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

When you think of the Algarve in the south of Portugal, you have an image of sun, sea and beach. But there is more! In the eastern part of the Algarve, between Faro and Tavira, lies a 60 kilometre long belt of islands and peninsulas with a lagoon behind it.

Seahorses, dolphins, flamingos, chameleons, migratory birds can be spotted in this beautiful and unique nature reserve Ria Formosa in the sunny Algarve. From our plot, where we are going to build a Guesthouse, we look at the fishing village of Fuseta, the Atlantic Ocean and this unique lagoon!

Photo: Salt pans near Tavira

Pearl of the Algarve
This entire nature reserve Ria Formosa, also called the Pearl of the Algarve, also consists of sandbanks, salt pans, marshes, white beaches and dunes with plants and about 1500 animal species.

You can actually compare it to our Dutch Wadden area. On a special app you can see exactly when you can safely cross over to one of the islands before the tide comes in again.

Unique environment for bird watchers and hikers
For birdwatchers this breeding and migratory bird area is very interesting. There are more than 200 different species of birds to spot. The most famous for us laymen are the storks, flamingos and herons but there are also rare and local species to discover.

When it is dark, we see in the distance the small fishing boats on the Atlantic Ocean catching octopus with bright lights. Every morning these are sold fresh in the market halls in the various villages by the sea.

You can't get fish and shellfish much fresher (and tastier) than in the Ria Formosa. On the boulevard in the village of Olhao we regularly go to a French café to eat oysters. These oysters are farmed in the lagoon that you can look out on from this restaurant on the boulevard.

Dolphin spotting in the Algarve
In the lagoon you will also find freshwater turtles, seahorses and dolphins. With a bit of luck, especially in spring, you can spot dolphins on boat excursions.

Chameleons
Chameleons are also found there. They are quite rare in Europe and are beautiful to see, especially their special very slow way of moving. But hey, this way he can stalk his prey very well. If you come across one on a road, feel free to help him before he gets run over!

In our garden we have seen them a few times now. Our caravan is under two large alfarroba trees from which the ripe pods regularly come down. A chameleon fell from the tree and onto Maarten's shoulder! Still a bit of a shock when such a large pod starts walking!

The Parque Natural de Ria Formosa Visitor Centre, part of the Ria Formosa Natural Park, is located on the edge of the lively village of Olhao. Here you can spot these chameleons and many other species.

Photo: chameleon in our garden

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

Would you also like to enjoy all this beauty in the eastern Algarve, near Spain?
Do you want to experience for yourself that the Algarve is indeed more than sun, sea and sand? That is possible at our future Boutique Guesthouse Moncarapacho, opening July 1, 2025. The booking site is already open for bookings October 1, 2024! Look here for our offers. Bem vindo or be welcome!

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

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