not rather undefined. : )
Malta salt pans – visiting time
You can spend 1 minute or 1 hour exploring the salt pans – it all depends on how much you like the local landscape. However, we think that 60 minutes in the daily schedule for this attraction will be enough – we include general admiration for the charming view, a photo session and shopping in a local shop.
Xwejni Bay salt pans – interesting facts and tips
- Under no circumstances should you strictly enter the area of salt pans (that is: do not set your foot in any square or rectangle, in short: ‘the pan is lava’). Try not to destroy or pollute them. Remember that it is not only a tourist attraction and an interesting diversification of the landscape, but also a source of income for the owner.
- There are taxi drivers and guides on the island of Gozo. Apparently this is quite a popular form of sightseeing. Drivers wait at the port where ships from Malta arrive. They offer arriving passengers a private tour by car with a local guide (i.e. the taxi driver himself). We had already bought a ticket for the hop on – hop off bus, but if we had known about this form of travel in advance, we might have opted for a ‘VIP tour’. We don’t remember the exact price, but it seemed to be quite a profitable business, especially for those traveling in a group of four. Our bus arrived at subsequent stops approximately every 45-60 minutes, so we had a strictly defined time to visit a given place. With a private driver, you decide how much time and where you will spend.
- Near the salt pans you will find a plaque commemorating the extraordinary sports feat of an athlete. On July 28, 1985, Nicky Farrugia set a world swimming record. He was the first man to reach Malta from Sicily. It took him 30 hours and 17 minutes.
Salt pans on Gozo – reviews
- Patrix – 7/10. It was nice to learn how non-industrial sea salt is made. Or we can say in a fashionable way: ‘the artisanal sea salt’. Salt pans are simply rectangular holes on the coast and salt shops. It’s a nice sight, but don’t expect anything more here.
- Wiolczix – 8/10. I’ve never seen an attraction like this before. It’s not that the sight of the salt pans blew me away, but – it’s a fact – they are really photogenic. I admit that I did not know this method of obtaining sea salt before, so I am counting the trip as an educational series. I haven’t been to the cave shop either, so I must admit that I saw nothing but new things here. And a beautiful landscape to admire. 🙂
Salt pans Malta – frequently asked questions
Where to see salt pans in Malta?
The most popular place to visit the salt pans in Malta is Gozo. We saw them in the northern part of the island, near the town of Żebbuġ. However, if you are not planning a cruise to Gozo, don’t worry. You can also see salt pans around Bugibba, in Salina Bay, and in the beautiful fishing village of Marsaskala and its surroundings.
What is the island of Gozo famous for?
The island of Gozo is famous for its numerous tourist attractions. Impressive structures and beautiful landscapes can be found throughout the island. When coming to Gozo, be sure to see: the city of Rabat (also called Victoria) with its magnificent citadel, the town of Gharb, the village of Xlendi, the basilica and sanctuary of Ta’ Pinu, the megalithic temple of Ggantija and – of course – the salt pans at Xwenji Bay.
How much does a cruise to Gozo cost?
Depending on the time of day, a regular ticket for the Malta-Gozo flight costs 4-5 euros. Considering the fact that ferries run 24 hours a day, the offer seems really tempting.
How long does it take to get to Gozo?
Three days is the optimal time to thoroughly, unhurriedly explore the island of Gozo. If you have two days, you will be able to check off most of the tourist attractions, but you will have to hurry. We could devote only one day to this island, but it was enough to see ‘Gozo in a nutshell’. We are sure that it is better to come here for a while than not to come at all.
Xwejni Bay salt pans – map
The salt pans we saw are located in the northern part of the island of Gozo.