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The
Ria Formosa was designated a natural park in 1987,
and incorporates around 18,000 hectares of land and sea.
Much of the
Ria Formosa is
a lagoon system with a network of sandy islands and
peninsulas paralleling the coast forming a protective
lagoon. The lagoon, which has six inlets, also forms
marshes and wetlands.
The sand
islands of Barreta, Armona, Tavira and Farol are all
part of the Ria Formosa Natural Park and it is possible
to visit these via ferries leaving from both
Olhão
and
Faro. The
largest of the island, Armona, has a range of buildings
on it including fishermen's shacks. Ferries operate to
all islands on a daily basis from the eastern dock at
Olhão
and in summer some ferries also operate
from Praia de Faro.
Originally the
Ria Formosa had
five inlets, however a sixth was created in the mid 20th
century to easier access to the port of
Faro. The
Parque Natural da
Ria
Formosa is also a centre for
traditional Portuguese industries including salt
production, fish farms and mollusc nurseries.
The
headquarters of the
Parque Natural da
Ria
Formosa is situated just east
of Olhão,
close to the town's campsite. At the headquarters you
will find a visitor centre with cafe and a meandering
three kilometre walk past some of the ancient salt pans,
down to one of the only surviving tide mills and back.
The
Parque Natural da
Ria
Formosa is also a great place
to go if you are a keen bird watcher. There are
literally hundreds of species of birds within the
Parque, both migratory and native to
Portugal. There
are several hides, though these can get hot during the
summer months, especially at midday.
Comboios
de Portugal (the national train network) have created a
programme of tours of the Ria Formosa with part of the
tour using the train. Tours, which include a guide,
range in price and can include sessions in kayaks
exploring the inlets and water ways of the Ria Formosa.
Prices start from 17.50€ with a minimum of two persons
participating. |
