Introduction
So what are the 9 best things to do in Olhao?
Well, you can eat, you can drink, you can look at churches and Moorish architecture, or you can check out the graffiti – there are many options.
But all these things I cover elsewhere in this blog: my favourite places to eat in Olhao, my favourite places to drink, the best things to see…
And Olhao isn’t really about doing stuff. It’s more about living, enjoying the atmosphere, enjoying the food.
So here I’m going to tell you about things you can do FROM Olhao, with Olhao as your base.
But to start, these are my thoughts on Olhao:
I’ve heard it said that Olhao is boring, that it’s a working town, full of fishermen, that it has no beach, that it’s rundown, that it’s ugly, that it’s a mess, that there’s nothing to do.
But all of that is what makes it interesting!
Olhao is full of things that you don’t find anywhere else. It doesn’t try to impress you with touristy stuff – although there’s plenty to see. It doesn’t try and pretend to be what it’s not, and it certainly doesn’t try and rip you off.
What it does do though, is hide what is best about itself.
You have to scrape the surface and look for what lies underneath.
It’s a town that you either like or don’t, a town that you either fall in love with or hate.
Personally, I know which side of the fence I’m sitting on!
Olhao is a fantastic place, with so much to do – a lot of which you’d never find without scraping that surface…
Wander around the Municipal Market
The smells, the colours, the vibrancy…
I love the Mercado Municipale in Olhao, probably the most famous of the markets on the Algarve.
Originating in 1866 (with the current buildings opening in 1916), it was renovated in 1998. Having been designed by Gustave Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame), the market comprises two large, red brick buildings with domed towers on each corner.
Dominating the waterfront in Olhao, as well as the town itself, locals (and tourists alike) flock here to do their weekly shopping.
There is always a buzz: people chatting, looking, standing, buying.
This is especially true on a Saturday morning, when a large outdoor market is set up between the Mercado and the waterfront. Well worth a visit!
Concerning the Mercado Municipale itself, the building nearest the ferry terminal offers fresh fruit and veg, honey, nuts, spices, meat (from the Talhos). The building furthest away from the ferry terminal offers fish and seafood.
If you want to see Olhao at its finest, then head to the Mercado Municipale. It represents Olhao, typifies what it’s all about.
Mercado Municipal
Opening hours: 7am-1pm, closed Sundays
Address: Avenida 5 de Outubro, Olha
Head out to the Islands
Olhao doesn’t have its own beach. It’s a fishing port.
As part of the current waterfront renovations, they’re actually going to manufacture one I believe, but it doesn’t exist as yet.
The nearest mainland beaches can be found in Fuseta and Faro (accessible by train/bus/car), or you can take a walk or a cycle ride to Praia dos Cavacos – a small strip of beach lying between Olhao and Fuseta, overlooking the Ilha da Armona. But that’s all this beach is, just a small strip of sand. There are no bars, no restaurants, no facilities at all except for a car park and the beach itself.
However, Olhao holds a secret: one that the Portuguese know about, as do those tourists lucky enough to have stumbled across it.
Olhao is the gateway to some of the best beaches in Europe.
Take a trip out to the islands: Armona, Culatra, Farol. Walk across to the Atlantic side and enjoy miles of empty, shell-speckled sand.
Even in high season, if you’re happy to walk a little way, you’ll find that you have the beach virtually to yourself.
Take a sun brolly and a picnic, and spend the day alone, enjoying the simple pleasures of lying in the sun, dipping in and out of the sea to cool off, shell seeking, reading…
I can tell you, you won’t be disappointed!
But there’s more to these islands. They’re not just about the beaches.
There are fishermen’s huts, now acting as holiday homes for some, and full-time homes for others. It’s worth wandering around just to have a look. There are restaurants and bars for you to while away your time with excellent seafood and a glass of cold wine. There are events taking place – the Ilha da Fuseta (actually just the other end of the Ilha da Armona) had the National kite-surfing championships this year.
Just go and have a look. It will be worth it!
To get the Islands, head to the ferry terminal – you can see it from the market place.
Once there, you can choose whether to take a ferry (the cheaper, slower option) or a water taxi (the more expensive, more exhilarating option!).
Make the most of the Ria Formosa Natural Park
The Ria Formosa is a wonderful place: a lagoon protected from the vagaries of the Atlantic Ocean by five Barrier islands.
Its many landscapes provide the perfect environment for birds, tourists and locals alike. The diversity of flora and fauna is incredible!
