Description Vila Real de Santo António

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Vila Real de Santo António is a Portuguese city in the District of Faro, region and sub-region of the Algarve, with about 11 900 inhabitants. It is the seat of a municipality with 61.25 km² of area (Source: INE) and 19 156 inhabitants (Source: INE / Censos 2011), subdivided into 3 parishes.

It is one of the few municipalities in Portugal territorially discontinuous, dividing into a western portion, the parish of Vila Nova de Cacela, and an eastern portion, where the city and Monte Gordo are located. The eastern part is limited to the north and west by the municipality of Castro Marim, to the east by the Guadiana River, which defines the border with Spain, municipality of Ayamonte, and to the south it has a coastline on the Atlantic Ocean; the western part is limited to the north and east by Castro Marim, to the west by Tavira and to the south it has a coastline on the Atlantic Ocean. Wikipedia

Faro has been the capital of the Algarve since 1756, where the Ria Formosa - considered the most important wildlife sanctuary in the Algarve - reaches its maximum width. One of the last places in Europe to preserve its coastal strip composed of lagoons, channels, islets and marshes intact, surrounds this important city, extending further east to Manta Rota (near Vila Real de Santo António). About 1500 species of living beings find refuge in these 18,400 hectares of wetland that extend over 60 km.

From the historic route of Faro, in the heart of the Old Town, the Cathedral, the Episcopal Palace (17th century) that surrounds it, and the Arco da Vila stand out. Outside the walls, the Church of São Francisco (18th century), the Church of São Pedro and the Igreja do Carmo complete a generous set of religious buildings. The city's living room is the Jardim Manuel Bívar, as well as the elegant and busy street of Santo António (closed to traffic), full of shops and restaurants. At the municipal market (Largo Sá Carneiro) you can find fresh food and crafts, and at the Santo António hermitage, be sure to enjoy the beautiful view over the sea and the salt flats.

The beach (8 km away) is a large stretch of sand separated from the land by the estuary, with animation and excellent conditions for sailing or for an interesting and relaxing walk or boat. The islands around Faro are a characteristic of this city embraced by the Ria Formosa, and it is only 45 minutes by boat (from Faro or Olhão), on the island of Culatra, which is the southernmost point in Portuguese territory. There, the lighthouse of Cabo de Santa Maria rises, with a tower visible from both Faro and Olhão.

Very close, visit the Roman complex of Milreu (1st or 2nd centuries). Although the baths still have the original tiles, most of the moving parts can be found in the Archaeological Museum of Faro.

Leaving Faro, and walking east, go through Olhão, the Cubist village and Tavira, one of the most typical cities in the Algarve where the beauty of the salt flats stands out.

In gastronomy, the puff cakes, Dom Rodrigos, stews, fish dishes, the wine of the region and the lamb leg dish in the pan, are delights not to be missed.