Praia da Ilha Deserta / Barreta

Faro, Algarve, Portugal

VERIFICERET

Højdepunkter

Remote barrier-island beach within the Ria Formosa Natural Park
Boat access from Faro, with an official tourism source giving a crossing of around 20 minutes
Vast sandy Atlantic-facing beach with Ria Formosa lagoon scenery nearby
Associated with Cabo de Santa Maria, the southernmost point of mainland Portugal
Beach support, restaurant, bar, showers, sunshade rental and nautical activities listed by VisitPortugal
Listed among Faro’s 2026 Blue Flag locations by ABAAE

Fuld beskrivelse

Praia da Ilha Deserta / Barreta is one of Faro’s most distinctive beach experiences, located on Ilha da Barreta within the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Official tourism sources describe the island as one of the barrier islands separating the marshland and lagoon from the sea, with access by boat from Faro and a journey of around 20 minutes. This is a very different beach from Faro’s urban and road-access beaches. The setting is open, low, sandy and natural, with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Ria Formosa’s channels, marshes and birdlife on the other. VisitPortugal notes that the island has a vast sandy beach and no other construction apart from beach-support infrastructure, giving it the remote character behind its popular name, Ilha Deserta. Barreta is especially suited to visitors who want a quieter island beach day, long walks, photography, Ria Formosa scenery and a sense of distance from the city while remaining accessible from Faro by boat. The area is also associated with Cabo de Santa Maria, identified by regional tourism as the southernmost point of mainland Portugal. ABAAE lists Barreta among Faro’s 2026 Blue Flag locations and provides official coordinates. However, the individual ABAAE page checked displayed inconsistent season-date text, so exact bathing-season and Blue Flag-display dates should be manually confirmed before publication updates. Facilities and services should be treated as seasonal, and visitors should plan around boat times, heat, wind and tide conditions.

Mødested

Praia da Ilha Deserta / Barreta, Ilha da Barreta, Faro, Algarve, Portugal

Åbn i Google Maps

Vigtig information

Suitable for

Visitors staying in Faro
Travellers seeking a quieter island beach
Couples
Photographers
Nature-focused visitors
Birdwatching visitors
Beach walkers
Visitors comfortable with boat access and a less urban setting

Ikke egnet til

Visitors who need direct road access to the beach
Visitors who do not want to depend on boat schedules
Visitors requiring fully verified accessible-beach support
Visitors expecting extensive resort infrastructure
Those unprepared for sun exposure, wind or walking on sand

Inkluderer

Blue Flag 2026 listing

Seasonal beach surveillance

Sunshade rental

Light boat rental

Showers

Bar and restaurant

Windsurfing and sailing

Boat access from Faro

Ria Formosa Natural Park context

Bedste tidspunkt at besøge

June to September for the main seasonal boat-and-beach period indicated by official tourism sources. May, June and September are often more comfortable for walking, photography and a quieter island atmosphere.

Godt at vide før du tager afsted

ABAAE lists Barreta among Faro’s 2026 Blue Flag locations. The individual ABAAE Barreta page checked during research showed inconsistent season-date text, so exact 2026 bathing-season and Blue Flag-display dates should be manually confirmed before publication updates. Access depends on boat services from Faro; visitors should confirm departure times and last return before travelling. The island is part of the Ria Formosa Natural Park, so visitors should protect dunes, marshland, birdlife and marked paths. Facilities and surveillance may be seasonal and should be checked before visiting outside the main summer period. The beach is remote by Algarve standards; bring water, sun protection and essentials. Sea, wind and tide conditions can vary; visitors should follow local signage, flags and official safety guidance. Do not walk across protected dunes or disturb birds and other wildlife.