A small island in the Atlantic is stunning and attracts few tourists despite its 30C spring temperature.
Ilha Armona is one of a group of five tiny islands off the coast of the Algarve in Portugal. They make up the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa. Visitors can get to the island via a short ferry or water taxi ride from the nearby coastal cities of Faro and Olhão, costing just a few euros.
Temperatures on the island stay warm throughout the year, with the maximum average temperature in April being 30C. It can also reach a top average of 32C in the summer and drop to 26C in the winter.
It is six miles long and up to half a mile wide, meaning it could take less than two hours to walk the length of the island.
Ilha Armano has a handful of cafes and restaurants to enjoy throughout the day, spread out across the sandy beach which goes along the entire island.
Due to its size, the Atlantic-facing beach is pristine and uncrowded, especially outside of the busiest summer season. It makes it a popular day trip for those holidaying in the Algarve.
There are also four other small islands to visit in the coastal group – Ilha Barreta, Ilha Culatera, Ilha do Coco and Ilha Tavira.
They make up the Ria Formosa lagoon, a system of barrier islands that was recognised as one of Portugal’s seven natural wonders in 2010. It can be a great place for bird-spotting, with 30,000 birds observed throughout the year.
One person who visited Ilha Armona said on Tripadvisor that the island, with its “white powdery sands and clear blue sea” was a place of “peace and serenity with no roads” that’s “never overcrowded”.
Another noted that, despite its beauty, tourists need to remember to bring everything they need for a day out due to the lack of facilities on the island – such as parasols, food and drinks.
Those wishing to visit can fly directly to the nearby Faro Airport from Bristol, Luton, Gatwick, Manchester and London. A return flight in April can be as low as £71 with easyJet or Jet2.
Many who visit choose to stay in Faro, Olhão and the surrounding area as there are only a handful of places to stay on the island.
There are lots of hotels, Airbnbs and holiday lets to stay in on the mainland.