The Eastern Algarve is more than just sun, sea and sand!

When you think of the Algarve in southern Portugal, you imagine sun, sea and beach. But there's more! In the eastern part of the Algarve, between Faro and Tavira, lies a 60-kilometer-long belt of islands and peninsulas with a lagoon behind them.

Seahorses, dolphins, flamingos, chameleons, migratory birds can be spotted in this beautiful and unique natural area of Ria Formosa in the sunny Algarve.

From our Guesthouse, we look out over the fishing village of Fuseta, the Atlantic Ocean, and this unique lagoon! The distance to the beach and sea is 8 kilometers!

Photo: salt pans near Tavira

Pearl of the Algarve This entire natural area of Ria Formosa, also known as the Pearl of the Algarve, consists of sandbanks, salt pans, marshes, white beaches, and dunes with plants and around 1500 animal species.

You could compare it to our Dutch Wadden Sea. A special app shows you exactly when it is safe to walk to one of the islets before the tide comes in again.

Unique environment for birdwatchers and hikers For birdwatchers, this breeding and migratory bird area is very interesting. There are over 200 different species of birds to spot. The best known for us laypeople are the storks, flamingos, and herons, but there are also rare and local species to discover.

When it's dark, we see small fishing boats in the distance on the Atlantic Ocean with bright lights catching octopuses. Every morning, these are sold fresh in the market halls of the various seaside villages.

You won't find fish and shellfish any fresher (or tastier) than in the Ria Formosa. We often go to a French café on the boulevard in the town of Olhão to eat oysters. These oysters are farmed in the lagoon, which you can see from the restaurant on the boulevard.

Spotting dolphins in the Algarve In the lagoon, you can also find freshwater turtles, seahorses, and dolphins. With boat excursions, you might be lucky enough to spot dolphins, especially in the spring.

Chameleons Chameleons are also present. They are quite rare in Europe and are beautiful to see, especially their very slow way of moving. This allows them to sneak up on their prey undetected. If you see one on a path, help it across before it gets run over!

We've seen them several times in our garden. Our caravan is under two large carob trees, whose ripe pods often fall down. A chameleon fell from the tree onto Maarten's shoulder! Quite a shock when such a large pod starts moving!

The visitor center Parque Natural de Ria Formosa, part of the Ria Formosa nature park, is located on the edge of the lively village of Olhão. Here you can spot these chameleons and many other animal species.

Photo: chameleon in our garden

Seahorses What we didn't know is that Ria Formosa houses the largest community of seahorses. Unfortunately, the seahorse population has drastically declined over the past 20 years due to environmental changes, illegal fishing, or excessive shipping traffic. I will discuss this peculiar fish further in another blog.

Also want to enjoy all this beauty in eastern Algarve, near Spain? If you want to experience that the Algarve is indeed more than sun, sea, and beach, come to our Boutique Guesthouse Moncarapacho. Bem vindo or welcome!

Photos: blooming yucca, agave, and palm in our young Mediterranean garden

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