Olhão in Vanlife mode, travel guide to the typical Algarve town in Portugal
Introduction
With its magnificent white sandy beaches and turquoise waters, Olhão is a town in southern Portugal well worth discovering. It’s the most Portuguese town in the southern Algarve and is surrounded by little joys to discover.
If you are looking for the best places to visit and activities to do to explore the city, if you want to know where to park your motorhome in Olhao? then this article is for you!
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More about Olhao
History of Olhao: A revolution against the French
In 1808, French troops invaded Portugal and quickly took control of the town of Olhão. The French imposed their authority over the city and used its ports to send troops and military equipment to other parts of Napoleon’s Empire. However, the people of Olhão soon began to rebel against the French occupation and staged several uprisings against the French troops.
Finally, in 1811, Portuguese troops succeeded in driving the French out of the city and liberating Olhão. This victory was celebrated as a great victory for Portugal and marked the beginning of the end of the French occupation of Portugal. Olhão has remained an important trading and transport town for many years, and has continued to prosper thanks to its port and fish industry.
Location and climate
The village lies a few kilometers west of Faro – the region’s capital – about 30 km south of Tavira and halfway between Lagos and Olhão on the Algarve’s west coast. The region enjoys a warm, sunny climate almost all year round.
How to get to Olhao
The nearest airport to Olhão is Faro Airport (FAO), around 11.4 kilometers from the city. It is the Algarve’s main airport and offers flights to many national and international destinations.
Olhão has its own railway station, Estação de Olhão, which is served by regional and interregional trains on the Algarve line. You can take a train from Faro or Tavira to Olhão.
If you’re driving from Faro to Olhão, you can take the N125, a national road that crosses the Algarve. For international travelers, if you’re driving from Spain, you can take the A22 (also known as Via do Infante) to Faro, then take the N125 to Olhão.
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When should you take a RoadTrip to Olhao?
Olhão’s climate is Mediterranean, characterized by hot summers and mild winters. The maximum temperature in Olhão averages 21°C over the year, ranging from 16°C in January to 28°C in August. Rainfall averages 588mm over the year, with a minimum of 2mm in July and a maximum of 102mm in November.
Olhão has a pleasant year-round climate, but the weather is ideal from May to October. For swimming, the best period for a suitable water temperature is from July to October. Here is a summary table of average weather conditions by month:
| Month | Average temperature (°C) | Rainfall (mm) | Weather | Opinions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12°/16° | 57 | ☔️ | Favorable |
| February | 12°/16° | 62 | ☔️ | Favorable |
| March | 13°/17° | 73 | ☔️ | Favorable |
| April | 14°/19° | 66 | ☀️ | Favorable |
| May | 17°/22° | 33 | ☀️ | Ideal |
| June | 19°/25° | 6 | ☀️ | Ideal |
| July | 21°/27° | 2 | ☀️ | Ideal |
| August | 22°/28° | 4 | ☀️ | Ideal |
| September | 21°/26° | 21 | ☀️ | Ideal |
| October | 19°/23° | 73 | ☀️ | Ideal |
| November | 15°/19° | 102 | ☔️ | Favorable |
| December | 13°/17° | 94 | ☔️ | Favorable |
In conclusion, if you plan to visit Olhão, you can do so at any time of year, but the summer months are particularly ideal for enjoying the fine weather and the sea.
Having spent a whole year in the region, I can confirm that, contrary to what you might think, summer is NOT necessarily the best time to explore Olhao and the Algarve by motorhome. You may wonder why? Well, it’s the heat. Indeed, it can be suffocating at this time of year, which explains why some motorhome service areas are packed in winter but surprisingly neglected in summer! So it’s best to choose autumn or spring for your motorhome visit to Olhao and the Algarve.
Sleeping spots and motorhome service areas
The town of Ohlao doesn’t have an official camping area, but you’ll find two parking lots where you can sleep and where it’s tolerated to spend a few days. We had the opportunity to try one out, just a few minutes’ walk from the marina and market, and it does the job perfectly. You can also park in the Intermarché parking lot, which is also equipped with grey and black water cassette emptying and (non-drinking) water filling. Finally, it’s also possible to find a second place in town to empty and refill (drinking water), at a carwash on the outskirts of Olhao in the direction of Faro.
📍 Parking close to the marina
📍 Intemarché parking lot (oil change, non-drinking water refill) €2 – token to be collected from petrol station
📍 Station Lavage (oil change, drinking water refill) – €3 to €4 – open from 10:00 to 18:00
Places to empty and recharge without having to sleep are rare in the area. The Intermarché terminal has been giving up the ghost (since late 2022). The store doesn’t seem to want to fix it, and we even had a case of no water.
If you’re staying in this small part of the Algarve for a while and want to visit for less, the carwash could save your life several times over.
What can you do in Olhão, Algarve?
Olhão is a town in southern Portugal on the Algarve coast. It’s the ideal port of entry for exploring the Ria Formosa, a coastal natural park of great beauty. The city itself is a wonderful place to discover and offers visitors a variety of activities and sites to see.
