Top Faro Natural Attractions

One of the best ways to enjoy the gorgeous nature in the Ria Formosa Natural Park is to explore by kayak. This group tour lets you glide over the waters in an eco-friendly way, without gasoline or intrusive noises. You can also choose a standup paddleboard if that’s more your style. Keep an eye out for all sorts of wildlife in this sprawling lagoon system.

Swap the beach crowds of the Algarve for the Parque da Mina, a five-hectare heritage park tucked into the hills near the Caldas de Monchique thermal village. Meet farm animals, explore an 18th-century museum, walk suspension bridges over a waterfall, and step inside a decommissioned ore mine—all at your own pace, without the rush of a group.

If you’re a nature lover in The Algarve, Ria Formosa National Park should be at the top of your itinerary. During this 2-hour tour from Faro, you’ll explore the natural landscape on a ‘saveiro’ (a traditional painted boat) while learning about the myriad of bird species that inhabit the area. With luck, you’ll spot birds such as white storks, little egrets, spoonbills, and grey plover. This small-group tour is limited to 10 people to guarantee an intimate atmosphere.

Discover the local marine life around Faro, Portugal during this exciting cruise. Join a small group and set sail on the Atlantic Ocean in search of several aquatic species. Observe bottlenose and common dolphins, marine birds, bluefin tuna, and perhaps even orcas and sharks. An onboard marine biologist provides information on what you see and collects research data.

Experience the best of Ria Formosa Natural Park—renowned for its white sands and wildlife—on a boat tour that stops at two of the archipelago’s best islands, Deserta and Farol Island. You’ll have free time to snorkel, swim, or simply soak up the sunshine on the beachfront.