Olhão travel guide (2025)

Olhão is the largest fishing port of the Algarve, while it still has that authentic Algarve charm. Just 10 minutes from Faro, Olhão is known for its vibrant waterfront markets, traditional seafood cuisine, and as the perfect launch point to explore the stunning Ria Formosa Natural Park. Moreover, it provides direct access to some of Portugal’s most beautiful island beaches. Whether you are planning a boat trip to Ilha da Armona, wandering through historic cobbled streets, or indulging in the freshest shellfish in the Algarve, Olhão offers a refreshingly local and laid-back escape. This guide covers everything you need to plan your visit to Olhão.

In this article about Olhão you will find:

• Handpicked local tips you won’t find anywhere else
• Best beaches and natural attractions​
• Top historical sites and cultural landmarks​
• Top recommendations for hotels, dining, and excursions

Why visit Olhão

• Gateway to paradise – Olhão is the launchpad to Armona and other pristine Ria Formosa islands, with some of the best beaches in the Algarve.
• Authentic fishing culture – with working docks, bustling fish markets, and historic charm, Olhão offers a glimpse into traditional Algarve life.
• Seafood capital – fresh oysters, clams, and grilled fish are a daily highlight, especially during the annual Seafood Festival.
• Ria Formosa nature reserve – birdwatchers and nature lovers will love exploring this peaceful lagoon landscape, best seen by boat or bike.
• Affordable and uncrowded – compared to coastal resorts, Olhão feels local and relaxed, with great value dining and accommodation.

Are you curious to quickly see the highlights of Olhão? Then watch the short video below.

 

What to see in Olhão

The municipal market

A visit to Olhão isn’t complete without visiting the municipal market (in Portuguese: mercado municipal). The municipal market is located on the street Avenida 5 de Outubro, near the waterfront. It actually consists of two markets: the fruits/vegetables market and the fish market, each with a separate red-brick building.

The buildings are built in 1915 and have been renovated in 1997. Around the municipal market you can find several bars, where you could eat or drink and enjoy the view over the sea. On Saturdays, there is also an outside market on the street, with a selection of local goods, accessories and clothes. The Saturday market of Olhão is one of the biggest markets of fresh products in the Algarve.

The fruits and vegetables market

In the fruits and vegetables market you can find all sorts of fresh products. You can also find flowers, dried fruits, meat, nuts and traditional sweets here. Many locals come to this market to buy their fruits and vegetables.

The fish market

The fish market in Olhão is the biggest and most interesting fish market of the Algarve. There are so many different types of fish to choose from, including sardines, octopus, clams and eels. The best time to visit the fish market is on Saturday morning.

Fishermen’s Harbor of Olhão

Olhão’s harbor is the heart of the town, with fishing boats coming and going, nets drying on the quay, and crews unloading the daily catch. It’s right next to the red-brick market halls on Avenida 5 de Outubro, so you can see the landings and then walk straight into the fish market. The sounds, smells, and busy boatyards give you a real glimpse into the fishing life that defines Olhão.

Our Lady of the Rosary Church

Within a short walking distance from the municipal market you can find a church, called Our Lady of the Rosary Church (in Portuguese: Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Rosário). This church is the most impressive building of Olhão. It was built at the end of the 17th century / beginning of the 18th century. Inside you can see beautiful gilt carved woodwork (18th century) and a vault with fresco paintings. You can also go up to the bell tower. From there you can enjoy an excellent view over the town and the Ria Formosa. The church is well maintained and attracts many tourists who are visiting the historical centre of Olhão.

On the back side of the church, you can find the chapel of Nosso Senhor dos Aflitos. This was the place where the fishermen’s wives used to pray in stormy days for the safety of their husbands out at sea. It was also used to pray for the sick and wounded. From this side of the church you see the main street of Olhão, Avenida da República.

Municipal museum of Olhão

Across the front of the Our Lady of the Rosary Church, you can find the Casa do Compromisso Marítimo. This building is from the 18th century and was initially meant to support local fishermen. Nowadays, this building serves as the municipal museum of Olhão (in Portuguese: museu municipal de Olhão). This museum has a small exposition of archaeological materials and information about the history of Olhão. Although everything in this museum is written only in Portuguese, you can still work out what the exhibits are. Entrance to the museum is free.

On the back side of the church, you can find the chapel of Nosso Senhor dos Aflitos. This was the place where the fishermen’s wives used to pray in stormy days for the safety of their husbands out at sea. It was also used to pray for the sick and wounded. From this side of the church you see the main street of Olhão, Avenida da República.

Municipal museum of Olhão

Across the front of the Our Lady of the Rosary Church, you can find the Casa do Compromisso Marítimo. This building is from the 18th century and was initially meant to support local fishermen. Nowadays, this building serves as the municipal museum of Olhão (in Portuguese: museu municipal de Olhão). This museum has a small exposition of archaeological materials and information about the history of Olhão. Although everything in this museum is written only in Portuguese, you can still work out what the exhibits are. Entrance to the museum is free.

Parks

On each side of the municipal market there is a park. One is called Jardim Pescador Olhanense and the other one is called Jardim Patrão Joaquim Lopes. In these parks you can sit or take a seaside walk. You will find plenty of shops, restaurants and bars in this area.

Azulejos (tiles)

In Olhão, you can find several ceramic tiles, depicting important historic events of the town. These typical Portuguese tiles are called azulejos. They also serve as benches to sit.

