Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, Natural coastal lagoon in Algarve, Portugal.
The protected area extends across 18,400 hectares, featuring a network of lagoons, marshlands, islands, and sandy beaches along the southern Portuguese coast.
The lagoon system has sustained local fishing communities for generations, providing essential resources through traditional fishing methods and salt extraction.
The park maintains strong connections with local communities through fishing practices, shellfish gathering, and the preparation of regional seafood specialties.
Visitors can access multiple entry points throughout the park, with information centers and guided tours available for exploring the diverse ecosystems.
The park contains the last European nesting grounds for specific bird species and maintains a population of endangered Portuguese water dogs.
Address: 25MH+CQ3, 8700-225 Quelfes, Portugal
GPS coordinates: 37.03353,-7.82056
Latest update: March 17, 2025 20:58
The Algarve offers some of Portugal's most scenic landscapes, with a coastline alternating between golden beaches, ochre limestone cliffs, and rock formations shaped by marine erosion. This collection features the area's most notable sites, from the sea caves of Benagil to the natural arches of Ponta da Piedade, and the expansive areas of Ria Formosa, a protected wetland spanning 37 miles (60 kilometers) along the coast. Beyond the coastline, the Algarve also boasts a notable historical heritage, including the medieval Silves Castle built from red sandstone and the white alleys of the old town of Albufeira. Beaches such as Praia da Marinha and Praia do Amado attract photographers as well as surfers, while coastal villages like Cacela Velha maintain an authentic ambiance. These locations are particularly suitable for photography due to their contrasting colors and Mediterranean light.
Moncarapacho
5.8 km
Cabo de Santa Maria Lighthouse
7.6 km
Praia da Culatra
4.3 km
Ruínas romanas da Quinta de Marim
1.2 km
Igreja Paroquial de Moncarapacho
6.4 km
Palácio Fialho
8.7 km
Ponte velha de Quelfes
2.5 km
Ermida de Santo António do Alto
9 km
Torre de Bias 1
5.6 km
Olhão tide mill
589 m
Olhão towers
2.2 km
Igreja Nossa Senhora do Rosário, matriz de Olhão, e Capela de Nosso Senhor dos Aflitos
2 km
Igreja de São Bartolomeu, matriz de Pechão
5 km
Mercado Municipal de Olhão
2.2 km
Igreja Nossa Senhora do Rosário, matriz de Olhão
2 km
Edifício do Compromisso Marítimo
2 km
Câmara Municipal de Olhão
2.1 km
Golada Range Front Light
8.6 km
Farolim do Molhe Este da Barra de Faro-Olhão
8.9 km
Edifício da Alfândega
2.1 km
Conjunto dos Hangares e do Comando da Guarda Fiscal
6.1 km
Olhao Tide Mill Light
606 m
Capela de Nosso Senhor dos Aflitos
2 km
Fuzeta beach (lapyahan, lat 37,05, long -7,74)
7.2 km
Farolim do Molhe Oeste da Barra de Faro-Olhão
8.9 km
Faro - Barra Nova Light
8.1 km
Quinta da Fonte em Moncarapacho
4.3 km
Fuzeta beach (lapyahan, lat 37,04, long -7,74)
6.9 kmReviews
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