Olhao

Travel Guide

Olhao showing a city and a sunset
Olhao Municipal Market showing a sunset and night scenes
Fuzeta Beach featuring a beach and general coastal views as well as a small group of people
Olhao
Fuzeta Beach which includes waves and general coastal views as well as a family

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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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 Ria Formosa Natural Park and Olhao Municipal Market.

Bela Curral
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Barranco de São Miguel

When in Barranco de São Miguel, you can plan a visit to Ria Formosa Natural Park and Moncarapacho Museum and Chapel, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Barranco de São Miguel
Pure Formosa Concept Hotel
Pure Formosa Concept Hotel
3 out of 5
Av. da República 34, Olhao, Faro
The price is €139 per night from 2 Jul to 3 Jul
€139
2 Jul - 3 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Olhao. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (484 reviews)
"Amazing hotel, so clean,"

Reviewed on 27 Jun 2025

Pure Formosa Concept Hotel
B&B HOTEL Olhao Algarve
B&B HOTEL Olhao Algarve
3 out of 5
Av D Joao VI 100, Olhao, Faro District
The price is €105 per night from 8 Jul to 9 Jul
€105
8 Jul - 9 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Olhao. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Olhao Harbour and Faro Marina are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (98 reviews)
"Was very good for the money. Very new and clean, quiet Breakfast was very good. Over all great stay."

Reviewed on 5 Jun 2025

B&B HOTEL Olhao Algarve
Real Marina Hotel & Spa
Real Marina Hotel & Spa
5 out of 5
Av. 5 de Outubro, 1, Olhao
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is €190 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
€190
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
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! (993 reviews)
Real good for me
"Friendly staff good food and a pleasant ambience. A lovely place to stay"

Reviewed on 24 Jun 2025

Real Marina Hotel & Spa
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
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Olhao. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (97 reviews)
"Very enjoyable stay in this hotel. Beautiful room in a perfect area. Staff very welcoming and friendly. Hotel located a 2 minute walk from the centre of the town and other bigger towns/cities are a short drive or taxi away. Would highly recommend this hotel and this town in general for anyone looking ..."

Reviewed on 1 May 2025

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 (surcharge). Popular attractions Olhao Harbour and Faro Marina are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (573 reviews)
"Great location"

Reviewed on 7 May 2025

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, laundry facilities, and patios. Popular attractions Olhao Harbour and Faro Marina are located nearby.
10/10 Exceptional! (46 reviews)
Cosy clean apartment
"The hosts were lovely and very communicative even before we arrived and the check in process was seamless and the apartment was as described. It’s small just cosy and just right for short stays. It’s in a good location and we walked everywhere as there’s a lot nearby."

Reviewed on 21 Mar 2025

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%
4 - Good
27
4 - Good 51%
3 - Okay
3
3 - Okay 6%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

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

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

Amazing Festival do Marisco.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

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

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

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