Olhao

Travel Guide
Olhao Municipal Market showing a sunset and night scenes
Browse busy markets, taste freshly caught fish and admire Moorish-style architecture at this port town, the gateway to the nearby Ria Formosa Natural Park.

Take a break from the beach to explore Olhão, the biggest fishing port in the region. Wander around the bustling quayside quarter, soak up the buzzy atmosphere in the municipal markets, discover the narrow streets and Moorish-style architecture of the old town, and take a trip to the peaceful bird-filled islands and lagoons of a nearby natural park.

The people of Olhão have traditionally depended on fishing and it remains a big industry for the town. Visit the Port of Olhão to see fishing boats out on the water then explore the Municipal Markets, where much of the fresh fish is sold. Spread across two red-brick domed buildings, the markets include one for fruit and vegetable and another for seafood.

The town is also home to several buildings of architectural note. Stroll around town and look for the Baroque-style Nossa Senhora do Rosario, which was built in the 17th century and features fresco paintings and lovely carved woodwork. At the back of the church is the Nossa Senhora dos Aflitos chapel, where fishermen’s wives would traditionally have gone to pray for their husbands’ safety on stormy days.

Most tourists who come to Olhãouse it as a jumping-off point from which to explore the nearby Ria Formosa Natural Park, a vast estuarine reserve encompassing lagoons, islands, lakes, marshland and salt pans. Take a boat from the quayside to one of Rio Formosa’s islands. Find pleasant beaches for bathing and swimming on Ilha da Culatra and search the marshland for bird species including ducks, gulls and rare species such as the yellow-legged gallinule.

Another attraction worth visiting is Centro Educação Ambiental de Marim, an interpretation center for the Ria Formosa Natural Park, located less than 2 miles (3 kilometers) from town. Follow a walking trail that winds through several different habitats, including salt marshes and pine woodlands.

Find Olhão in the Algarve, near the Rio Formosa Natural Park. The town is just 30 minutes from the Spanish border by car.

Where to stay in Olhao

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Barranco de São Miguel

When in Barranco de São Miguel, you can plan a visit to Estoi Palace and Ruins of Milreu, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Barranco de São Miguel
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Bela Curral

While Bela Curral may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Olhao Municipal Market and Olhao Harbour.

Bela Curral
Pure Formosa Concept Hotel
Pure Formosa Concept Hotel
3 out of 5
Av. da República 34, Olhao, Faro
The price is €59 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
€59
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Olhao. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (261 reviews)
"Beautiful place, staff make it just that better always willing to help and friendly. The hotel is for sure clean"

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2024

Pure Formosa Concept Hotel
Real Marina Hotel & Spa
Real Marina Hotel & Spa
5 out of 5
Av. 5 de Outubro, 1, Olhao
The price is €104 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
€104
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 5-star spa hotel in Olhao. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (991 reviews)
"Stayed 3 nights in March 2024 - Great hotel - really friendly staff."

Reviewed on 12 Mar 2024

Real Marina Hotel & Spa
Real Marina Residence
Real Marina Residence
4 out of 5
Avenida 5 de Outubro 2, Olhao
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Olhao. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Popular attractions Olhao Municipal Market and Olhao Harbour are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (531 reviews)
"Very nice and spacious apartments, basic kitchen amenities, in a tranquil neighbourhood, would definitely stay again."

Reviewed on 18 Mar 2024

Real Marina Residence
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Estúdios Salinas
Estúdios Salinas
Largo da Igreja, 1, Fuseta, Olhao
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Olhao. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and an airport shuttle. Our guests praise the property condition in our ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (67 reviews)
"Excellent studio room with kitchen especially for the price. Staff was outstanding in particular Johanna who let us check in early. She provided us with a ton of information about restuarants, sights etc. All staff were extremely friendly and cheerful. The town is nice but we mainly stayed here as ..."

Reviewed on 18 Mar 2024

Estúdios Salinas
Real Marina Residence
Real Marina Residence
4 out of 5
Avenida 5 de Outubro 2, Olhao
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Olhao. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Popular attractions Olhao Municipal Market and Olhao Harbour are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (531 reviews)
"Very nice and spacious apartments, basic kitchen amenities, in a tranquil neighbourhood, would definitely stay again."

Reviewed on 18 Mar 2024

Real Marina Residence
Studio for two guests with patio/terrace, air conditioning and wifi
Studio for two guests with patio/terrace, air conditioning and wifi
Olhão
Stay at this apartment in Olhao. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Olhao Harbour and Faro Marina are located nearby. Discover ...
10/10 Exceptional! (34 reviews)
Excellent Stay
"Nelson and Paula are the most perfect hosts, happy to help but also show respect and privacy. Accommodation is modern, clean and everything one or two people would require. Easy 15 min Uber from Faro Airport. 15 min walk to train station and cheap tickets to Tavira (and Tavira Island with amazing ..."

Reviewed on 2 Mar 2024

Studio for two guests with patio/terrace, air conditioning and wifi
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Olhao

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
23
" "5 - Excellent 43.39622641509434%
4 - Good
27
" "4 - Good 50.943396226415096%
3 - Okay
3
" "3 - Okay 5.660377358490566%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
1 Oct 2019

A lovely quite place with so many restaurants to choose from with delicious seafood at reasonable prices. Not many bars but ideal for a short break. Not an English sports bar in sight either! Very much a place that the locals go and a good spot for

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
26 Sep 2019

Very pleasant town to stay in.....lots to see, plenty of places to eat at reasonable prices, interesting old fishing port.

5/5 - Excellent

Rui
17 Aug 2019

Amazing Festival do Marisco.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
17 Aug 2019

The locals are friendly, but you can’t help but feel uncomfortable as a black person walking around there. Definitely explore each island by taking a boat tour. À-do-João Restaurant on faro island was Excellent

5/5 - Excellent

Maria
8 Aug 2019

It was very good. Restaurants excellent and affordable. People friendly and helpful. Only we have problems with the taxis. Very little public transport.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
1 Aug 2019

The restaurants are superb all offering brilliant Portuguese style fresh food from petiscara (tapas) to fresh fish platters to hanging kebabs.