Things to Do in Olhao, Algarve

Olhão is the Algarve’s biggest fishing port and one of its most authentic towns. It’s a maze of cube-shaped houses with roof terraces, twin red-brick market halls on the waterfront, and ferries out to car-free islands in the Ria Formosa. Here are the best things to do in Olhão.

Quick answer: visit the waterfront markets (best on a Saturday morning), wander the old fishermen’s quarter, take the ferry to Armona or Culatra for empty beaches, and eat seafood by the water. Olhão is about 15 minutes from Faro by train or car. See places to stay in Olhão.

Things to do

• The markets: two red-brick halls on the seafront, one for fish and one for fruit and vegetables. On Saturdays, a big farmers’ market spills outside.
• The old town: narrow lanes of whitewashed cube houses with flat roof terraces, giving Olhão a North African feel.
• The islands: ferries cross the lagoon to Armona and Culatra, with long sandy beaches and simple seafood restaurants. See ferries in Portugal.
• Ria Formosa boat trips: birdwatching, oyster farms and island hopping. See Ria Formosa tours.
• Seafood: clams, oysters, octopus and cataplana in the waterfront restaurants. See the seafood guide.
• The waterfront gardens and the marina promenade.

Why stay in Olhão?

Olhão is a real working town, with fewer resorts than the central Algarve. It’s well connected by train to Faro and Tavira, so it makes a good base for the eastern Algarve. See where to stay in the Algarve.

Nearby

• Faro: see things to do in Faro.
• Tavira: see Tavira and the eastern Algarve.
• Ria Formosa Natural Park: see wildlife in Portugal.

From our sister blog: Olhão, the hidden gem of the Algarve on Sunset Travellers.

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