Just outside Tavira lies a surreal landscape of salt pans, where seawater is slowly evaporated in shallow basins to produce high-quality sea salt, including the prized “flor de sal.”

You can visit the Salinas do Grelha (Olhão) to learn about the traditional salt harvesting process that dates back to Roman times. Guided tours explain how the pans work and how salt is manually harvested with wooden rakes.

Kids and adults alike are fascinated by the geometric pools and the changing colors caused by algae, minerals, and bacteria. And yes—there’s usually a small shop on-site where you can buy artisanal salt to take home.

If you’re lucky, you might also spot flamingos feeding in the briny water nearby. Combine your visit with a walk or bike ride along the salt pan trails, and end with a cool drink back in Tavira town.

Fuseta is a small fishing town tucked between the Ria Formosa lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean, and it’s one of the best places to experience the quieter, more authentic side of the Algarve. Unlike larger resorts, Fuseta still feels like a working village—where fishermen mend nets in the harbor and tide charts matter more than time.

One of Fuseta’s most fascinating features is its connection to the local oyster industry. The shallow, nutrient-rich waters of the Ria Formosa provide perfect conditions for oyster farming. At low tide, you can spot rows of oyster beds stretching out across the lagoon. Several small producers offer tastings and boat tours, where you can learn how oysters are grown and harvested—often followed by a chance to taste them, freshly opened and with just a squeeze of lemon.

For swimming and relaxing, Fuseta offers two great options. The main beach sits inside the lagoon and is ideal for families with young children—calm, shallow waters and no waves. For a wilder beach experience, take the short ferry or water taxi to Ilha da Fuseta, a barrier island with wide Atlantic beaches and soft sand that stretches as far as the eye can see.

Fuseta is also a great spot for kayaking, birdwatching, or simply enjoying grilled seafood by the water. Life moves at a gentle pace here, shaped by the rhythm of the tides. Whether you’re slurping oysters, paddling through the channels, or walking barefoot on the sand, Fuseta offers a simple but unforgettable slice of Algarve life.

Olhão is the perfect starting point to explore a very interesting side of the Ria Formosa Natural Park, a labyrinth of salt marshes, sandbanks, and islands that stretch along the Algarve coast. While the town itself has a strong fishing identity, it’s the connection to the lagoon and its islands that makes Olhão truly special.

From the marina, you can catch a ferry or water taxi or book a (half) daytrip to the islands of Armona, Culatra, and Farol. These islands have no cars, just sandy paths, modest cottages, and unspoiled beaches. Culatra, home to a small fishing community, offers a rare glimpse of traditional island life—complete with colourful boats and drying octopus racks. Armona is perfect for a relaxed day of swimming and walking, with wide sandy shores on both the lagoon and ocean sides.

The boat journey itself is a highlight. As you glide across the calm waters of the lagoon, you’ll pass oyster beds, fishing nets, and flocks of birds wading in the shallows. The views constantly shift with the tides, making each trip feel slightly different. For a quieter, more ecological experience, you can also book a solar-powered boat tour through the Ria Formosa’s winding channels.

Whether you’re birdwatching, beachcombing, or simply enjoying the salty air, Olhão offers a deeper, wilder connection to nature. The islands here aren’t about beach bars or crowds—they’re about space, silence, and the simple beauty of sand and sea.