Lanzarote Salinas de Janubio: Guided Salt Flats Tour & Tasting

Summary

Walk Lanzarote’s salt flats, learn old ways, taste Flor de Sal

You’ll walk Lanzarote’s historic Salinas de Janubio with a local guide, touch raw sea salt fresh from the pans, hear family stories passed down for generations, and taste Flor de Sal with regional flavors in a quiet bodega overlooking the flats. The feeling lingers long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

You step out and there’s this hush — not silence, but that kind of soft wind you only get near the sea. The ground crunches under your shoes, all sharp white and pink patches. Our guide, Carmen (she’s lived here her whole life), waved us over to a row of shallow pools. She picked up a handful of salt crystals and let me feel them — rougher than I expected, almost warm from the sun. I didn’t know salt could smell faintly like minerals and ocean at the same time.

Carmen told stories about her grandfather working these same flats, back when everything was done by hand. You can see it in her gestures — she points at the old wooden wheels and calls them “the bones of Janubio.” The mills creak when the wind picks up. At one point, she laughed because I tried to pronounce “Flor de Sal” properly (I definitely didn’t). There’s something honest about watching people still do things the slow way — you start to notice little things, like how everyone waves at each other as they pass on their bikes or tractors.

We ended up in this small bodega overlooking the flats — just a simple room with big windows and bowls of flaky salt on the table. Tasting Flor de Sal right there felt different; it sort of melts on your tongue and leaves this clean, almost sweet aftertaste. They served slices of local cheese too (I wish I remembered the name), which made everything sharper somehow. I keep thinking about that light outside — gold on white salt, volcanoes in the distance. It sticks with you longer than you expect.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Guided tour and tasting at Salinas de Janubio

• Arrive at Salinas de Janubio
• Take 90-minute guided salt-making tour
• Learn about family history and architecture
• Explore hydraulic layout and water mills
• Enjoy landscape and environmental values
• End tour with Flor de Sal tasting

Top questions

How long does the guided tour at Salinas de Janubio last?

The guided tour lasts around 90 minutes.

Is there a tasting included in this tour?

Yes, you’ll taste Flor de Sal and local flavors at the end of the visit.

Where are the Salinas de Janubio located?

The salt flats are in Lanzarote, Canary Islands.

Is this a private or group tour?

This is a private guided tour experience.

Are service animals allowed on this tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed during the visit.

Do I need to be very fit for this walking tour?

No, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Is public transportation available nearby?

Yes, there are public transport options close to Salinas de Janubio.

What’s included

Your day includes a 90-minute guided walk through Lanzarote’s only working salt flats with stories from your local guide, plus a tasting session featuring Flor de Sal and regional specialties at Bodega de la Sal before heading back refreshed (and maybe a little salty).