Reserva Natural do Sapal de Castro Marim e Vila Real de Santo António

The Algarve


Established in 1975, this nature reserve is mainland Portugal’s oldest, covering 20 sq km of marshland and salt pans bordering the Rio Guadiana. Winter visitors include greater flamingos, spoonbills and Caspian terns; in spring it’s busy with white storks. September is the best time to see European chameleons, when they descend from the trees to lay their eggs in the conifer woodlands.

Walking trails with interpretive signs fan out from the park's headquarters, located 1.8km south of Castro Marim.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Algarve attractions

1. Castelo

0.8 MILES

Castro Marim's huge castle has an intriguing borderland history. Much of the area was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake, but the ruins of the main fort are…

2. Isla Canela

4.82 MILES

South of Ayamonte town are the broad, relatively built-up beaches of Isla Canela and Punta del Moral.

3. Punta del Moral

6.41 MILES

Backed by pine woods and high-rise developments, the long, sandy beach of Punta del Moral is a pleasant enough place to swim, though not as pristine as…

4. Sala Muestra del Carnaval

6.48 MILES

If you can't make Carnaval, pop into this small museum attached to the tourist office, which hosts a permanent display of prize-winning costumes. From…

5. Playa de la Gaviota

6.92 MILES

At the southern end of Avenida Federico Silva Muñoz (the continuation of the central Gran Vía), a bridge crosses a lagoon to reach the sprawling Playa de…

6. Playa Central

7.76 MILES

Along the rear of Playa de la Gaviota, a boardwalk trail heads east to Playa Central, the main tourism zone with a few hotels and restaurants. The beach…

7. Arraial Ferreira Neto Museum

11.69 MILES

Quaint displays at this tiny tuna-fishing museum include a diorama of the complex tuna-netting system, mannequins in period dress, model boats and black…

8. Praia da Ilha de Tavira

11.73 MILES

This huge white-sand beach at the island's eastern end, opposite Tavira, has operators for water sports (such as windsurfing and kitesurfing), beach bars…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "portugal/castro-marim/attractions/reserva-natural-do-sapal-de-castro-marim-e-vila-real-de-santo-antonio/a/poi-sig/1373817/1300045",
      "destination": "The-Algarve",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "Portugal",
      "region": "The-Algarve",
      "position": "superzone"
    }