Olhão

Olhão is a coastal fishing town on Portugal's Algarve coast, known for its traditional fishing industry and its municipal market, housed in two early 20th-century red-brick halls where fresh fish and seafood are sold daily. The town is notable for its distinctive flat-roofed architecture with rooftop terraces (açoteias), reflecting North African influence, particularly visible in the narrow streets of the old town. Olhão also serves as a convenient gateway to the Ria Formosa Natural Park, a protected lagoon system home to rich biodiversity. Regular boat services connect the town to nearby islands such as Armona, Culatra and Farol, popular for their quiet beaches and unspoilt natural surroundings. Local cuisine centres on seafood, with cataplana and various dried or tinned fish preparations reflecting the region's long-standing canning industry. Less touristy than other Algarve towns, Olhão retains an authentic character, combining working fishing life, lively markets and direct access to protected natural landscapes, making it an appealing base for visitors seeking a more genuine coastal experience.