Guidebook for Olhão
Beaches and Islands
These are the sand bars/islands that have beautiful beaches, and you can bathe on either side. Ocean or estuary. The estuary makes sense if the water is choppy especially if you have kids. You can now grab a water taxi in the marina center right in front of the apartments. For the ferry you will still have to walk down the promenade.
This is the closest and largest island or “sand bar” by the apartment. It’s a quick boat ride away 10mins or so. Lots of cafes and restaurants. A really cool awarded beach bar and restaurant. “chameleon” chairs and shades on the beach. Only negative is that you have to walk quite a bit to get to the south side and the nice Sandy beaches and bar.. or if you hire a water taxi have them drop you off on the south side. defiantly worth it. Beautiful beach 🏖
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Ilha da Armona
This is the closest and largest island or “sand bar” by the apartment. It’s a quick boat ride away 10mins or so. Lots of cafes and restaurants. A really cool awarded beach bar and restaurant. “chameleon” chairs and shades on the beach. Only negative is that you have to walk quite a bit to get to the south side and the nice Sandy beaches and bar.. or if you hire a water taxi have them drop you off on the south side. defiantly worth it. Beautiful beach 🏖
The island of Culatra has some of the best beaches. You can take a wooden path to the south of the island. Very few people and even during the peak of the summer if you walk a little you can find a spot all to yourself. If the water is choppy you can always bathe on the north side which has no waves. There are a few restaurants and grocery stores on the island. Accessible by ferry boat or water taxi. If you take a water taxi you can ask them to drop you off on a more deserted part like the “barra velha”, just make sure that you bring water, a shade and snacks.
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Culatra Island
The island of Culatra has some of the best beaches. You can take a wooden path to the south of the island. Very few people and even during the peak of the summer if you walk a little you can find a spot all to yourself. If the water is choppy you can always bathe on the north side which has no waves. There are a few restaurants and grocery stores on the island. Accessible by ferry boat or water taxi. If you take a water taxi you can ask them to drop you off on a more deserted part like the “barra velha”, just make sure that you bring water, a shade and snacks.
This of the western side of culatra island. Lots of small restaurants and a few bars. Beaches are not as nice as the other islands, but a great location to catch a sunset with lots of restaurants and small bars.
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Ilha Do Farol
119 R. das FloresThis of the western side of culatra island. Lots of small restaurants and a few bars. Beaches are not as nice as the other islands, but a great location to catch a sunset with lots of restaurants and small bars.
This island is the smallest. Has no houses, just one fancy restaurant. Really nice food, all wood architecture.
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Ilha Deserta
This island is the smallest. Has no houses, just one fancy restaurant. Really nice food, all wood architecture.
Food scene
This is right in front of the apartments ontop of the water. Walk across the street to the building through one of the corridors and you find what is hidden from your view at the Porto de Recreio plaza, that offers beautiful views of the estuary. Quite a few new restaurants there. Two with rooftop dining with incredible views. Bars with music, a few places to shop, and some electronic activities for the kids. Bring some cash to change as the kids will ask for coins🙃. Something for everyone right next door. You can also take a taxi boat from there as there is now a dock that you can walk down to and grab one and visit the islands in front.
Porto Recreio de Olhao
Avenida 5 de OutubroClose By. One of my favs. Great tapas and seafood. Good variety of beers on tap! Great selection of wines
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Terra i Mar
20 Av. 5 de OutubroClose By. One of my favs. Great tapas and seafood. Good variety of beers on tap! Great selection of wines
Nice little Mexican joint. Close by. Love the hearty 1€ tacos at lunch. Just cannot beat those when on a budget! Closed Tuesdays just FYI.
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El Torito
156 Av. 5 de OutubroNice little Mexican joint. Close by. Love the hearty 1€ tacos at lunch. Just cannot beat those when on a budget! Closed Tuesdays just FYI.
Nice little spot that doubles up as a small convenience store, tell Vasco the owner that Miguel sent you to get the extra VIP treatment. Always changing menu with a top chef. Good food, great ambiance, and right next door!