You’ll find stunning beaches. You’ll find wetlands – offering areas of both salt and freshwater habitats.
There are saltpans, mudflats, agricultural areas. There are paths and tracks.
For the locals, the Ria Formosa is their livelihood:
There are oyster beds;
People dig for clams at low tide;
Small fishing boats head out to sea (fishing as they’ve done for many years);
Dredgers dredge the lagoon to ensure that the pathways to the sea (the livelihood of the local fishermen) remain open;
Tour guides show off the wonders of the area…
For tourists, the Ria Formosa is a playground:
There’s birdwatching;
You can search for chameleons…
…or look for seahorses;
You can kitesurf and kayak;
You can paddleboard and swim;
There are excursions to be taken;
…or you can simply sit and watch what is going on around you whilst soaking up the sun…
The Ria Formosa is truly a fantastic place.
So what’s the best way to see it?
Take an Excursion
If you wander down to the ferry terminal on the waterfront in Olhao, you’ll find a number of operators selling boat tours from numerous kiosks. There are so many different options:
Beach Picnic Tours
Secluded Beach Tours
Seahorse Observation Tours
Full-Day Island Tours
Kayak Tours
Dolphin Safaris
Bird Watching Tours
Sailing Tours
Sport Fishing…
You’ll find something to suit every budget and every taste, but the tours listed here aren’t the only show in town!
You can also make the most of:
Tuk Tuk Tours
Wine Tasting Tours
Olive Oil Tours
Horse Riding Tours
Quad Bike Tours
Canning Factory Tours
Tours of other towns in the area: Faro, Tavira, Cacela Velha…
Here’s a list of some of the operators:
Captain Steve Boat Tours
Phone: +351 966 034 723
Website: Captain Steve Boat Tours
Sabino Boat Tours
Phone: +351 915 661 860
Website: Sabino Boat Tours
Passeios Boat Tours
Phone: +351 962 156 922
Website: Passeios Boat Tours
Lovetuk Olhao
Phone: +351 962329606
Website: Lovetuk Olhao
Portugal Safaris
Phone: +351 910666900
Website: Portugal Safaris
Go for a Bike Ride
Olhao finds itself on the Ecovia Litoral, the cycleway that runs from Vila Real de Santo Antonio in the east, all the way to the west coast of Portugal.
The Ecovia Litoral runs right through the Ria Formosa, and provides an easy way to enjoy nature at its best.
Currently, I’d recommend going east from Olhao.
To the west is Faro, but there is no direct cycle route without travelling along the fast and furious EN125. My understanding though is that they are intending to build a path that connects Olhao to Faro in the very near future. Fingers crossed!
Going east (dependent on which way you go, and whether you can find your way, since it’s not very well sign-posted…) you’ll find:
The port, the industrial side of Olhao, the canneries;
The Quinta da Marim*;
A house located in the middle of Olhao’s campsite, the house of Joao Lucio (famed poet, born in Olhao) featuring a free museum with exhibits on his life;
The Praia dos Cavacos – a small beach;
Saltpans;
The old abandoned lifeboat station that sits on the beach in Fuseta, visible from a couple of miles away. It looms ever larger as you head towards the village;
Then Santa Luzia, Tavira, Cabanas…
And if you get tired? Just cycle up to the nearest train station and catch the train back to Olhao. It’s not expensive.
Seahorse Bike Rental
Opening Hours: 10am-6pm Closed Sundays
Address: Avenida 5 de Outubro Jardim Patrão Joaquim Lopes, 8700-302, Portugal
Phone: +351 911 818 113
Website: Seahorse Bike Rental
Casa Joao Lucio/Ecoteca de Olhao
Opening Hours: 09:00 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 17:30 weekdays
Address: Rua de Santo Cristo – João Lúcio, olhao
Phone: +351289700940
Website: The House of Joao Lucio
Quinta da Marim:
Opening hours: 8am-8pm
Address: 8700-225 Quelfes, Portugal
*The Quinta da Marim – a stunning 60-hectare Centro Educação Ambiental de Marim, the headquarters of the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa. It’s an educational centre, showing off various ecosystems, providing hides for both freshwater and saltwater bird watching, as well as a well-maintained example of a tidal mill. There’s also a Wildlife Rescue Centre, although I don’t believe that this is open to the public, since the convalescence of the animals is more important than our inquisitiveness.
