For years, we passed by Olhão, thinking it didn’t have much to offer – how wrong we were! Last November, we finally visited Olhão, and I really don’t understand why it took us so many years. Don’t make the same mistake we did. In this guide Olhão, Portugal: 22 Best Things to Do and See, I’ve prepared a list of the 22 most interesting places to see in Olhão, along with tips for excursions.
When to Visit Olhão?
We prefer to go to Portugal in February and November. These months might seem like an unusual choice, but… The cooler, yet pleasantly sunny weather is ideal for leisurely strolls along the Ria Formosa and enjoying local cafes without the crowds. 🤭
Of course, the summer months – July and August – are the most popular, as they are ideal for lounging by the sea and boat trips. Generally, the sea in Portugal is colder, so families with children usually don’t visit outside of peak season.
For those looking for something in between, April to June and then early autumn – September and early October – are ideal. The hardier ones might even take a dip.
Tip: 7-day Algarve road trip – where to go?
Where to Stay in Olhão?
Do you like design accommodation? Then check out the Pure Formosa Concept Hotel. Opened in 2021, this hotel quickly gained popularity thanks to its stylish rooms equipped with everything you need—air conditioning, a minibar, and private bathrooms.
However, the crowning glory is undoubtedly the rooftop terrace, which provides an idyllic setting for evening relaxation with panoramic views.
Olhão, Portugal: 22 Best Things to Do and See
Let’s explore our list of the best things to do and see in Olhão, Portugal. Olhão won us over with its picturesque streets and lively atmosphere. As vegetarians, we were thrilled that there are also many great places to eat here.
We got a tip from friends for a boat trip to the Ria Formosa Natural Park. We prefer to book online via GetYourGuide because it can be easily canceled.
Casa Dr. Bernardino Da Silva
The Casa Dr. Bernardino da Silva,
Casa Dr. Bernardino da Silva, a historic house at number 14 on Avenida da República, was built in the 19th century and served as the residence of a respected local doctor, Dr. Luís Bernardino da Silva.
In 1932, it was transformed into the headquarters of the Olhão Recreational Society, founded in 1858 to promote cultural and artistic activities for the local aristocracy. This society was pioneering in the Algarve and is the fourth oldest of its kind in Portugal.
The Olhão Recreational Society was known for its lively carnival celebrations and had a large terrace at the back of the building, where open-air film screenings were held until the 1980s. In 2015, the society ceased using the house, and since 2017, it has been occupied by a new entity – the Re-Criativa República 14 Cultural Association.
The Olhão City Museum
The Olhão City Museum is a fascinating place where you can learn more about the history and culture of this picturesque Portuguese town. The museum is housed in the former 18th-century Casa do Compromisso Marítimo building, which was originally intended to support fishermen. The museum offers deep insight into the city’s past and its fishing traditions.
You can look forward to rich collections of artifacts and exhibits that document the life and work of local inhabitants, from traditional fishing tools to historical documents and photographs. A visit to this museum will provide you with a unique insight into the development of Olhão from its beginnings to the present day, while also allowing you to appreciate the beauty and significance of this historic place.
The Igreja Matriz De Nossa Senhora Do Rosário
The Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Rosário is the largest church in Olhão and the second stone building constructed in the city (between 1698 – 1722). This church stands here thanks to the locals who financed it.
Construction began as a direct result of Olhão being established as a self-governing town in 1695. Even though the building was not yet completed, services began here in 1715, driven by the people’s desire for emancipation from the nearby city of Faro.
The most important features in the Igreja Matriz church are the sundials on the bell tower walls and an inscription describing the simple and humble life of the sailors, who financed and built the church in 1698.
The facade is a majestic Baroque work by Inácio Mendes, who also designed the Contraria do Corpo Santo in Faro. It is adorned with statues of angels and a striking wooden carving of the resurrected Christ.
The golden altar of Nossa Senhora da Conceição is crowned with statues of angels bearing the Portuguese shield. At the back is a small chapel that opens directly onto the street and is dedicated to Nosso Senhor dos Aflitos (Lord of the Afflicted). One of the most beautiful features is a panel of traditional tiles depicting Christ on the cross.
If you climb the bell tower (which costs only about 1€), you’ll get an amazing view of hundreds of houses with typical terraces (“açoteias”) and “mirantes” (higher structures protruding from the terraces).
