Top Things to do in Olhao
The 10 Best Things to do in Olhao, Algarve
Discover the best top things to do in Olhao, Portugal including Bela Romao Croquet Country Club, Ilha da Culatra, Ilha da Fuzeta, Mercado de Olhao, Cerro De Sao Miguel, Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Rosario, Fuseta Beach, Ria Formosa Natural Park, Algarve Indoor Kart Center, Jardim Pescador Olhanense.
Restaurants in Olhao
1. Bela Romao Croquet Country Club
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 37 reviews
Known as the Algarve's "hidden Gem" - Bela Romao is a very unique 14 acre ocean front property with private & secluded onsite accommodation, private dining and grass croquet lawn. Villa Madresilva, a spacious traditionally restored flat roof Moorish country house(very few left in the Algarve)is completely separated within its own tropical gardens, fig, almond and 200 year old carob trees. Has its own private pool, sleeps 10 with a semi-detached 3 bedroom cottage(for teenagers and the mother in law!) all within its own fenced 14 acres of countryside, perfect for romantic moonlit walks, bird watching, or just peaceful serenity! Electronic gated entrance, security cameras, 1/4 mile private access road off the main route, yet 5 minutes away from white talcum sandy beaches, Blue flag crystal clean waters & the hustle and bustle of the tourists. Bela Romao itself is an exclusive private residence and also a private members croquet club, touted as one of the Algarve's "Secret Romantic Escapes". It is the 1st & only croquet club in Portugal, perched high overlooking the beautiful Ria Formosa paradise islands and national parks. The property is nestled into an oasis of 14 acres of tropical gardens, a fun gold tiled swimming pool, petanque court, eccentric fun club house with a Buddha bar, upside down Xmas tree hanging from the ceiling full of trinkets left from visiting guests, English telephone box(filled with cocktails and aperitifs). Mediterranean slow food Tapas plates, created daily by proprietor & Culinary Institute of America Chef de Cuisine. The shared tapas infusions are based on our organic vegetable and herb gardens, orchards and local artisinal farmers, utilizing only the freshest of ingredients. This unique property is for private members only but our guests staying at our Villa Madresilva accommodation are more than welcome to enjoy gastronomic food and play the fun(often competitive)game of croquet. Reservations required for Lunch, Dinner, Afternoon Tea(48 hr notice for baking), Birthdays, Anniversaries, small boutique weddings etc. Important Notice:- The club does not have credit card facilities, Cash Only! Only well behaved children may be admitted to the club out of respect for other guests relaxation.
2. Ilha da Culatra
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 903 reviews
Reviewed By sjbarter - Northampton, United Kingdom
This is a wonderful day out. Park along the front by the market that is also worth visiting. Buy a return ticket to Farol on the island for just over 4 Euros. Get off at Culatra stop after a 30 minute attractive trip across the lagoon then walk through the village across the boardwalk to the beach. You can then walk through the surf for an hour on the beautiful beach towards the lighthouse where there is a chilled out beach bar called Maramais with great views over the beach. Here there are great drinks and snacks - the sandwiches are huge. You can hire sun beds if you wish. Then a ten minute walk down to the jetty and a lovely boat trip back. The 11am out to Culatra and the 4pm back from Farol runs all year. See timetable in photos.
3. Ilha da Fuzeta
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 547 reviews
Reviewed By josL3754IH
Get the water taxi from Fuzeta and a couple of minutes later you are on a beautiful beach with miles of sand, a bar, snaks, sunbeds and toilets. Beautiful.
4. Mercado de Olhao
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 500 reviews
Reviewed By IsobelD447 - Kilbarchan, United Kingdom
Always make a point of visiting both the fish and vegetable markets in Olhão when on holiday. Totally fascinating places...especially the fish market...where every conceivable fish is on offer. Just wonderful to see all these gleaming fish and the number of people in to purchase. What choices they have. Everything is very clean and certainly worth a visit. Outside of both markets are traders selling fresh fruit, vegetables and other delights....including budgies and canaries. Definitely worth a visit.