Tacho D'avo
Rua Manuel Teixeira GomesNice little spot that doubles up as a small convenience store, tell Vasco the owner that Miguel sent you to get the extra VIP treatment. Always changing menu with a top chef. Good food, great ambiance, and right next door!
If you love chicken this is worth the TRIP! A good 30 mins away but a trip worth while if you are a foodie! One of the best spots in the world to get "Piri Piri Chicken" that spicy baby chicken that has become famous around the world but never quite replicated outside of the Algarve. Really a must for me every time I visit the Algarve!
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Restaurante Senhor Frango
Rua Manuel Viegas GuerreiroIf you love chicken this is worth the TRIP! A good 30 mins away but a trip worth while if you are a foodie! One of the best spots in the world to get "Piri Piri Chicken" that spicy baby chicken that has become famous around the world but never quite replicated outside of the Algarve. Really a must for me every time I visit the Algarve!
Great Crepes, pancakes and sweet things! Great to kill your sweet tooth and right next door!
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Choco & Nut
Rua das PrainhasGreat Crepes, pancakes and sweet things! Great to kill your sweet tooth and right next door!
This is a small snack bar that has the best prices on shellfish 🦪, also has burgers etc. Try the « Berbigão a bulhão Pato » for 6€. Clams sautéed in garlic, wine, salsa, olive oil and lemon. Make sure you get some bread or toast to dip in.. you can always go for the razor clams too « ameijoas ».. but more pricey. This is a Portuguese classic. And this little corner has the best prices.. and right on the boardwalk at the end of the market.
Ta Pronto
65A Av. 5 de OutubroThis is a small snack bar that has the best prices on shellfish 🦪, also has burgers etc. Try the « Berbigão a bulhão Pato » for 6€. Clams sautéed in garlic, wine, salsa, olive oil and lemon. Make sure you get some bread or toast to dip in.. you can always go for the razor clams too « ameijoas ».. but more pricey. This is a Portuguese classic. And this little corner has the best prices.. and right on the boardwalk at the end of the market.
Great fish cooked outdoors under tents on huge BBQ pits. If you like fish definitely recommend. In the next town so a small car ride or uber ride away. Get the house wine served in huge jugs.. great for lunch!
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Casa Corvo
33 Largo 1° de MaioGreat fish cooked outdoors under tents on huge BBQ pits. If you like fish definitely recommend. In the next town so a small car ride or uber ride away. Get the house wine served in huge jugs.. great for lunch!
This is close walking distance...only open for lunch.. and is all you can eat fish. Decent food. Great price. must try if you like fish
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Vai e Volta
Nº2 Largo do GrémioThis is close walking distance...only open for lunch.. and is all you can eat fish. Decent food. Great price. must try if you like fish
My favorite restaurant in the Algarve. Great spot for lunch with an ocean view; right ontop of the beach. A good 40 min drive but well worth it for a day trip to the beach and grab lunch there. Absolutely the best fresh fish and seafood in the Algarve, stunning views, great rice, great everything. Pricey and you will have to make reservations in the summer. +351 289 396 435 My #1 SPOT Michelin *the rice is out of this world. The shrimp is sooo gooood! For fish get a freshly fished Robalo; really can’t go wrong here!!!
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2 Passos
3404 Praia do AncãoMy favorite restaurant in the Algarve. Great spot for lunch with an ocean view; right ontop of the beach. A good 40 min drive but well worth it for a day trip to the beach and grab lunch there. Absolutely the best fresh fish and seafood in the Algarve, stunning views, great rice, great everything. Pricey and you will have to make reservations in the summer. +351 289 396 435 My #1 SPOT Michelin *the rice is out of this world. The shrimp is sooo gooood! For fish get a freshly fished Robalo; really can’t go wrong here!!!
Best Little Indian restaurant in Olhão. If you like Indian food you will like this little place. Right in the center of the city. great little walk. good food at good prices
RESTAURANTE INDIAN HUT
2 R. Vasco da GamaBest Little Indian restaurant in Olhão. If you like Indian food you will like this little place. Right in the center of the city. great little walk. good food at good prices
The is a top notch Italian pizza place about a 10-15 min walk right in the center on the promenade. Really good thin crust Italian pizza. If your looking for your pizza fix this is the place to go to in town!