Igreja Pequena
Igreja Pequena, the smallest church in the city, was the first stone building in Olhão. This church served as the main religious place for prayer until the construction of the Matriz church was completed. The exact year of construction is unknown, but some historians believe it is the same chapel mentioned in historical records and founded by King Dom João I in the 14th century.
Compromisso Marítimo
This beautiful example of simple architecture is located near the small church (Igreja Pequena) and was completed in 1771. Today, this building houses the City Museum, which offers an interactive room, archaeological exhibits, spaces for temporary exhibitions, and a bibliographic center.
On the main facade of the building, you will find symmetrical windows adorned with wrought-iron balconies and a carved stone niche containing a statue of our patroness, Our Lady of Mercy. This statue holds deep significance in Olhão, as legend has it that it was found floating in the sea by local fishermen.
In times of poor fishing, fishermen would bring candles and olive oil as offerings to please the Virgin Mary and ask her to fill their nets with fish.
Compromisso Marítimo is also linked to the city’s most significant historical moment – the uprising of the local population against Napoleon’s troops in 1808.
Casas “Cubistas” of the Old Town
A stroll through Olhão’s old quarters will charm you with its unique “cubist” architecture. The houses here, similar to those in North Africa and the Mediterranean, form clusters of cubes. This historical style is entirely unique due to the constant movement of people from Olhão to North Africa and back, dating back to the 18th century.
These houses have several specific characteristics. Traditional houses in Olhão always have a high railing that defines the terrace (“açoteia”) on top of the house. You will commonly find additional rooms added to the back or side of the terrace here. These rooms are called “pangaio”, and on them is a second, smaller terrace – a “mirante” or viewpoint.
Os Mercados – the Market in Olhão
You definitely shouldn’t miss visiting the Os Mercados markets in Olhão.. They are two impressive red-brick buildings – on one side, the fish market, and on the other, the fruit and vegetable market. These markets are among the liveliest places in the city, especially on Saturday mornings, when people from surrounding villages come to sell their homemade products.
Architecturally, the Os Mercados markets are very interesting. The 1916 buildings have a zinc-covered roof, formed by four overlapping trapezoidal structures that surround the entire building. These roofs are supported by iron beams, giving them a late 19th-century appearance.
A Alfândega – the Customs House
The Customs House, located in Largo Patrão Joaquim Lopes with direct access to the former fishing beach, where the markets and municipal gardens are now situated. The architectural style of the Customs House is typical of the 19th century.
The main facade has two floors in the side buildings and three in the central building. This architectural feature is visually very attractive due to its symmetrical simplicity, further emphasized by the arrangement of many doors and windows.
The Customs House was officially opened on June 28, 1842, and operated until the 1970s. In this square, you will find a statue of a famous figure from Olhão legends, Floripes, the enchanting Moorish woman.
Floripes
In the square, you will find a statue of Floripes. The legend tells of a beautiful young woman in white who often appeared as a phantom near the tidal mill, where the Grupo Naval de Olhão now stands and from where boats depart for the archipelago.
According to legend, the only person who dared to come to this place at night was a drunken middle-aged man who fell asleep on the way. The beautiful woman in white gently approached him and sat beside him. When the drunken man began to tell his friends about this encounter, none of them had the courage to visit the place and verify the truth of his story.
The Legend of Arraul
Arraul is an ancient legend from the Olhão area, named after a brave young man whose name means “friend who does good” in Sanskrit. According to legend, Arraul created the strip of sand dunes that form the Ria Formosa and protect this part of the Algarve.
This young hero supposedly emerged from the depths of the lost city of Atlantis. When the waves of Atlantis were swallowed by the sea, Arraul was rescued by a whale that spat him back onto the shore. Thanks to strong underwater currents, he arrived at Sítio das Prainhas, where the history of Olhão began.
To protect the coast from further disasters, Arraul decided to transfer soil from the slopes of Cerro da Cabeça to the coast. This created the islands of Fuseta, Armona, and Culatra and expanded the sandy lagoon of Ria Formosa as we know it today.
João Lúcio’s Cottage
The historic João Lúcio’s Cottage, located in Quinta de Marim near the Ria Formosa Natural Park, is a three-story circular building with no clearly defined front or back. It is considered one of the best examples of Symbolist architecture in Portugal due to its exotic nature.