Go for a walk
Of course, you don’t need to cycle. I often walk from Olhao to Fuseta or vice versa. It takes me a couple of hours, and it’s great to get away from the hustle and bustle of Olhao and enjoy the peace and quiet of the Ria Formosa.
The Quinta da Marim isn’t too far from the centre of Olhao – 3km I’ve been told, but I’m not sure it’s that far – and there are two or three small local restaurants near the entrance. So maybe a walk to Quinta da Marim in the morning followed by lunch?
Sounds like a nice day out to me!
But don’t feel that the only direction to walk is east towards Fuseta.
Why not simply walk around the town?
Take a wander through the pedestrianised area across the road from the Municipal Market, a small maze of shops and restaurants;
Stroll up the Avenida da Republica;
Head to the port and watch the fishing boats unloading their catch;
Wander around the intricate lanes and paths through the historic old town, enjoying the cubist architecture – and try not to get lost!;
Follow the Caminho das Lendas – The Path of Legends
Walking is a great way to see the town.
Make the most of one of the many Watersports
Of course, you’d expect water sports to be a big thing in any coastal town, but surprisingly, not in Olhao.
It’s a fishing port. Large fishing boats head out to sea, ferries run between the islands, water taxis speed across the water, pleasure boats zip to deserted beaches.
It’s not a great place for watersports.
But head out to the islands or Fuseta? It’s a different matter!
Hire a paddleboard or a kayak. Go kite surfing.
There are lots of options!
Tours Ria Formosa
Address: Cais de Embarque de Turismo Avenida 5 de Outubro 8700 306 Olhão, Portugal
Phone: +351 925906445
Website: Tours Ria Formosa
Islands Route – Rota das Ilhas
Address: Cais de Embarque de Turismo Avenida 5 de Outubro 8700 306 Olhão, Portugal
Phone: +351 918 707 405, +351 915 930 302
Website: Rotas das Ilhas
Sabino Boat Tours
Address: Av. 5 de Outubro, Jardim Patrão Joaquim Lopes, Cais, Olhão 8700-302 Portugal
Phone: +351 915 661 860
Website: Sabino Boat Tours
Passeios Ria Formosa
Address: Urbanização Atalaia Mar Lote M2.1, Bias do Sul, 8700-129 Moncarapacho
Phone: (+351) 962 156 922 / (+351) 961 189 857
Website: Passeois Ria Formosa
Sales kiosk: Avenida 5 de Outubro (in front of Real Marina Hotel)
Go bird watching
Bird watching… not something everyone has an urge to do, but once you’ve been to the Ria Formosa and seen a flock of Flamingos circling above your head, before fluttering down into one of the remote Salinas – and you’re the only one to witness it, you might be hooked…
The Ria Formosa provides some of the most important wetlands in Europe, with both saltwater and freshwater areas within walking distance of Olhao.
These provide ideal conditions for bird watching, with both resident and migratory birds in abundance.
I’ll be honest here, I don’t know a huge amount about birds, but I’ve certainly taken more of an interest since coming to the area and seeing what it has to offer.
I see flamingos almost daily – Greater Flamingos apparently. I’ve seen black-wing stilts, Eurasian spoonbills, oystercatchers, white storks, cattle egrets, little stints and many more.
If bird watching is your thing, then you can do a lot worse than come to Olhao! And don’t forget your camera!
Watch an Event
I’m always amazed by how much is going on in Olhao. I don’t go looking for it. I just wander out of my house and go for a stroll.
The waterfront is great for this:
Once I stumbled across a stage on which teams of dancers were performing, teams from all over the region come to compete against each other;
On occasions I’ve watched concerts put on by the local Freguesia;
I’ve seen a re-enactment of the French marching through the town (after the locals licked them out back in 1808!);
Every year, I watch pirates running around the waterfront, celebrating the Festival Pirata;
I’ve seen religious processions…
Probably the biggest event of the year is the seafood festival – Festival do Marisco – held every August on the waterfront in the Jardim Pescador Olhanense.
Thousands of people descend on the town to enjoy the delights of Olhao’s seafood cuisine. With live music each night (mainly Portuguese artists, but this year a Queen tribute band closed the festival – the place rocked!) it’s just one big party! Definitely worth a visit!
This year has also seen Olhao’s International Festival of Cinema and Literature, as well as Poesia a Sul (a week of poetry from internationally renowned poets).
For a small, gritty fishing port, a lot goes on!
