Cervia Salt Pan Visitor Centre

Birdwatching a Cervia | © Gruppo Fotografico Cervese

On the inland side of Cervia, less than a mile from the sea, the salt pans run all the way to the southern end of the Po Delta Regional Park. Cervia itself is named after this natural oasis which has shaped our entire history.

The Latin name, Acervulus, described the build-up of salt; during the summer months when the precious mineral is brought into Cervia you will see it sparkling in the sunshine.

Our salt, our ‘white gold’, is known across the globe for its sweetness, thanks to the absence of bitter-tasting minerals, and it is a product which has had Slow Food status since 2004. Our salt pans are open to visitors from March to November but only on guided tours organised by the Salt Pan Visitor Centre.
If you are wondering when might be the best time of year to visit, the answer is: it depends. In spring, nature delivers its finest spectacle. At this time of year, you will see numerous species of birds during their nesting season and various plants blooming including glasswort, an edible herb. However, to learn more about how salt is produced, the best seasons are summer and autumn.

This is the time when the salt is harvested and, at the Camillon salt pan, it is still done using traditional tools and methods. With the “salt worker for the day” guided tour, you can learn all about this ancient profession and the “multiple harvest” technique which is the secret of our salt's distinctive sweetness!
The Salt Pan Visitor Centre offers a range of experiences to choose from. You can opt for exploring on foot, by bike, in an electric boat or a canoe, or aboard the fun ‘train’.
Depending on what you are most interested in, you can take a walk along the “nests trail”, visit the Camillone salt pan, or board a boat in search of flamingoes and a spectacular sunset.

The flamingoes are the symbol of our salt pans. In the warm light of the evening, their pink plumage shines and you can watch how they move elegantly whilst hunting for prawns, their favourite food.
The reflection of the sun in the vast expanse of water and the profound silence, broken only by the sounds of nature, create a truly magical environment.

The best time to see the pink flamingoes is in spring and summer, when they are nesting. But many of them are now resident here all year round. If you are lucky, you may even be able to spot some of them during the winter months. Book a tour between March and November, grab your binoculars and camera, and prepare for a truly unforgettable experience. Our salt pans await!