Europe's beautiful “dester islands” have no homes or roads, and their secluded beaches are the quietest beaches in the Algarve.
A strip of water that removes it from the mainland allows natural habitats to thrive, making Balletta a paradise for nature lovers.
The only permanent resident, also known as the abandoned island (Ilha Duterta), is a flamingo or tern, and can roam around the protected nature reserve at Ria Formosa Natural Park.
In fact, the island's largest – only structure is a beach restaurant located on the edge of a wooden boardwalk that serves fresh fish directly from the sea to the dish.
Estamine, the restaurant's solar-powered kitchen, creates “flavors, aromas and textures” that have been passed down from parents, grandparents and friends, based on the resources of the ocean and RIA's horumosa.
Indulge in the feast of abandoned islands and you'll find more than 7km of peaceful coastline. The most pressing issue of the day is deciding where to birdwatch or rent beach umbrellas from local fishermen.
There is also a Santa Maria Boardwalk for when your feet need stretching. This passes through the special flora and birds of this place, including Sardinian warblers and elusive chameleons.
Because the water is clear here, the rare seahorses can even be discovered by a few lucky people while snorkelling on the north side of the island in warm waters.
There is a public ferry that travels from Faro to the island every day, and can take about 35 minutes or rent a boat to travel.
