Ria Formosa has been named one of Europe’s best places for birdwatching, coming 10th in a ranking of destinations around the world.

The lagoon, which stretches along around 60 kilometres of the Algarve coast, scored 42.4 points out of 100 in research carried out by AllClear Travel Insurance. The study looked at 115 established birdwatching destinations across six continents.

It isn’t simply about how many birds you might see.

Researchers considered the number of species recorded at each destination and the chances of seeing more unusual species, but also looked at the practical side of a birdwatching trip. Weather, rainfall, wind, distance from the nearest airport and the average daily cost for visitors all counted towards the final score.

Ria Formosa’s mild climate and proximity to Faro Airport helped, but its birdlife did much of the heavy lifting.

The study recorded 257 species in the area, including 124 classed as notable.

Flamingos, spoonbills and a very colourful local

For anyone who has spent time around Ria Formosa, some of its regular visitors will already be familiar.

Greater flamingos can be spotted feeding in the shallow water, alongside spoonbills, herons, avocets, black-winged stilts and a long list of other waterbirds.

Then there is the purple swamphen, or caimão, with its deep blue-purple feathers, bright red bill and extremely long red legs. It has become one of the most recognisable birds in the lagoon and is the symbol of Ria Formosa Natural Park.

The importance of the area goes well beyond the ranking.

Portugal’s Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests describes Ria Formosa as the most important wetland in the south of the country. Its combination of salt marshes, mudflats, dunes, salt pans and lagoons provides habitat for both resident birds and species travelling between Europe and Africa.

That means the view changes with the seasons.

Autumn brings birds heading south on migration, while thousands of waterbirds arrive from northern Europe during winter. Spring sees other migratory species return as the breeding season begins.

Where to see them

There is no single entrance to Ria Formosa, which is part of its appeal.

Quinta de Marim in Olhão is a good starting point, with trails running through salt marshes, lagoons, woodland and salt pans.

Further west, Ludo and Quinta do Lago are known for flamingos, ducks, herons and purple swamphens. Tavira’s salt pans are another favourite, particularly for flamingos and wading birds, while Cacela Velha offers a very different perspective from above the lagoon.

Timing matters too. At low tide, exposed mudflats become feeding grounds, while the incoming tide can push birds closer to the shore.

Ria Formosa was the only Portuguese destination to make the European top 15. Sweden’s Falsterbo Peninsula took first place, followed by Titchwell Marsh in England. Fair Isle in Scotland came third.

And although Ria Formosa finished 10th overall, it placed ahead of some very well-known European birdwatching areas, including France’s Camargue and Spain’s Ebro Delta.

For an Algarve attraction that doesn’t require a sun lounger, a tee time or even particularly good weather, binoculars might be all that’s needed.