The Laguna de Fuente de Piedra is a large inland saline wetland in the north of Malaga, in the municipality of Fuente de Piedra. It is protected by the Junta de Andalucía as a Natural Reserve and is part of the Natura 2000 Network, as well as being included in the Ramsar list. Its open and shallow basin favors a strong seasonal evaporation, responsible for its saline character and its flat landscape, very exposed to wind and water level changes. From the viewpoints and trails in the area you can see a wide sheet of water, bare shores in dry periods and, when the water level is good, large concentrations of waterfowl. The best known attraction is the colony of common flamingo, the largest in the Iberian Peninsula, along with other species linked to lagoon and migratory environments. The interest of the place is both scenic and ornithological: it is a place to see birds without entering the most sensitive area of the wetland. Its natural relevance is well documented by the regional administration and by tourist guides of Antequera and Andalusia. The environment has a visitor center and observation points, which facilitates an interpretive and quiet visit. The best time is usually from late winter to spring, when the flamingos arrive and the lagoon can have more water; even so, the appearance of the wetland changes a lot depending on rainfall and evaporation. If the main objective is to see flamingos, it is best to go in the early morning or late afternoon, when the observation is usually more pleasant and the atmosphere is quieter.