In the center of the house, you will find four staircases of different shapes – fish, guitars, violins, and snakes, arranged according to the four cardinal directions and representing entrances to the center of the house, where they culminate in a large skylight.
The building houses Ecoteca Olhão, a public service supporting environmental education activities and various cultural events. A visit to this cottage will be an interesting experience not only for architecture enthusiasts but also for those interested in the environment and culture.
Lenda Do Mouro Encantado
The place became famous thanks to one of Portugal’s legends, which tells the story of an enchanted Moor who guards a treasure hidden in the rocks. According to legend, if someone discovers the treasure and tries to take it, the enchanted Moor will turn them into stone.
Lenda De MarimE
Another statue in Olhão that you shouldn’t miss is the Lenda de Marim. This statue is based on a beautiful legend of love and honor from the time of the Moorish empire on the Iberian Peninsula. The story tells of a girl named Mariam and her beloved Galvín, who became a hero in the fight against the enemies of his people.
Mariam and Galvín promised each other eternal love. When Galvín fell into the hands of enemies, their love was put to a severe test. Mariam faithfully waited for him, even though other suitors tempted her. Eventually, Galvín returned, and they spent the rest of their lives together.
This statue is not only a beautiful work of art but also a reminder of how strong and faithful love can be.
Jardim Patrão Joaquim Lopes
Jardim Patrão Joaquim Lopes is a beautiful park located on the coast of Olhão, Portugal. This park offers breathtaking views of the adjacent marina and the Ria Formosa lagoon.
Murals
Walking through Largo and Rua da Fábrica Velha in Barrio do Levante, Luky and I came across amazing murals that tell the rich history of fishing in Olhão right before our eyes.
MosaicOlhão (Lavandas E Maravilhas)
My dad loves making mosaics, so I was thrilled when I discovered this shop where the owner can make any inscription for you on the spot. And within an hour. Plus, the price was quite good, so if you want an original souvenir, definitely stop by here.
Ilha Da Culatra
Where to find beautiful beaches in Olhão? On Ilha da Culatra, a beautiful island in Ria Formosa! You can easily book a trip via GetYourGuide. You can visit multiple islets at once. The island is known for its picturesque fishing huts that have been converted into holiday homes and local residences.
Ilha Da Armona: for Beautiful Beaches
Ilha da Armona, a beautiful island off Olhão, offers amazing beaches and charming streets of a former fishing village.
Ilha Do Farol
Ilha do Farol is part of Culatra Island and is known for its community and the iconic Cabo de Santa Maria Lighthouse, the oldest in Portugal.
Ria Formosa
If you haven’t yet understood that Ria Formosa is one of the places you shouldn’t miss in this area, we’ll remind you again. You can easily get here again via the GetYourGuide online portal, or a trip can be bought at the harbor.
Just be aware that there are queues during peak season, and often no one to serve you off-season, so we recommend booking online (plus you don’t pay anything extra through GetYourGuide and you can cancel your reservation anytime).
Ria Formosa is a magnificent natural park stretching along the eastern and western coasts of the Algarve. The park includes lagoons, wetlands, salt marshes, and islands, creating rich ecological diversity.
Jardim Pescador Olhanense
We seek out parks in the summer because when you want to explore the city on a sunny day, it’s good to sit down for a while. Jardim Pescador Olhanense is a beautifully maintained small park along the coast, right next to the market.
Even though we were here in November, it was a beautiful 26 degrees, and I was pregnant, so we stopped here to observe the local hustle and bustle and rest a bit.
Find out how Cork and Cork Products are Made
Do you enjoy unique experiences? We always check GetYourGuide for options. Through them, we book not only tickets to attractions (which means we never queue and the price is the same) but also excursions.
In Olhao, you can go on a 50-minute excursion to a traditional cork factory, where you’ll learn all about cork production and cork products. You can even buy a souvenir at the end.
Why cork? The Algarve is home to 720,000 hectares of cork forests, making this region the backbone of a significant cork industry.
Where Next?
Read our 7-day Algarve road trip guide, check out what to see in Silves, Loulé, and the beautiful town of Faro, and don’t forget to explore Lagos, where you’ll find the most beautiful beaches.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
