Faro is surrounded by a collection of tiny islands with fantastic beaches and the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Almost all of these Faro beaches can be reached only by taking a short ferry ride. There is only 1 beach that can be visited without taking a ferry, Praia de Faro. Sadly, it is in a very inconvenient location, far from the bustling tourist center of the town. However, you can take the airport bus to get there, and from there, all you need to do is cross the small bridge connecting the sand bank to the mainland. A trip to Praia de Faro is very much worth the effort because the sand is fine, there are few tourists, and the water is warm and crystal clear. Here are some of the other island beaches that are worth a visit.

Ilha de Tavira Beach

This beach is full of amenities from beach umbrellas, to parking and sun beds. Lifeguards are on duty throughout the day and if you tire of the sun, you can hop over to one of the many fantastic restaurants nearby.

Ilha de Armona Beach

One of the most beautiful beaches in the area, Ilha de Armona has a relaxing pier to stroll along and spectacular sunsets to enjoy. The sand is clean and the water is warm and calm. There are lifeguards, sun umbrellas, and restaurants as well.

Burgau Beach

This horseshoe-shaped beach is the best place for kids. It is a safe beach with warm water and plenty of space to play and build sand castles. During low tide, children can explore the small tidal pools created among the rocks and see what sea creatures they can find. There are lifeguards on duty for extra security, and there is plenty of parking available. For the adults, there is also a nice beach bar.

Ilha da Culatra Beach and Ilha da Barreta Beach

The warm, tranquil, crystal clear water of Ilha da Culatra makes it the perfect place to go snorkeling or scuba diving. There are also many interesting species of birds in the area making it a great place to go birdwatching. Ilha de Barreta Beach is another excellent bird-watching beach where you can check out flamingos, sandwich terns, and many others. Both of these beaches have gorgeous views and are nice places to simply relax and soak up some sun.