Geography and Environmental Features

Western Algarve

MOUNTAIN REGIONS

SERRA DE ESPINHAÇO DE CÃO – A natural boarder between the coast and the Parque Natural da Costa Vicentina, the small mountain range is both rugged and beautiful. Home to a variety of wildlife, the area is a fantastic place for walkers, who can enjoy a wealth of pathways and views over this beautiful part of the Algarve.

SERRA DE MONCHIQUE – An impressive mountain range: green and wooded with cork, chestnut and eucalyptus trees. The area is home to the village of Monchique and acts as a natural northern boundary for the Algarve. It is ideal hiking country and is home to two of the region\'s highest peaks – Picota and Fóia.

SPAS
CALDAS DE MONCHIQUE – A spa since Roman times, the village is home to waters said to have healing powers for skin and chest complaints. The thermal spa sits on the edge of a ravine, with gardens, sauna, pool, Jacuzzi and turkish bath facilities. Visitors to Caladas de Monchique can even sample the healing waters straight from the ground spring.

PARQUE NATURAL DA COSTA VICENTINA
The park has an enormous diversity of habitats, with fine, sandy beaches, water lagoons and small islands. The area is home to many beautiful and rare species, including over seven hundred and fifty flora specimens. The Parque Natural da Costa Vicentina is a conservation site, endeavouring to safeguard many cherished native species such as the Lynx-Iberian, the otter and the White Stork, a strictly protected species in Europe.

BARRAGEM DE BRAVURA
Barragem de Bravura is one of the most picturesque of the Algarve\'s several barragems or dams. An idyllic spot, the serene reservoir spills over the dam into the valley. Only 15km north of Lagos, the journey is as beautiful as the barragem itself. Both roads from Lagos and Odeáxere pass through delightful countryside, filled with flowers throughout the spring and summer months.

Eastern Algarve
MOUNTAIN REGIONS
SERRA DE ALCARIA – The region is comprised of hard slate which has been worn down over the years to create round-topped hills which are now covered with citrus scrub.

SERRA D O CALDEIRÃO – Like the Serra de Alcaria, the landscape is mostly smoothed slate topped hills interspersed with crops, growing from the steep peaks. The views from Miradouro do Caldeirão are spectacular. As the highest point in the freguesia (parish), this viewpoint is well worth a visit.

RESERVA NATURAL DO SAPAL
Situated on the Portuguese border with Spain, this area of Natural Park is home to a large contingent of flamingos and black-winged stilts. Salt is still produced in small quantities with the marsh and salt areas covering an area of nearly 3000 hectares.

RESERVA NATURAL DA RIA FORMOSA
Lying just south of Faro, a maze of salt marshes, mud flats and waterways constitute the Reserva Natural da Ria Formosa. A wide range of marine and birdlife can be found in the area, along with more than 50 species of fish. A stop over for migrating birds en route to Africa from Europe, the reserve acts as an important feeding ground, and is also host to a wide variety of plant life, especially abundant in spring and early summer.

BARRAGEM DO ARADE
One of the Algarve\'s many Barragems (dams), the Barragem do Arade is a popular spot for the region\'s birdlife. Water sports are on offer and a boat can be organised to take visitors to Paradise Island, a tree lined islet where there are special swimming areas available for those wishing to bathe in the fresh waters of the adjoining reservoir.