Olhão is a small, quiet town on the Algarve Coast. It is a good base for beaches located on offshore islands, which can be reached by ferry. There is also one of the largest fish markets in Portugal.
The city has a lot of Moorish architecture from the times of Arab domination on the Iberian Peninsula. The center delights with nice, low-rise buildings, narrow streets and many restaurants. A large group of them is located near the coast and the port from which boats depart for the surrounding islands. Among the monuments that can be visited in Olhão are, among others decorated with azulejos Church of Our Lady of the Rosary and the City Museum.
The biggest attractions of Olhão are related to the possibility of relaxing by the sea. There are no attractive beaches on the mainland, but a short cruise on excursion boats or ferries is enough to get to offshore islands such as Armona Island and Culatra Island. Sandy, well-prepared and developed beaches await them.
The Ria Formosa Natural Park is situated in the vicinity of Olhão. It covers a large stretch of the coast and offshore islands, and features sea bird colonies and passing dolphins. The park can be visited from the deck of a boat, one way is a Sabino boat trip, the operators of which also offer the possibility of organizing a picnic or stopping on the islands.
