The Eastern Algarve stretches from Faro to Spain and enjoys a magnificent coastline of rare natural beauty. The region is generally less crowded and has fewer foreign tourists than other areas of the Algarve, and this combined with its impressive beaches and warmer waters makes the Eastern Algarve the region of choice for many of the Portuguese holidaymakers.

The Eastern Algarve owes much of its heritage to the sea and historic fishing ports punctuate the coastline. The quaint old town of Tavira, who's fishing industry dates back to the Moors, and Villa Real de Santo António, famous for its tuna, are just two excellent examples worth visiting. Olhão, just east of Faro, is the largest, however, and fish landed here is sold throughout Portugal.

Much of the coastline is made up of saltpans, marshes and logons and constitutes the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve. The Reserve stretches from Quinta do Lago in the Central Algarve, to Manta Rota not far from the Spanish boarder, and is regarded to be one of the most important wetland areas in Europe.

Perhaps the most impressive beach in the Eastern Algarve is on the Ilha de Tavira, a long sand spit stretching west from Tavira. The spit or island can only be reached by ferry from Tavira, but with kilometres of secluded golden beaches, it's well worth the effort.

Vila Real de Santo António is an attractive town bordering Spain, while its neighbour, Monte Gordo, with its popular Casino, is rather overdeveloped.