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The golden coast of Europe, renowned for its beautiful beaches, delicious cuisine and simple but luxurious lifestyle is also home to an impressive fauna and flora which is so beautiful it would be a shame to miss it. For your next trip to the Algarve, weather that is with family or friends, be sure to to do a day or half a day trip to one of these beautiful nature parks which are also a great way to escape from the hustle and bustle of the coastal towns such as Lagos or Vale do Lobo and enjoy a quiet moment connecting with nature.
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This beautiful nature reserve located between Lagos and the charming fishing town of Portimao, Ria de Alvor Nature Reserve has been an important hub to various kinds of wildlife for decades and a wonderful escape for those searching for peace and wishing to connect with nature. During Spring and Autumn, the nature reserve is known to be a home to a large number of migrating birds to and from Africa. Its 1500 hectares including a beautiful crystal clear lagoon provide the perfect setting for a scenic stroll with family or friends. Children especially will be pleased to know that Ria de Alvor Nature Reserve is home to a fairly large amount of flamingos which are quite common in the Algarve. Connect with nature by walking along the wooden boardwalks and explore the Quinta da Rocha cliffs to appreciate the splendour of the Algarve’s nature.
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Stretching over 60 kilometres of coast in the Algarve between Garrao and Manta Rota beaches, Ria Formosa is 18 000 hectares of combination of marshes, sandbanks and channels which is home to an impressive range of vegetation as well as wildlife. The park is particularly renowned for one rare species of bird, the chicken-sultana which is a symbol of Ria Formosa and cannot be found anywhere else in Portugal, in other words, it is a true paradise for birdwatchers. Furthermore, shellfish is highly associated with the nature park as it is farmed there and massively contributes to its economy. For a full tour, it is possible to go on a guided walk but there is also the possibility to walk freely in the area or cycle for the adventurous ones. A highlight of this excursion is taking a boat trip to admire the park from afar, a delight!
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Located in Odemira, on the southwestern coast of the Algarve the Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Nature Park is known to be one of the best preserved coastline in Europe. The latter stretches over 100 kilometres and is home to a varied wildlife which attracts zoologists from all over the world. The symbols of the park are the beautiful eroded cliffs marked by the Atlantic Ocean from millions of years ago as well as the white storks, which only sit on cliffs in this small part of the world. The nature park is also home to otters which is impressive as it is the only place in Portugal where they can be found and they are rare in Europe anyway. The Vicentine coast is also renowned for its beautiful beaches which attract a multitude of surfers every year for its magnificent waves.
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Located on Spanish/Portuguese border, within vicinity to one of the most beautiful cities of the Algarve, Tavira, this nature park is perhaps one of the most well-known nature parks in Europe due to the abundance of birds it welcomes. Despite its relatively small size compared to other nature reserves in Portugal, the park has a lot more history than the others as it dates back to the Roman times. The 20 kilometre square of marshland where an impressive fauna and flora provide the ideal setting for a long walk with your loved ones appreciating the beauty around you and connecting with nature. For those who would like to combine nature and history, the Castro Marim castle completes the trip by complementing the park’s splendor.
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