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Pizza na Pedra
50 Av. 5 de OutubroThe is a top notch Italian pizza place about a 10-15 min walk right in the center on the promenade. Really good thin crust Italian pizza. If your looking for your pizza fix this is the place to go to in town!
This is the latest low cost seafood in town; super trendy. P. Will add photos once I visit :-)
Mau Mau Maria
24 Largo João da CarmaThis is the latest low cost seafood in town; super trendy. P. Will add photos once I visit :-)
Parks & Nature
Great for bird watching. Hiking along the salinas and paths.. Can also take boat tours, go diving see dolphins and lost of seahorses other marine life.
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Naturparken Ria Formosa
Great for bird watching. Hiking along the salinas and paths.. Can also take boat tours, go diving see dolphins and lost of seahorses other marine life.
Essentials
Close by grocery store, you can walk there and use the grocery cart provided in the kitchen foyer. Or drive grab an uber. 10 min walk or 1min drive open 8am-10pm
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LIDL
2 Av. Calouste GulbenkianClose by grocery store, you can walk there and use the grocery cart provided in the kitchen foyer. Or drive grab an uber. 10 min walk or 1min drive open 8am-10pm
This is a little further away. But if you are looking for a TOP end supermarket with all the best produce sourced internationally then this is worth a trip! More expensive than most, but the most selection with a lot of imported products!
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Apolónia Supermercados
271 Av. 5 de OutubroThis is a little further away. But if you are looking for a TOP end supermarket with all the best produce sourced internationally then this is worth a trip! More expensive than most, but the most selection with a lot of imported products!
Farmácia Progresso Olhão
174C Av. 5 de OutubroClosest Pharmacy within walking distance
This supermarket opened up in 2020, a good 30min drive basically a Tesco with lots of Tesco branded products and other British brands. Super cheap chocolates this is where I get my Cadbury’s fix.
The Food co. - British Supermarket - Suppliers of Tesco
48 Avenida Duarte PachecoThis supermarket opened up in 2020, a good 30min drive basically a Tesco with lots of Tesco branded products and other British brands. Super cheap chocolates this is where I get my Cadbury’s fix.
Shopping
This is a fresh fish and fruit market. they are the red buildings that you can see half way down the promenade. Get fresh fruit everyday. For best fresh fish and seafood go early in the morning. Tuesday-Saturday. Most fish is fished in local waters. A tip: The employees will scale filet your fish for free FYI, however you want it prepared!
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Olhão Markets, E.E.M.
Avenida 5 de OutubroThis is a fresh fish and fruit market. they are the red buildings that you can see half way down the promenade. Get fresh fruit everyday. For best fresh fish and seafood go early in the morning. Tuesday-Saturday. Most fish is fished in local waters. A tip: The employees will scale filet your fish for free FYI, however you want it prepared!
Entertainment & Activities
Close by /center of Olhão, great for Rainy Days. Indoor Kart track. have loads of fun with your friends. Inside a small shopping mall. Open from after lunch to 11pm most every day! have fun!!
Algarve Indoor Kart Center
43 R. Vitoriano RosaClose by /center of Olhão, great for Rainy Days. Indoor Kart track. have loads of fun with your friends. Inside a small shopping mall. Open from after lunch to 11pm most every day! have fun!!
Close by movie theatre. Decent movie theatre. Great for rainy days. Closest movie theatre to apartment. https://filmspot.pt/cinema/algarcine-cinemas-de-olhao-81/ to check available shows and times
Algarcine
Close by movie theatre. Decent movie theatre. Great for rainy days. Closest movie theatre to apartment. https://filmspot.pt/cinema/algarcine-cinemas-de-olhao-81/ to check available shows and times
Arts & Culture
This is the oldest town close by. It has lots of restaurants, old roman churches, museums, restaurants etc. Even the main bridge is a surviving Roman relic.. Great for a day trip and to walk around at night. A 20 min drive but one of my favorite algarve spots
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Tavira
This is the oldest town close by. It has lots of restaurants, old roman churches, museums, restaurants etc. Even the main bridge is a surviving Roman relic.. Great for a day trip and to walk around at night. A 20 min drive but one of my favorite algarve spots