Olhão between Ria Formosa, islands and urban history

Olhão combines the shores of the Ria Formosa with a distinctive urban history and unique island experiences. Those looking to combine nature, culture, fishing and trips on the water during a family holiday will find a variety of travel ideas here: from a walk through historic neighbourhoods to a day on Armona or Culatra. When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday home, it is therefore worth deciding first what you want to focus on.

Nature and islands in your travel plans

Olhão’s waterfront is integrated into the Ria Formosa. Armona is the only island in the Município de Olhão and can be reached from Olhão by boat in around 15 minutes. Opportunities there include windsurfing, sailing and canoeing. A fishing settlement with restaurants offering traditional fish and seafood dishes complements the maritime character.

Ilha da Culatra can only be reached from Olhão by boat. There are no motorised vehicles on the island; at the same time, it has an extensive beach on a calm sea. Visibility in the water is approximately 15 metres, making Ilha da Culatra suitable for diving. Restaurants specialise in arroz de lingueirão and caldeirada. Those making island experiences the focus of their trip should take this boat access into account when planning their accommodation and daily activities.

Paths, views and activities

Cerro da Cabeça is ideal for experiencing the landscape. It consists of Upper Jurassic rocks, reaches a height of 249 metres and is the easternmost elevation of the Serra de Monte Figo. Cerro da Cabeça is part of the Natura 2000 network and is a viewpoint overlooking the Algarve coast. Another option is the circular OLH PR1 – Trilho de Descoberta de Marim trail: the circular route is 3 kilometres long, follows natural paths and has a low level of difficulty.

Discoveries combined with exercise are also possible within the town. Caminho das Lendas is a footpath connecting five of the most important squares in Olhão’s historic area. Salinas do Grelha offers guided kayaking tours in the Ria Formosa; no previous kayaking experience is required. Prior contact is required to book the guided tour and the Dead Sea experience.

Olhão as a city of markets and history

Igreja Nossa Senhora do Rosário tells the story of the fishing community: construction began on 4 June 1698, and the church was opened for worship in 1715, even though it was not yet finished. The high altar is considered the tallest Baroque altarpiece in the Algarve. Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Soledade was Olhão’s first parish church and is used primarily for religious and funeral functions.

A defining landmark is the Mercados Municipais de Olhão. The single-storey buildings have four glazed, cylindrical towers, giving them a monumental appearance. They were inaugurated on 1 May 1916 and stand opposite the Ria Formosa. As a commercial centre, they are also associated with processions during which the fishing fleet is blessed. In the fishermen’s quarter, small white houses with geometrically decorated attic cornices have been preserved, while the streets along Avenida da República reflect the urban development of the early 20th century. Olhão is also home to hundreds of houses with the typical Algarve-style açoteia, in which the roof is replaced by a roof terrace.

Compromisso Marítimo was founded in 1765. Its building now houses the Museu da Cidade de Olhão. Murals and graffiti around Fábrica Velha on the edge of Bairro do Levante recall Olhão’s former canning industry tradition.

Which location suits your plans

Those who want to focus on markets, churches, the fishermen’s quarter and the town’s history can concentrate their accommodation search on Olhão. For a holiday involving islands, water sports and seafood, however, the boat connections to Armona and Culatra form part of the travel planning. This makes it possible to choose a holiday apartment or holiday home according to your preferred pace, without separating nature experiences, culture and culinary discoveries from one another.

Other places around Olhão

For further orientation, you can also include Moncarapacho, Pechao, Quelfes, Olhão and Fuseta in your search.

More destinations

Other places in the same destination:

Altura, Portimão.

To the higher-level travel overview: Faro.