Fuseta or Fuzeta, a place worth visiting at the Algarve, Portugal
Finding an excellent place to go at a reasonable price in the Algarve requires little effort. You need to steer clear of the most touristic destinations and consider Fuseta.
Fuseta, alternatively spelled Fuzeta, remains a forgotten gem in Algarve travel plans, but it shouldn’t be overlooked.
The village offers more than the typical beach destination experience.
Nestled as a small fishing village by the sea, or more precisely, by the sea-river Formosa, it presents a unique blend of beach and marsh landscapes teeming with biodiversity.
Armona’s sand island is opposite the Ria Formosa (1), boasting expansive beaches with minimal crowds.
While Armona Island’s allure is undeniable due to its beauty, the need to take a ferry across the “ria” deters many potential tourists from visiting Fuseta.
Fuseta, the village itself
The village itself isn’t the most exciting destination to visit.
One can imagine that the village evolved from a fishing village due to the rising demand for summer houses.
However, this development occurred without adequate architectural supervision from local authorities—or at least, not enough supervision.
Consequently, the village is filled with old buildings that have potential interest but fail to live up to it.
Instead, what one finds are numerous aluminum doors and windows, houses that appear out of sync with the surroundings, and so on.
Nevertheless, the positive aspect of this situation is that the natural setting outside the village compensates for these shortcomings and offers much more.
Moinho das Marés lodging
I recommend staying at “Moinho das Marés,” (2) an old tide mill beautifully converted into summer lodging.
By staying here, you gain access to an area where a colony of flamingos resides for most of the year.
You can easily approach flamingos to capture photographs, even without expensive nature or bird photography equipment.
In addition to flamingos, the area hosts various other bird species, although I’m not an expert on identifying them.
The lodging itself is charming, simple, functional, and impeccably clean, meeting more than just your basic needs.
Both the wifi and air conditioning function well, and outside, you’ll find chairs and a table for relaxation, although I primarily used them for writing in the early morning.
This is a highly private location with only 3 or 4 bedrooms, along with a delightful restaurant and bar, all within an enclosed area.
If you’re passionate about photography, this place is a must-visit.
As the surroundings are water-rich, mosquitoes can be bothersome, but the rooms are equipped with mosquito nets on the windows for your safety.
Simply carry insect repellent when venturing outside, especially during sunset, and you’ll be fine.
An advertisement or a genuine review?
Although this may read like an advertisement, it genuinely reflects my experiences each time I’ve stayed here.
I’ve never received a single free night, nor am I receiving any compensation for this endorsement.
In summary, it’s a truly beautiful place to stay.
If you’re interested in experiencing this adventure or any other from my repertoire, feel free to contact me via my travel agency, Iberactive.
Enjoy your time,
David Monteiro
(1) A “ria” is akin to a river (known as “rio” in Portuguese), yet it is characterized by water flowing from the sea. Sea-river.
(2) Moinho das Marés: the translation for “moinho de maré” is tide mill.