5. Cerro De Sao Miguel
6. Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Rosario
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 86 reviews
Olhão's Main Church is the seat of the parish of Our Lady of the Rosary and the main monument in Olhão. Construction begun in 1698. The Church was opened for worship in 1715 and completed only in 1783. Open every day except Monday. On Saturday afternoon and Sunday it opens only for the Eucharist. The Chapel of Our Lord of the Afflicted is at the Church rear and can be observed at any time of day or night. Free entry. To climb the tower and have the most magnificent view of our city, admission fee of € 1.00 (request visits at the Parish Notary).
7. Fuseta Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 119 reviews
Reviewed By tushar_pai - Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
The beach of Fuseta is a small strip of sandy beach that is brilliant for families. The sand is soft and golden and you can walk along the coast exploring the area. The beach bar is really good and you can spend a good part of your day on the beach with drinks and lunch being available from Borda d’Agua. There are sunbeds and parasols available from a shack nearby. There is an option to take boat trips to Ilha da Fuseta from where you can walk to Ilha da Amanora. The beach was just a perfect place in Fuseta for the kids to enjoy the sand and the sea.
8. Ria Formosa Natural Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 685 reviews
Reviewed By 318ninas - St Ives, United Kingdom
When we arrived at the park having read the reviews I was expecting maybe it wouldn't fill our afternoon, well I was wrong. For a minimal price of £2.80 my partner and I had an amazing afternoon walking the park watching the waders, cormorants, Egrets both white and grey, numerous gulls and beautiful Herons of which there are many varieties. The bird hospital was closed on our visit but is there for a very functional reason of treating wild birds and releasing them back into the wild. The Tidal Water Mill was very interesting and the scenery spectacular. Its all there in this little oasis, you have to slow down and look for it. We were treated to seeing the Fiddler crabs before we left. The attendant upon our entrance was very attentive and gave us a map in English pointing out all facilities leaving a written contact number should we require help. His English was very good, although maps were written in several languages. This is conservation at its best, on a hot day take a picnic, binoculars and stay the day!
9. Algarve Indoor Kart Center
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 50 reviews
The country's largest indoor karting is the great novelty in the Algarve in terms of tourist attraction/sporting.Situated in the town of Olhão, just 8 miles from Faro and 50 of Spain and with nearly 10000 square meters, this new tourist infrastructure is based on the 3rd floor Ria Shopping Center.650 metres of track, with seven metres wide, a stroke can lead to adrenaline inconceivable levels.
10. Jardim Pescador Olhanense
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By PeterGarrett78 - Pewsey, United Kingdom
The main strip along the front of Olhao is beautiful. The town hasn’t yet fully embraced tourism meaning it’s not as mainstream as some other areas in the Algarve. Along the front is filled with restaurants, cafes and bars the night scene is pretty lively especially when there is football on. There are also plenty of green spaces and children’s play parks dotted along the front with a decent view out over the sea. Public toilets are available with a small tip for cleaning that should be provided to the person just inside the door. The ferry to the beaches nearby go from here also, there is free parking at the port end of the strip in a large car park but spaces are always at a premium, again local Portuguese are on hand to guide you to a space but they will expect a small tip for their assistance. Other than that there is street parking available and some paid parking areas. I would actually recommend using the Jumbo supermarket underground car park in town myself and walking out the front strip. Because it’s underground it’s out of the sun, there are always spaces available, it’s free on a Sunday and the walk isn’t too far but I guess could be with small children. Olhao also offers some beautiful back streets and some decent wall art all of which would be shame if you didn’t take time to appreciate it. The outdoor market is on Saturday mornings and open from 7am but get here early for parking! The covered indoor markets are on all the time and offer a decent range of meat, fruit and veg. Olhao has so much to offer and I think is beautiful, well worth a visit!
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