Formosa Beach

Formosa Beach is located in the parish of Almagreira, municipality of Vila do Porto, on the island of Santa Maria, in the Azores. For its defence, and along the river that flows into it, already in the fifteenth or sixteenth century was built the Fort of St. John Baptist Beach Formosa, also known as Castle Beach, possibly the oldest of the archipelago. Nowadays, the beach has a campsite. Next to the beach is held annually the Maré de Agosto Festival, the oldest and most prominent musical event in the archipelago. This beach is characterized by a one-kilometre long sandy beach, clear and warm waters and clear sands due to the presence of limestone particles, making it one of the archipelago's most desirable bathing areas.