Olhão - Olhão visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Olhão' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Algarve.

Olhão lies on the Algarve coast in Southern Portugal between the seaside towns of Faro and Tavira on the Ria Formosa lagoon. Olhao is primarily a fishing village and was first mentioned in records in 1378. By the 17th century it had grown enough in importance to be threatened by pirates, and the São Lorenço sea fort was built to defend the town.

Olhão has grown to become one of the largest fishing ports on the Algarve and parts of the town are very industrial. Along the waterfront are two markets selling all kinds of fish as well as locally grown produce. Local restaurants naturally specialize in various fish dishes. Many of the buildings in the center of Olhão reflect Moorish occupation in their architecture, and the town center is pleasant to walk around.

Olhão - Attractions

• Fish Markets (Mercado de Olhão) - found along the shoreline, supplying local restaurants and selling a vast array of fish and sea food.
• Harbour Promenade - walk along the harbour watching the boats, or sit and relax in one of the cafes.
• Historic Center - with many Moorish buildings and merchant buildings with elegant, wrought iron balconies.
• Jardim Patrão Joaquim Lopes - small gardens which contain a monument to Jardim Patrão Joaquim Lopes.
• Nossa Senhora do Rosário - Baroque church built in 1698 on the Praça da Restauração, the oldest stone building in Olhão.
• Nossa Senhora da Soledade - first church of Olhão surrounded by narrow lanes, restaurants and cafes.
• Island Beaches - while Olhão has no beach of it's own, regular ferries from the wharf serve some of the off-shore islands, with Ilha da Culatra, Ilha do Farol and Ilha da Armona being popular for their beaches, swimming and snorkelling.

Tourist Information Office
8A Lg. Sebastião Martins Mestre
Olhão
8700 Algarve
Phone: 289 70 06 00

Bus: EVA buses to either Faro or Tavira
Train: Olhão Station
Road: Olhão is on the N125, 11km east of Faro and 22km west of Tavira.