More About Olhao
Pronounced 'ol-ee-ow', Olhão is a busy working town with a gem of a waterfront. Its fishing port is the most important in the eastern Algarve and its fish market is the biggest. It also has many shops, restaurants and an entire summer festival devoted to sea food. Ameijoas - the king of clams - is both grown and eaten in abundance and is a 'must-try' entreé, as are conquilas. Olhão is very Portuguese, very Algarvian and very un-touristic. The pedestrian shopping area winds in cobbled streets through the moorish-looking old town to the waterfront with its markets (fruit, veg, meat, deli as well as fish), its cafe's, parks and sparkling views out over the Ria Formosa lagoons. From the pier, you can take boats to the island villages and beaches of Armona, Culatra and Farol - all great day trips. The official visitor centre for the Ria Formosa nature reserve is just outside Olhão.
Its worth a visit to see: the restored tidal mill (of which there were once many in the Ria Formosa), the bird life, and the chance to spot the very rare symbol of the park, the Purple Galinule.
For the Sea Food festival in August, half of the water front gardens
are closed off and turned into a massive gastronomic and entertainment
delight. The sea food is plentiful and excellent, the entertainment
is top class and the organisation great. Its a hugely popular event
and deservedly so. Don´t miss it if you are here at the time.