Quinta de Marim

Just 1 km from Olhão is Quinta de Marim, home of the information and interpretation centre for the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, which was created in 1987 to preserve the lagoon ecosystem of the area and the barrier islands. The park is an important area for breeding wetland birds and fish and is a big contributor to Portugal’s mollusc exports. There is a nature discovery trail running through different habitats, such as woodland and salt marsh and also includes a tidal mill. Make sure you call at a time when the private kennels in the park are open, so that you can see the charming Portuguese water dogs with their webbed paws, which used to drive the fish towards the fishermen’s nets. These large black curly-haired dogs are very friendly and well worth a visit – their breeder is happy to tell you all about them.

Ria Formosa National Park

Moncarapacho is a simple village in the “Barrocal”, the intermediate area of the Algarve between the coast and the hills of the interior, where you can find plenty of orchards and all kinds of trees, including fig, almond and pomegranate. Wander down the main street and dine in one of the small local restaurants.

Go walking in the area with Nature Club, which meets in Faro, Olhão and Loulé and enjoy the countryside. Alternatively, play a game of golf at the nearby 9-hole Colina Verde Golf Club (close to Moncarapacho), the 18-hole Benamor Golf Club (just beyond Tavira), or any of the 18-hole courses at Vale do Lobo/San Lorenzo/Quinto do Lago South/Quinto do Lago North (20 kms west of Faro airport).