Olhão
A working fishing port on the Algarve's Ria Formosa, known for its fish market and flat-roofed white houses, with ferries to the barrier islands.
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Olhão is a fishing port on the Ria Formosa, a lagoon on the south coast of Portugal's Algarve region. It is the seat of its municipality and the most densely populated parish there, so its old streets are narrow and crowded. Many houses have flat roofs and white walls stacked in blocks. The Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário was built in the first half of the 17th century and became the parish centre after Olhão was made an ecclesiastical parish in 1695. The 1755 Lisbon earthquake damaged it, and the rebuilding added five altars.
The municipal fish and vegetable market and the waterfront are the main reasons to visit. Ferries leave the harbor for the barrier islands of Armona and Culatra, where the beaches are the draw. Plan one or two days if you want seafood and a slower pace than the resort towns, or come as a day trip from Faro. Visit in spring or early autumn for mild weather.
Olhão in five
- Take the regular ferry to reach island beachesVisit Algarve says regular ferry services are the only way to reach several Ria Formosa beaches. Armona and Culatra (Farol, Culatra, Hangares) are the usual choices from Olhão.
- Check the ferry timetable on the daySailings follow tides, silting and weather, so confirm times with the operator and note the last boat back. Missing it means a taxi boat or a night on the island.
- Visit the municipal markets in the morningThe Mercados de Olhão fish and vegetable halls are the town's best-known stop, and a Saturday producers' market runs beside them. Go early and check hours on the Mercados de Olhão site.
- Use the Algarve line for the arrivalOlhão is on the Algarve line between Faro and the east, so trains from Faro are quick and the station is near the harbor. The ferry quay is a short walk from the center.
- Choose a quiet island beach, not a resortIsland beaches have sand, a few cafés and little else. Bring water, sun cover and cash, and do not expect shops or pharmacies.Faro travel guide
Need to know
- Airport
- Faro (FAO), about 15 to 25 minutes by road
- Getting there
- Algarve line train from Faro, or car via the A22
- Getting around
- Walk the center and harbor; ferries to the islands
- Best base
- Olhão for a working-town feel, Faro for more services
- Time needed
- A day for the markets and an island, two with the Ria Formosa
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryClear6 rainy daysHigh16°Low11°Mild, quietJanuaryClear
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 43 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy5 rainy daysHigh16°Low12°Mild, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 46 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh17°Low12°Mild, warmingMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, warming
- AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh19°Low14°Warm, easyAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 47 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, easy
- MayClear4 rainy daysHigh23°Low16°Warm, easyMayClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 27 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, easy
- JuneClear3 rainy daysHigh26°Low18°Hot, ferries busyJuneClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 10 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, ferries busy
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh28°Low20°Hot, busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh29°Low21°Hot, peakAugustClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, peak
- SeptemberClear3 rainy daysHigh26°Low20°Warm seaSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 18 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- OctoberClear6 rainy daysHigh23°Low18°Warm, quietOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 65 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quiet
- NovemberClear8 rainy daysHigh19°Low14°Mild, showersNovemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 60 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, showers
- DecemberClear7 rainy daysHigh17°Low12°Mild, coolDecemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 62 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, cool
Average daily high and low in Olhão, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Olhão
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
21
- Feels like
- 21°
- Humidity
- 61%
- Wind
- 10 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Olhão
08:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today23°15°0%Monday: Clear. High 23°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue22°15°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed21°11°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu20°12°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri20°12°3%Friday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Sat22°16°39%Saturday: Rain. High 22°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 39%.
- Sun21°19°78%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 21°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 78%.
Updated 05:28 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Apr–OctInternational Sand Sculpture FestivalSilves, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Armona islandby regular ferrySand, a quiet beach strip and a few cafés across the lagoon.
- Culatra islandby regular ferryFishing villages, Farol lighthouse and long beaches.
- Faroa short train rideAn old town, a marina and the airport.Read the guide
Before you go to Olhão
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Olhão, checked
- Visit Algarve: regular ferries are the only way to reach several Ria Formosa beaches; Culatra (Farol, Culatra, Hangares) and Armona lie close to Olhão.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Olhão
Old town, airport and Ria Formosa
Read the guideAlgarve overviewBeaches, caves and the main bases
Read the guideLagos travel guideCoves and a walled old town west
Read the guideTavira travel guideThe next town east on the Algarve line
Read the guideTrains in PortugalAlgarve line and long-distance links
Read the guideAll of PortugalCities, coast and entry rules
Read the guideOlhão FAQ
Is Olhão worth visiting?
Yes for the fish market, the harbor and the island beaches, especially in May, June and September. It is a working town, not a resort, so beach-bar nightlife is limited.
How do you get to Armona from Olhão?
By the regular ferry from the Olhão quay, which runs to the island beaches. Times change by season and tide, so check the operator's current timetable and the last boat back.
Which is better, Armona or Culatra?
Armona has easy ferry access and a sandy strip with cafés. Culatra has fishing villages, the Farol lighthouse and longer, quieter beaches, but takes more planning. Choose by how far you want to walk.
Is Olhão better than Faro?
Olhão is smaller, more local and closer to the island ferries, while Faro has the old town, the airport and more services. Many visitors stay in Faro and make a day trip to Olhão.
When is the Olhão fish market open?
It is a morning market, with a Saturday producers' market beside it. Check the council's Mercados de Olhão site for current hours, which can differ on holidays, before you go.