Olhão, the Algarve, Portugal |
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Olhão, despite being only a short distance from Faro International Airport, is a world away from most people’s image of the Algarve. Here you’ll find a a real, working town, with the largest fishing port in the Algarve and, on the other hand, the protected natural beauty of the Formosa Lagoon Natural Park. A good place to start your orientation is at the top of the tower of Our Lady of the Rosary: the baroque main church. From here you’ll see the hundreds of typical roof terraces topping off the whitewashed cubes which give this town its unique look. To reach the Fomosa Lagoon from here you can pass through the maze of the picturesque fishermen’s quarter, with its small white houses. Along the waterfront you’ll find refreshing gardens and terraces and no visitor should miss the fascinating fish market. Around the new leisure marina you’ll find restaurants serving the freshly caught fish and you can watch the activity in the marina and on the lagoon over a refreshing drink. This is also the starting place for many of the exciting activities in the Natural Park. Hire a pedal boat, sailing boat or bicycle here to explore this area, or join one of the guided environmental boat tours, with themes such as birdwatching, fishing history or just to enjoy the nature in the lagoon and the barrier islands. From here you can also catch one of the regular ferries to the beaches on the barrier islands such as Farol, Culatra and Armona. Olhão is at the heart of the Algarve’s best kept secret. |
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