Another one:

Caíque Bom Sucesso

Near the municipal market, you can see a boat in the water. This type of boat is called a caíque and the name of this boat was Bom Sucesso (translated as good luck).

In July 1808, 17 fishermen used the Bom Sucesso to sail from Olhão across the Atlantic Ocean, all the way to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. They reached their destination (without modern navigation) and it took them 3 months to do so. They wanted to tell the Portuguese king Dom João VI (who was in refuge in Brazil at the time) of the defeat of the French invaders and Napoleon. The boat you can see in Olhão is an exact replica of the original boat. Can you imagine travelling from Portugal to Brazil in this boat?

Monterosa olive oil farm

Not too far from Olhão you can find the Monterosa olive oil farm. You can do an olive oil tour, where they show you how they make olive oil. The tour is very interesting and well worth it. You will learn all about the process of making olive oil. At the end, you can taste the olive oil and of course buy it. Their olive oil tastes spectacular. It is located in the village of Moncarapacho, which is part of the municipality of Olhão, and is about 10 kilometres to the northeast of the town of Olhão.

Ria Formosa Natural Park

You can visit the natural park of Ria Formosa. This is a series of lagoons and island along the coastline of the Algarve. The best way to explore the Ria Formosa is by boat. There are a number of boat excursions in the area. Another way is to take a walk in the Ria Formosa at Quinta do Marim. Here you can see beautiful nature and tide mills and Portuguese water dogs.

The nature in Ria Formosa is unspoiled. You can also see a variety of wildlife there. The area is especially good for birdwatching. Near the water of Ria Formosa you can also have an amazing view of the sunset.

Beaches

While the town of Olhão doesn’t have any beaches, you can take a boat from Olhão to several stunning islands. Such a boat trip is highly recommended. These islands have beautiful beaches.

Ilha da Armona

The island Ilha da Armona near the coast of Olhão has many kilometres of unspoiled beach. The sand is white and you will have plenty of space on the beach. Perfect destination for a daytrip.

Praia da Fuseta

Praia da Fuseta is a stunning island beach located just off the coast of the fishing village of Fuseta, in the municipality of Olhão. With soft white sand and calm, shallow waters, it is ideal for swimming and relaxing. This beach is perfect for a peaceful day trip and is easily reached by a short ferry ride or water taxi.

Best hotels

Looking for the perfect stay in Olhão? The best hotels here sell out fast, especially in high season. We have handpicked our top recommendations: highly rated, well-located, and loved by travellers. Book now to secure the ideal base for your Algarve getaway.

Upscale

• Real Marina Hotel & Spa. This 5 star luxury hotel offers spacious rooms with a balcony. The hotel overlooks the Ria Formosa and has several swimming pools and wellness facilities. This is the most luxurious hotel in the area. Highly rated.

Mid-range

• Hotel Cidade de Olhão. This hotel in the centre of Olhão has a sun terrace, including swimming pool. The rooms are nice and have a modern private bathroom. You can also hire a bike from the hotel, which is a nice way to explore the area.

Budget

• BJB – Alojamentos. This guest house in the centre of Olhão offers both shared dormitories as well as private rooms. If you want, you can cook your own meals in the shared kitchen. It is a great place to meet other travellers. Very good value for money.

Transfer to the hotel
Whatever hotel you choose, it is important to think about how to get there. If you don’t have a car, make sure to rent a car. Alternatively, you can book an airport transfer from Faro Airport directly to your hotel.

 

Restaurants

The local food of Olhão is mainly fresh fish, shellfish and clams. You should not leave the town without tasting one of the several fish or shellfish specialties. In fact, there are a couple of superb fish and seafood restaurants in the town. Below you can find our favourite restaurants of Olhão.

Local cuisine

• Vai e Volta. This Portuguese restaurant serves some of the best grilled fish of Olhão. They have an all you can eat of fresh grilled fish concept. You also get bread, olives and salad with the fish. Prices are quite cheap as well (10 € per person).
• Restaurante Prazeres. The restaurant serves delicious and traditional Portuguese food, with a focus on shellfish and seafood. All products come from the Olhão region. If you love seafood, this is your place.

Other cuisines

• Pizza na Pedra. Without a doubt, this restaurant serves the best pizza of Olhão. They also serve pasta and have an extensive wine list. Very good service as well.
• Indian Hut Restaurant. This is one of the best Indian restaurants in the area. Their homemade curry is amazing. And if you like spicy food, you won’t be disappointed. Also the waiters are very friendly.

Seafood festival

Every year in August, the Festival do Marisco takes place. This is a seafood festival where you can enjoy the typical specialties of shellfish and clams. There is also live music for entertainment. This festival grows every year and attracts more and more visitors. If you like seafood, you should definitely visit.

Excursions

There are many beautiful things to see in the area of Olhão. What about exploring the natural park of Ria Formosa by boat? Or go dolphin watching? Excursions can make your holiday in the Algarve even more memorable. A local guide can tell you more about the background of the area. Some of these excursions you can already book online. Below you can see our favourite excursions in the area of Olhão.

 

General information

Olhão is a town in the Algarve with more than 45.000 inhabitants. Over the course of history, Olhão used to be a fishing village. The town is situated near the nature reserve of Ria Formosa and is only a 30 minute drive from the border with Spain. Nowadays, Olhão is the biggest fishing port of the Algarve. The centre of Olhão has cute little streets, and there is a friendly atmosphere in the town.