Holiday Homes & Rentals in Olhão

Officially called Olhão da Restauração, this gorgeous town has a completely different feel to the rest of the Algarve – calmer and quieter and very beautiful. Choose a holiday home in the central area to really immerse yourself in the North African influenced buildings, small, cobbled streets or near the open market for excitement, energy and colour. There are no beaches on the Olhão coast itself, but across the water (well serviced with water taxis) are several islands with gorgeous sand and some fabulous holiday home options!

Olhão is not a place of monotone high rise hotels. Instead you’ll find 19th century buildings with a Moorish style lining delightfully patterned cobblestoned roads and pathways. Be amazed at the views from your terrace, looking out towards the sea or over the beautiful town, and airy, spacious living rooms which are a delight to rest in after a day enjoying the town. Holiday homes tend to sleep 4-6 making them perfect for most families, but there are plenty of options for couples, too!

Located to the east of Faro in the Algarve, Portugal, Olhão has good transport connections from the main Faro airport. Olhãois is a fishing town, and you’ll not find fresher or more tasty fish anywhere else in the world. Step down to the local market near the coast to choose from an enormous range of fresh catches, and soak in the atmosphere of this thriving town. At the busy harbour you can see the fishing boats waiting to head back out to sea, or dropping off their latest haul. Stroll down the tiny, daintily lit streets at night and choose from one of the many superb restaurants which are waiting to welcome you with delicious fayre.

Just outside the streets of Olhão is an absolute gem of a destination for those who love nature. The Parque Natural da Ria Formosa has rare plants and animals making it an important area for biologists, but a delight for those with less of a scientific background, too. As you walk you’ll discover information boards to help you to recognise and learn about what you see, and when you’ve finished enjoying your educational walk, why not head to the superb Vista Formosa restaurant to recharge your batteries?!

As well as Ria Formosa Olhão boasts many delightful outdoor spaces to explore. One particularly wonderful boat trip is to the barrier islands off the coast of Olhão. Lined with soft, cream sand and lapped by gentle waves and crystal-clear water this is a place to bring your family and friends, a picnic and a really good bottle of wine! Many parts of these dunes are completely devoid of other people so they create a perfectly private magical space to relax.

The snorkelling and diving around Olhão is truly wonderful. Look out for the local seahorses, and don’t miss the clam and oyster beds! Special diving trips are also available where you have a chance of seeing the utterly incredible tuna which live off the coast, a real once in a lifetime experience. You can see the ocean wildlife from above the water if you prefer to stay drier, with a magical dolphin spotting trip. See them riding the waves and watch them whizz through the water at the boat side!

After Portugal was freed from French rule, 17 fishermen sailed to Brazil from Olhão without any navigational equipment to advise the royal family that they could leave exile. See the replica of the boat which made this incredible journey here in Olhão.

The superb local food in Olhão is there to be discovered. While the harbour front restaurants are outstanding, do spend some time exploring the pretty streets in town to find some truly wonderful eateries.

There’s nothing quite like an oyster that was plucked from the sea just hours before, and with oyster beds right on the doorstep you’ll be enjoying oysters that are as fresh as they can be.

This extraordinary church was built with funds raised by the local fishermen's mutual society and features an astonishing five altars each with gilded woodwork.

This palatial museum building houses archaeological dig findings such as ancient coins, as well as some of the more recent historical treasures of the town. The museum is located in a beautiful 18th century building.