It is located in the Environmental Education Center of Marim-Quelfes, city and municipality of Olhão, Algarve, Southern Portugal
The Park is located in a humid area, where the Ria Formosa is formed by a labyrinth of channels, islands, marshes and sandbanks that stretches along 60 km of the Algarve coast between Garrão and Manta Rota beaches.
The Ria Formosa Natural Park extends over 60 km of the southern Algarve coast, between the Ancão peninsula and Manta Rota, on the Cacela peninsula.
On the two peninsulas we find, from west to east, five islands: Barreta, Culatra, Armona, Tavira and Cabanas and these islands constitute a barrier that protects the lagoon and the mainland from the advances of the sea.
The Natural Park also covers a narrow strip of land, with agricultural and forestry fields surrounding the lagoon system.
The Ria Formosa is a vital area for birds as a wintering, nesting, migration support or permanent habitat. It is also worth highlighting its importance in the life cycle of numerous species of fish, molluscs and crustaceans, mainly as a breeding and feeding area.
The diversity of ecosystems attracts a varied fauna that includes numerous species of birds such as the sultana hen which is the symbol of the Natural Park, if you want to admire this bird with its showy plumage and find out everything about the protected area, start your visit at the Marim Environmental Education Center which will show you the most appropriate walking trails and the observatories where you can hide to enjoy the day-to-day life of the various species.
The Park also organizes trips on a traditional boat formerly used for tuna fishing.
One of the friendliest species you can find here is the Portuguese water dog, a breed of long-haired dogs that help fishermen in their work by diving and catching fish that get caught in the nets.
In addition to fishing, salt extraction, mollusc and bivalves harvesting are the traditional activities of the Ria's populations, who have created delicious gastronomic specialties such as “fish soup” or “razor clam rice” that you can enjoy in peace and quiet in seaside restaurants.
Visitors can find true paradises on the islands of the Ria Formosa, such as the Islands of Faro, Barreta, Culatra, Armona and Tavira, with extensive, little-crowded sands.
Tourists can visit Cacela Velha, which is a white village with a notable historical heritage, climb the fortress, and look around at the landscape where the blues of the estuary, sea and sky mix, it is simply stunning.
The Ria Formosa Natural Park extends over 60 km of the southern Algarve coast, between the Ancão peninsula and Manta Rota, on the Cacela peninsula.
On the two peninsulas we find, from west to east, five islands: Barreta, Culatra, Armona, Tavira and Cabanas and these islands constitute a barrier that protects the lagoon and the mainland from the advances of the sea.
The Natural Park also covers a narrow strip of land, with agricultural and forestry fields surrounding the lagoon system.
The Ria Formosa is a vital area for birds as a wintering, nesting, migration support or permanent habitat. It is also worth highlighting its importance in the life cycle of numerous species of fish, molluscs and crustaceans, mainly as a breeding and feeding area.
The diversity of ecosystems attracts a varied fauna that includes numerous species of birds such as the sultana hen which is the symbol of the Natural Park, if you want to admire this bird with its showy plumage and find out everything about the protected area, start your visit at the Marim Environmental Education Center which will show you the most appropriate walking trails and the observatories where you can hide to enjoy the day-to-day life of the various species.
The Park also organizes trips on a traditional boat formerly used for tuna fishing.
One of the friendliest species you can find here is the Portuguese water dog, a breed of long-haired dogs that help fishermen in their work by diving and catching fish that get caught in the nets.
In addition to fishing, salt extraction, mollusc and bivalves harvesting are the traditional activities of the Ria's populations, who have created delicious gastronomic specialties such as “fish soup” or “razor clam rice” that you can enjoy in peace and quiet in seaside restaurants.
Visitors can find true paradises on the islands of the Ria Formosa, such as the Islands of Faro, Barreta, Culatra, Armona and Tavira, with extensive, little-crowded sands.
Tourists can visit Cacela Velha, which is a white village with a notable historical heritage, climb the fortress, and look around at the landscape where the blues of the estuary, sea and sky mix, it is simply stunning.
Marim Environmental Education Center
The Marim Environmental Education Center and headquarters of the Park, is a space dedicated to the interpretation of the Natural Park territory and environmental education.
The Center is located on an old farm with around 60 hectares, and has an interpretive center equipped with exhibition areas, auditorium and rooms for environmental education activities.
Outside, there is a circular trail (3 km) that includes 19 stations interpreted with panels: the dunes, the salt marsh, the bivalve nurseries, two bird observatories, the tide mill, the Roman salting tanks or the wild animal recovery center.
Along the route, the visitor gets to know most of the habitats that make up the Ria Formosa Natural Park, and some of its fauna and flora and the mark of men on the landscape.
The Center is located on an old farm with around 60 hectares, and has an interpretive center equipped with exhibition areas, auditorium and rooms for environmental education activities.
Outside, there is a circular trail (3 km) that includes 19 stations interpreted with panels: the dunes, the salt marsh, the bivalve nurseries, two bird observatories, the tide mill, the Roman salting tanks or the wild animal recovery center.
Along the route, the visitor gets to know most of the habitats that make up the Ria Formosa Natural Park, and some of its fauna and flora and the mark of men on the landscape.
