Olhão also has a charming market every Saturday! In the old market halls you can find the most exotic fish, good meat, colourful vegetables and fruit from the local farmers and products such as nuts, honey, herbs, etc. You can stroll through the old quarters of this lovely town, but … .what I love about Olhão is the:
Island way of life
The ferry boat leaves from the port of Olhão several times a day to the idyllic islands of Armona, Culatra and Farol. My favourite kind of day here is as follows:
At 11 a.m. departure by ferry from Olhão to Culatra (check the times for sure). Get off the boat there and walk past the old fishermen’s houses and cafes. Cup of coffee or a beer in a local café. Continue to the beach and walk about 3 kilometres to the right towards the lighthouse (= Farol in Portuguese). Upon arrival at Farol have a drink in the friendly and relaxed beach bar Maramais. Owner Carla Sofie runs this bar with passion and pleasure. Tasty snacks are served and the atmosphere is so free and easy you find yourself immediately in the island mode. The island is completely car-free and is only inhabited by Portuguese people.
For lunch you walk a bit further into the village and at Rui and Marta, owners of Restaurant A do Joao, you can eat the most delicious local fish dishes. Ask for the daily specials for the starter and the main course. Often it is shrimp that are caught fresh in the sea the same morning, oysters or shellfish. Rui is the ‘master of the grill’!
You don’t like fish? No problem, the meat dishes (also from the grill) are definitely recommended!
Make sure you don’t miss the last ferry back to the mainland!
If you do forget the time on the island and you still miss the ferry, the Aquataxi is a really nice alternative! Slightly more expensive, but still a nice experience for price.
Yes I do
I have had the opportunity and permission, on several occasions, to organise a wedding on this island … perhaps a tip?
