Mata Nacional das Dunas de Vila Real de Santo Antonio
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Excellent for cycling, with flat and well-maintained trails. In summer, the shade of the pine forest is a refuge from the heat. You can combine the walk in the forest with a trip to Monte Gordo beach.
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Cacela Velha
A tiny village perched on a white cliff with stunning views of the Ria Formosa and the ocean. The few whitewashed houses, the medieval church, and the fortress create a poetic scene untouched by time. Below, the deserted beach stretches for kilometers between the lagoon and the sea, accessible only by boat when the tide rises.
Vila Real de Santo Antonio
Praia da Fábrica
A beautiful, extensive sandy beach near Cacela Velha, also known as Praia de Cacela. When the tide rises, crossing to the beach is done by boat, adding a touch of adventure to the experience. The fine sand and calm waters of Ria Formosa on one side and the ocean on the other make this beach one of the most special in the Algarve's eastern region.
Vila Real de Santo Antonio
Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo Antonio Natural Reserve
A rich wetland area full of birds and landscapes, the Sapal Natural Reserve is an ecosystem of salt pans, marshes, and tidal channels that hosts impressive biodiversity. Flamingos, storks, plovers, and dozens of other bird species find refuge here throughout the year. The open and bright landscape of the salt pans at sunset is surprisingly beautiful.
Castro Marim
Monte Francisco
A small village in the eastern Algarve near the Spanish border, with about 700 permanent residents that double in summer. It retains the rustic and tranquil character of the interior — a village grocery store with fresh bread, three locally managed restaurants, and the Festa do Emigrante as an annual celebration. Just a 10-minute drive from Praia Verde, it allows for a combination of authentic interior and coastline. It fits perfectly into a curation of the less obvious Algarve.
Castro Marim