The little-known European sun spot where only locals holiday – with fewer crowds, island beaches & €35 Ryanair flights
FAR-GO The little-known European sun spot where only locals holiday – with fewer crowds, island beaches & €35 Ryanair flights
EUROPE is home to hundreds of tiny islands just waiting to be discovered - and they're perfect for holidaymakers who don't love crowds.
The Parque Natural da Ria Formosa is a coastal lagoon and natural park located in the Algarve region of southern Portugal, and its islands are accessible by a short boat ride from Faro.
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The Ria Formosa is a nature reserve of canals, islands, marshland and sandy beaches
Credit: Alamy
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The natural park extend 60km along the Algarve coast
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And it is home of five barrier islands
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Holidaymakers can also book themselves onto guided Flamingo Spotting tours
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The Ria Formosa Natural Park is a nature reserve of canals, islands, marshland and sandy beaches that extend 60km along the Algarve coast.
And it has been protected under Portuguese law since 1978.
The nature reserve is home to five barrier islands - Cabanas Island, Tavira Island, Armona Island, Culatra Island and Barreta Island.
For nearly 50 years, the five inlets have created a unique ecosystem where both plants and animals thrive.
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Despite being protected under Portuguese law, holidaymakers can visit the island.
It's located right above Africa on the southern tip of the country, with the Mediterranean Sea to separate them.
One of the island's biggest draws is its beaches, which are said to be some of the most beautiful in the Algarve.
And the islands are accessible by public ferries or tourist boats, located less than 30 minutes' travel from mainland Algarve.
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According to Algarve Portugal Tourism, some of the island white sand beaches are "completely deserted."
They added: "The designation as a natural park means that it's protected from development, so visitors shouldn't expect beachfront hotels.
Inside the luxury resort that offers anti-ageing programmes - and it costs from £309 for two nights
"These beaches are heaven for those who prefer peace and quiet, and there are spots officially recognized as nude beaches.
"On the way there, it's possible to see a variety of wildlife, including chameleons, the world's largest concentration of seahorses, flamingos, storks and other resident and migratory birds."
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Cabanas Island is a barrier island within the natural park, located off the coast of Cabanas de Tavira in the Algarve.
It is known for its variety of wildlife and it offers plenty of space and tranquillity as it is almost deserted.
Tavira Island is an uninhabited island divided into four beaches, and it is one of the easiest to reach from the mainland.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, Tavira Island was an important centre for tuna fishing.
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FLAMINGO TOURS
Holidaymakers can also book themselves onto guided Flamingo Spotting tours from Tavira, which cost €30 per person.
Another island is Isla Armona, which is a bit more built up with houses and cafes.
And another popular spot is Culatra Island, which is home to a few hundred people and also has empty beaches and clean waters,
Tourists will land at a small village with bungalows and cafes, but with no roads, will have to walk through to explore.
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Another island is Isla Armona, which is a bit more built up with houses and cafes.
Barreta Island, also known as Desert Island, is often called the Caribbean of Portugal thanks to its crystal clear waters and golden sandy beaches.
It takes only 20 minutes to get there, with ferries costing less than €5 for a round trip.
Irish holidaymakers can also enjoy a boat tour in the Ria Formosa Natural Park to see dolphins in their natural habitat.
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You'll be on the lookout for the most commonly sighted species, including the short-beaked common dolphin and the common bottlenose dolphin.
And the guided spotting tour costs around €30 per person.
Ryanair flights from Dublin to Faro Airport start at just €34.99.
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The Parque Natural da Ria Formosa is located in the Algarve, Portugal
Credit: Alamy
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