Welcome to one of Portugal’s hidden gems, the natural salt pans of Rio Maior. Located just an hour and a half from Lisbon, these salt pans are one of the few remaining in Europe that are still operational, making for a fascinating day trip into the natural and historical wealth of the Leiria region.

The salt pans of Rio Maior, often referred to as “Salinas Naturais de Rio Maior,” are nestled in a beautiful valley surrounded by lush greenery. Unlike typical sea salt pans, these are fed by an underground saline water source, which makes the salt particularly rich in minerals and purity. It’s an enchanting sight to see as salt has been harvested here using traditional methods for over 800 years.