Ria Formosa Natural Park is abounding with beauty — from its glistening lagoons to its golden beaches and teeming birdlife. It’s little wonder why Ria Formosa is one of Portugal’s seven natural wonders. But while it’s world-renowned for its adventurous appeal, there’s an overlooked but equally stunning gem in the park — its flora.
The team at Lands are passionate guides who know all the ins and outs of Ria Formosa. While most of our guests join us for our Eco-Friendly Ria Formosa Boat Trips, we also focus our tours on land, providing an insightful glimpse into all the aspects that create this natural mosaic.
We believe that the flora of Ria Formosa are unsung heroes that keep the ecosystem thriving across a diversity of habitats. If you’re ready to discover the plants and flowers that grow here, read our guide to Ria Formosa’s flora. Should you have any questions about our tours for us, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Let’s take a closer look, shall we?
The Sturdy Dune Plants of Ria Formosa
The dunes of Ria Formosa play a crucial role in protecting the mainland from the effects of the sea and storms. While the dunes continue to change shape from the wind and tides, they have one major stabilising force: plants.
There are nearly 50 species of plants found in Ria Formosa’s dunes. On the sea-facing side, you’ll find sea holly and cottonweed, pioneering plant species which are known to grow in more barren and hostile environments. The marram grass here may look like any other beach grass, but this plant is essential to steadying the sand thanks to its long roots
On the other side of the dunes, you’ll come across a beautiful array of species, from the stunning white sea daffodil to the bright yellow curry plant and the purple spiny thrift, native to Portugal.
You can learn more about the array of habitats in the park with our blog about How Big is Ria Formosa Natural Park.
Ria Formosa’s Cleansing Marsh Flora
The vegetation in Ria Formosa’s marshes is vital to maintaining the overall health of the ecosystem. Marshes are predominantly made up of creeping vegetation, which is submersed in or washed over by sea water. Small cordgrass and sea purslane can all be found on the lower marshes, while vegetation like the perennial glasswort is found in the upper marshes acts as filters by capturing and retaining pollutants — making them cleaning powerhouses!
Marshes are also important habitats, serving as a home to a range of species including fish and molluscs. Birds are particularly active among the marshes, where they can feed and nest. Read our guide to Birdwatching and Walking in the Algarve for some ornithological inspiration!
Climate-Saving Seagrass in Ria Formosa
Grasses may not seem like the most exciting attraction in Ria Formosa, but the seagrasses here are critical in combating climate change. At low tide, you can see Small cordgrass in muddy and sandy areas, while nearby sandbanks are covered in a number of seagrass species. Not only do these seagrasses provide a habitat for marine life, but according to the WWF (World Wildlife Fund), they absorb carbon from the atmosphere 35 times faster than forests!
The seagrasses in Ria Formosa are also home to endangered seahorses, with conservation areas having been established in 2020 to protect these creatures. The loss of seagrasses threatens this important population of seahorses, which was once the largest in the world.
Ria Formosa’s Mainland Beauty
Ria Formosa’s beauty continues onto the mainland, where you can find a variety of flora that is endemic to the Algarve! While much of the landscape is today dominated by pine trees, you’ll find rosemary and French lavender growing beneath them, filling the air with their sweet scents.
Most significantly, you can come across indigenous plants found nowhere else in Portugal. The rare Linaria algarviana flowers here with its purple petals, along with Thymus lotocephalus, a type of Thyme endemic to the Algarve. Keep your eyes peeled for Tuberaria major, an indigenous perennial with delicate yellow blooms.
Ria Formosa Flora Checklist
Whether you’re an amateur botanist or a seasoned flower spotter, we have put together this checklist for some of the floral highlights you can expect to see in Ria Formosa. If you’d like a bit of help with your search, we can highly recommend joining our Guided Walking Tour in Ria Formosa from Faro, where our guides can help point out these plants:
- Sea holly
- Cottonweed
- Marram grass
- Sea daffodil
- Curry plant
- Spiny thrift
- Sea daffodil
- And many more.
Discover Ria Formosa with Lands
With its diverse habitats, flora, and fauna, we wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to make the most of your time discovering Ria Formosa. At Lands, we’re here to make that possible through our range of boat tours and Experiences in Faro. Whether you want to hit the water or explore on land and discover its botanical interests, the beauty of Ria Formosa awaits. If you have any questions about our tours or activities, please feel free to get in touch!
English (UK) 
Português 
Español 
Français