When people think about the Algarve, they usually think about beaches, cliffs and small coastal towns.
But under the city of Loulé there is something completely different.
A working salt mine, around 230 metres underground.
The Mina de Sal-Gema de Loulé has more than 35 km of underground galleries, created over decades of mining.
Today, part of the mine is open to visitors.
During the visit, you go down by lift and walk around 1.3 km through the underground tunnels.
The rock formations around you are around 230 million years old, from a time when this part of Portugal was covered by an ancient sea.
One thing I find interesting is that this is not an abandoned mine turned into a museum.
It is still an active rock salt mine, and salt is still extracted here today.
The temperature underground stays around 23 to 24°C throughout the year, so even in summer it feels very different from the heat outside.
📍 GOOD TO KNOW
The mine is in Loulé.
Visits are guided, and the underground route is around 1.3 km on foot.
Children under 6 cannot enter, and it may not be the best option if you feel uncomfortable in underground spaces.
If you are travelling through the Algarve and want to see something completely different from another beach, this is one of the most unusual places you can visit.
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