Praia dos Salgados

Praia dos Salgados offers something truly unique on the Algarve coast—a beautiful kilometre-long beach that backs onto one of Portugal's most important coastal wetlands. Where other beaches feature ochre cliffs, Salgados surprises with a cordon of golden dunes hiding the remarkable Lagoa dos Salgados, a 50-hectare lagoon that's home to over 200 bird species. The lagoon, also known as Pera Marsh, is classified as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) and supports regionally significant populations of waterbirds. Morning visitors with binoculars can spot flamingos wading in the shallows, purple herons stalking the reeds, and spoonbills feeding in the mudflats. The lagoon even hosts Portugal's only breeding population of the globally endangered Ferruginous Duck. A network of raised wooden boardwalks crosses the lagoon and runs along its southern bank, allowing visitors to explore this unique ecosystem without disturbing the wildlife. The boardwalk eventually leads to the beach, where soft golden sand meets the Atlantic. The beach itself is excellent for swimming, with calm, clear waters and space for kitesurfing and stand-up paddleboarding. This combination of beach and nature reserve makes Praia dos Salgados perfect for families and nature lovers. Children can play in the sand and swim, then walk the boardwalk to spot birds and learn about wetland ecology. The area is particularly magical in late afternoon when the light is soft and the birds most active.