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Algarve's Hidden Gems

Explore the Ria Formosa region through its historic architecture and coastal landscapes. This selection includes Faro’s 18th-century Igreja do Carmo, known for its bone chapel, and the medieval Castle of Tavira. Coastal sites feature Praia do Barril, distinguished by its anchor cemetery, and the uninhabited Ilha da Barreta. Religious heritage is represented by the Ermida de São Sebastião and the 16th-century Igreja Matriz de São Pedro, offering insight into the area's recovery after the 1755 earthquake and its maritime history.

Kris / CC-BY-SA

A

Igreja do Carmo

18th-century Baroque church featuring the Capela dos Ossos, a small chapel lined with the skulls and bones of over 1,000 monks.

Mussklprozz / CC BY-SA 3.0

B

Castle of Tavira

The Castle of Tavira is a medieval castle located in the parish of Santiago, Tavira municipality, Faro district of Portugal.

BiiJii / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Praia do Barril

Sandy beach known for the Cemitério das Âncoras, a memorial of hundreds of rusted anchors from a former tuna fishing community. Accessible by foot or a miniature train.

D

Praia da Ilha da Barreta

An uninhabited island marking the southernmost point of mainland Portugal. Accessible only by boat from Faro, it features seven kilometers of coastline and diverse birdlife.

Ricardo Filipe Pereira / CC BY-SA 4.0

E

Ermida de São Sebastião

A small chapel in Tavira with 15th-century origins, reconstructed after the 1755 earthquake. It features simple architectural lines characteristic of the region’s religious heritage.

Ludo Vyskoc / CC-BY-SA

F

Igreja Matriz de São Pedro

Originally a 16th-century construction, this church was rebuilt following the 1755 earthquake. It houses a Mannerist main altarpiece and various Baroque side chapels.