Six reasons to visit...Olhao

EAT

Olhão is famous for its fish and seafood, and the main promenade, Avenida 5 de Outubro, boasts several good, authentic Algarve restaurants serving the freshest catch at sensible prices. Among the best are O Horta and O Bote.

DRINK

The pick of the town’s seafront bars, Cantaloupe (Mercado de Verdura, tel. 289 704 397) attracts shoppers for beer or coffee during the day, and adds a relaxed feel to Sunday evenings with its sunset concerts of live music.

SHOP

Olhão’s cavernous market (Avenida 5 de Outobro) is open six mornings a week, selling the pick of the local catch of fish and seafood in one section, and fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and cheeses in the other. A cacophony of haggling, banter and good-natured fun, you’ll certainly see the real Algarve here.

PLAY

Explore the wildlife, lagoons, salt marshes and outlying islands of the Ria Formosa Nature Park with a boat trip out of Olhão, with comapnies like Natura Algarve or Passeios Ria Formosa. 

Don’t miss the Olhão Seafood Festival (mid-August) - six nights of fantastic food, music and street entertainment which takes over the entire waterfront. Top tips to avoid the crowds: go earlier in the evening rather than later, try to avoid the weekend, and go with a group of friends. Not only will you enjoy it more, you can divide up the queuing duties for food, beer, caipirinhas, seating and so on.   

KIDS

Dolphin-watching, water sports, bicycle rental, kayaking, horse riding, or just great beaches…the region has tons of kid-friendly activities.

SLEEP

The Real Marina Hotel brings five-star style to the region for the first time, with a prime waterfront position, thalassotherapy spa and panoramic outdoor pool. The adjacent Real Marina Residence is also part of the new complex, with 80 luxury apartments with fully-equipped kitchens for those who prefer the self-catering option.