Take some time to visit Olhao, a beautiful fishing town

About 10km east of Faro, just off the N125, you’ll find the pretty fishing town of Olhao. It is most definitely a working town rather than an Algarve resort and is the largest fishing port in Portugal, supplying not only the Algarve, but the rest of Portugal with fresh fish. Arguably, here you will find the freshest seafood in the whole of the Algarve.

Olhao is a great place to visit, with plenty of things to see and do. Probably the most famous place to visit is the indoor fish market. This is located down at the waterfront in one of two large red brick buildings. The other building, next door is home to the vegetable market.

Wandering around Olhao’s fish market, you’ll be amazed by the quantity and the variety of the fish and seafood on offer. It’s also great value for money. I bought four large tuna steaks for no more than it would cost for one in the UK. If you are staying in a villa, you should definitely buy some of the produce to cook on the barbeque on your return. The freshest seafood is to be found in the mornings, straight after the fishermen have landed their catch, but this is also the busiest times as the locals are also there buying for their family’s dinner.

Once you have been there, pop next door into the vegetable market, which is equally impressive in its own way. Laden with locally grown vegetables and fruit, it is a great place to get the accompaniments to your fish supper.

On the 3rd Monday of each month, you’ll find the Olhao’s outdoor market, sprawling along the waterfront. Full of local farmers and craftsmen, there is plenty to tempt you with more local produce, leather belts, clothing and the like. There were also stalls with cages stuffed with live chickens for sale. In this day with our ever-increasing desire to buy free-range happy chickens, this was a little disconcerting.

After a hard morning’s shopping, stop at one of the many Olhao restaurants and sample some of the wonderfully fresh seafood. Olhao, arguably has some of the best seafood restaurants in the Algarve. Most of the bars and restaurants are down by the seafront or in Rua do Commercio.

If you are here in August, you will no doubt encounter Olhao’s annual seafood festival, the festa do Marisco. It goes on for five days, so you've no excuse to miss it. It attracts tens of thousands of people each year, and for a few Euros entrance fee (although young children are free), you'll get a plate of prawns and a drink to enjoy. Well organised and enjoyable, apart from all the seafood on offer, there’s singing, dancing and concerts laid on. The Seafood Festival takes place at the Jardim Pescador in Olhão.

After your lunch, you can walk it off around the municipal gardens, which are a few minutes from the market or visit the old quarter, with its narrow cobbled streets. Here you can buy souvenirs or local crafts.

For some more serious shopping, the pedestrian-only Rua do Commercio has many shops and boutiques to browse around.

If you have a little more energy, and like churches, wander up to the Igreja da Nossa Senhorado Rosario, a 17th century Baroque church. Climb to the top and enjoy the marvellous views across Olhao town.

Another great place for a walk is the Quinta de Marim nature reserve. This is located on the outskirts of the town and is full of wildlife, including flamingos.

If you are staying in or around Olhao then why not take a ferry to one of the islands (ilhas). Ferries leave from the pier down by the old fish docks. Culatra is about 45 minutes away, and has some wonderful beaches. Armona island is only about 15 minutes away. Apart from a few bars, some holiday chalets and the wonderful beach, there is nothing else there. Both islands allow nude sunbathing in places, should it take your fancy.

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