12 Things to do in Olhão: Algarve’s most underrated city

One of the most underrated gateways to Ria Formosa Natural Park, Olhão, is situated right outside Faro and makes for an incredible vacation spot.

There are amazing things to do in Olhão, Algarve, yet the atmosphere is somewhat more relaxed than in most cities in the Algarve.

A relaxed boat trip to the islands followed by a tranquil walk along the harbor accompanied by refreshing ice cream is the perfect way to wind down after a hectic period at work or long-term traveling.

After spending quite some time in Olhão, I’ve put together this guide on what to do in Olhão so you can create your perfect trip.

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Things to do in Olhão

Boat trip to Ria Formosa Natural Park

One of the best things to do in Olhão is without a doubt to take a boat tour through Ria Formosa Natural Park to explore the islands and marine life. This is something I recommend packing into any itinerary even though you only have two or three days in Algarve.

Boat tours typically take you to one or two islands where you can have lunch at a restaurant, go for a walk, or chill at the beach. The most frequented islands are Culatra island, Armona island, and Tavira island, though the latter is a little further away.

During the summer months, you’ll most likely go for a swim from the boat too and many offer snorkeling as part of the tour.

The natural park has some of the largest concentrations of both short-snouted and long-snouted seahorses in the world!

Boats leave from Olhão Marina and you can buy tickets directly there, though in the high season I recommend booking in advance so you secure a spot.

Ilha da Culatra

One of Ria Formosa’s mesmerizing barrier islands situated outside Olhão is well worth a visit. If you’re wondering what to see in Olhão, this is it!

The charming fisherman huts, now serving as holiday homes and homes for the few locals inhabiting the island, line the streets, only interrupted by restaurants and bars.

However, the little settlement that dates back to the 19th century only occupies a small corner of what is a protected natural area on the island.

Boardwalks take you across dunes and scrubland inhabited by different bird pieces and reptiles to endless white beaches on the outside of the island.

This is where most holiday goers hang out and relax on their day trip to Ilha da Culatra. But even so, you can walk up the beach to avoid the crowds that cluster around the sunbeds and umbrellas near the boardwalk.

Be an ethical traveler!

Stay on the boardwalk at all times and don’t walk on the dunes. The area is fragile to human interference and should not be stepped on.

Ilha da Armona

Ilha da Armona is yet another amazing barrier island in front of Olhão. Things to do on the island include walking around the dedicated paths across the dunes, relaxing on the beach, and wandering the streets of what used to be a fisherman settlement.

Today, Ilha da Armona is the most popular island in the natural park for tourists to stay the night. Holiday homes line the paved streets and you find all the needed facilities on the beach, which is one of the most beautiful Algarve beaches.

The around 50 people that live permanently on the island live mainly on fishing and tourism. Though tourism is important to the island, it’s even more important to practice sustainable tourism.

So do your part in respecting the regulations of the natural park, don’t step on protected areas, and respect the locals.

Ilha do Farol

Ilha do Farol is actually a part of Ilha da Culatra. Strangely set on the same island (as the name indicates it’s its own island – Ilha meaning island in Portuguese, but on the other side of the Culatra settlement.

This part of the island and its community is named after the white and red lighthouse, Cabo de Santa Maria. It’s said to be the oldest lighthouse in Portugal, first operating in the mid-1800s, though it underwent restorations in the mid-1900s.

Also on Ilha do Farol, you can rest for hours on the astounding beach that reaches all the 6 kilometers across Culatra island.

Also in Ria Formosa Natural Park

Quinta de Marim

Quinta de Marim includes an educational center and is Ria Formosa’s headquarters. Situated only 3 kilometers outside Olhão city center, it’s the perfect place to spend a day – or at least a few hours.

Inside the protected area, you can walk a nature walk taking you through woodlands, mudflats, salt marsh, coastal dunes, and freshwater lagoons.

Contrasting to the busy Algarve most travelers experience, this is a tranquil experience, accompanied by a multitude of different birdsong.

Due to the unique ecosystem, there are also several vading birds to be seen, among them the purple gallinule. But also flamingos can be seen in this area.

Points of interest are the only ancient tide mill that is left from the once 30 that were operating in the natural park, and the remains of five salting tanks from Roman times.