Lagoa dos Salgados sits behind a thin strip of dunes at the eastern edge of Armação de Pêra, where fresh water gathers between the beach and the golf country inland. It is one of the most reliable bird sites in the Algarve: flamingos in pink rafts, purple swamphens, herons, spoonbills and, in passage seasons, a roll-call that draws birders from across Europe.
A wooden boardwalk — the Passadiço dos Salgados — runs out over the reeds and open water, putting you among the birdlife without disturbing it, and carries on toward the long wild beach of Praia Grande dos Salgados. It is flat, free and quietly spectacular, especially in the soft light of early morning and late afternoon when the lagoon mirrors the sky.
Bring binoculars; leave the parasol behind.
Highlights
- One of the Algarve's top birdwatching sites
- Flamingos, swamphens, herons and spoonbills
- Flat boardwalk over reeds and open water
- Links to the wild Praia Grande dos Salgados
- Best at dawn and dusk, free to walk
History & context
An undeveloped coastal wetland ringed by golf resorts, Salgados survives as a protected refuge and a flagship of Algarve birdwatching.
🗓️ Best time to visit
Early morning or late afternoon for birds and light.
⏱️ Duration
1-2 hours
♿ Accessibility
Flat wooden boardwalk; step-free, no shade.
Frequently asked questions
Will I see flamingos?
Often — the lagoon holds flamingos for much of the year, alongside herons, swamphens and many passage migrants. Bring binoculars.
Is the boardwalk easy?
Yes — it is flat and free, running over the reeds toward the wild beach; ideal in early or late light.