Ria Formosa Nature Reserve near Dona Filipa Hotel

Just east of the world-famous Quinta do Lago, the beach curves inland and becomes a series of narrow dunes. These create, on the inland facing side, an estuary of fresh and saltwater lagoons, islands and marshes. These form the 18,400 hectare Ria Formosa Nature Reserve.

The Ria Formosa Nature Reserve is a haven for rare and endangered, nesting or migrating birds and includes 60 kilometres of one of Europe's last unspoilt coastlines.

These large amounts of open expanses of water, abundant in marine life, foster a rich ecosystem which allow for a diverse flora and fauna life to prosper.

The Ria Formosa... Voted one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Portugal

Competing with another 323 locations across Pportugal, the Ria Formosa Estuary and Natural Park was elected as one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Portugal. The sotavento (Eastern Algarve) ecosystem obtained the most votes in the category of Marine Areas. This recognition will most certainly reinforce the potential market of nature tourism in the Algarve; such as bird watching.

The President of the Algarve Tourism Board, Nuno Aires states: "This distinction reveals the great esteem that the Portuguese - and we share - for this the natural landscape. I truly believe that the election will give a new impulse to the nature tourism in the Algarve, a product that we have worked on the last few years, and that will help the Ria's preservation".

The Algarve can only express content and pride in sharing this prize... as we all know we benefit from the breath-taking and marvel of the Ria Formosa every single day.