Ria Formosa Natural Park
Faro, Olhão and eastern Algarve, Portugal
Ria Formosa offers a quieter perspective on the Algarve, shaped by lagoons, saltmarshes and barrier islands. A thoughtfully chosen boat trip or walk reveals how wildlife, fishing and shellfish cultivation share this shifting coastal environment. Choose an itinerary that leaves time to observe rather than simply move between beaches. The landscape is especially rewarding for travellers interested in birds and natural systems, with different starting points around Faro, Olhão and Tavira.