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The sea crashes against the ancient salt pans during the sea salt harvesting tour

Sea Salt Harvesting

Traditional Practice at an Ancient Salt Pan

Meet The Harvesters

The Darmanin Family

Having been harvesting salt for the last 8 decades, you'd think Żaren would be starting to slow down. However, the opposite is true! Into his 80’s now, Żaren is more energetic than a 20-year-old, still harvesting salt and loving every second of it. In fact, talking to our lively harvester can be a challenge as he zips around the pans so quickly that he's nearly impossible to catch! If this is the case his son and fellow salt harvester Mario will happily speak to you instead!

 

The life of a salt harvester is tough, involving early mornings and hard labour in the scorching sun using simple tools. Today this is becoming less and less common due to the industrialisation of the process. Nonetheless, the Darmanin family has no intention to see a tradition dating back to Phoenician times disappear and continues to produce high quality sea salt using traditional methods

Our expert sea salt harvesters stand at their ancient saltpan during the sea salt harvesting tour
What To Expect
Practicalities

  • See the ancient hand-carved saltpans forming an intricate pattern on the coastal rocks of Marsaskala
     

  • Feel the coarse crystals that are harvested from the pans
     

  • Experience the work that goes into harvesting salt by trying it firsthand
     

  • Understand the difference between 'artisanal' and 'industrial' salt

Private Tour

Pick-Up and Drop-Off Available

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Approximately 2h Duration

Flexible Start Time

English

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