Places to visit
Praia da Fuseta beach, just outside Olhão, is a beautiful white sandy beach bordered by the blue waters of the Rias Formosas islands. The beach stretches for several kilometers and is very popular with tourists, not least for its “big chair”, a giant wooden deckchair on the sand that invites visitors to relax. If you have several days to spare, take the time to discover the islands surrounding the Rias Formosas and their nature reserves. The best known are Faro Island, Culatra Island, D’armona Island and Barreta Island. You’ll be able to admire amazing landscapes, made up of a submerged lagoon, divided between the open sea and salt marshes.
The city’s emblematic market
The Olhão market is one of the most famous in the Algarve region and is renowned for its fresh fish and seafood, as well as its many stalls selling local fruit and vegetables. It is located in the heart of the city, in a red brick building constructed in the early 20th century.
The market is open every day except Sunday, and is particularly lively in the mornings, when local fishermen bring in their catch of the day. Here you can find a wide variety of fish and seafood, including catfish, sea bream, sea bass, mussels and cockles. There are also numerous stalls selling local fruit and vegetables, as well as meat, cheese and charcuterie.
The market is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, and is considered the heart of the city. The atmosphere is lively and colorful, with many local merchants offering their fresh, quality products.
Fun Activities for the Whole Family
A guided tour of Olhão’s historic center is an excellent way to discover the local culture. Visit the castle and fortifications, and enjoy the serene beauty of the city’s parks and canals. Another exciting activity in Olhão is a cruise on the canals of the Rias Formosas. This tour usually includes a local tasting, as well as a flight over the region’s most beautiful islands, where you can see the many species of birds that call them home.
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A treasure hunt is available in town, where you can encounter various legends in the form of statues. Perfect for fun with the kids. Some are very easy to find, like the statue of Olhao de Floripes, and others will give you a little more trouble.
Of all the islands to visit, Armona is full of tiny, exceptionally charming houses, the perfect place to get away from it all, at least in low season, because in high season it’s very, very busy.
I recommend a trip to the market to sample the local delicacies and immerse yourself in the local culture.
Where to eat in Olhao
There’s a wide variety of restaurants in Olhão, from traditional Portuguese to Indian to grilled fish and pizzerias, you can find something to suit your taste. Local restaurateurs offer the best of Portuguese and Mediterranean specialties, with a touch of creative cuisine. Don’t hesitate to venture out into the narrow streets, and don’t stay too close to the Marina.
The restaurants we were able to test and which offer very good value for money are the following:
- O trevo: A very small barbecued fish restaurant, for 10 euros you can have a mix of freshly caught fish of the day, with potatoes and salad. You only meet Portuguese people here, and you can feel that it’s very typical.
- Domino : A small address donated by friends who live in Olhao, a real treat for the budget-conscious, with typical dishes starting at €8. Incredible
- O Sardines: Here, too, you’ll find typical dishes and, when in season, plates of grilled sardines for less!
See the Vanlife video on the Olhao visit
The video subtitles are available in your language, don’t hesitate to activate them!
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In case you haven’t had enough
The Ria Formosa Natural Park offers a wide range of outdoor activities. Kayak, canoe and paddle board excursions on the estuary are organized daily, perfect for taking some time out and connecting with nature.
Boat trips around the islands, during which you can observe a variety of birds, are also very popular. You can also take a bike ride around the most picturesque coves and enjoy a moment of pure bliss in the midst of nature.
Seafood lovers can go to Olhão and spend a pleasant moment with local fishermen to learn the secrets of fishing and then share a lunch of freshly caught products.
When the weather’s fine, go for the beach. And don’t forget to visit the market & the beautiful town of Tavira
Conclusion
Olhao is a superb town in the Algarve for a stopover in a van or camper van, and the town itself has much to offer visitors. You can also explore the islands surrounding the Rias Formosas and their nature reserves. There’s a wide variety of fun things to do in Olhão, such as a guided tour of the city’s historic center or a cruise on the canals of the Rias Formosas.
There are also numerous restaurants serving Portuguese and Mediterranean cuisine. Finally, there are many offers available for hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions.
FAQ
Olhão is a town in southern Portugal on the Algarve coast. It’s the ideal port of entry for exploring the Ria Formosa, a coastal natural park of great beauty. The city itself is a wonderful place to discover and offers visitors a variety of activities and sites to see.
Olhão is a town in southern Portugal on the Algarve coast. It’s the ideal port of entry for exploring the Ria Formosa, a coastal natural park of great beauty. The city itself is a wonderful place to discover and offers visitors a variety of activities and sites to see.
The town of Ohlao doesn’t have an official camping area, but you’ll find two parking lots where you can sleep and where it’s tolerated to spend a few days. We had the opportunity to try one out, just a few minutes’ walk from the marina and market, and it does the job perfectly.
There’s a wide variety of restaurants in Olhão, from traditional Portuguese to Indian to grilled fish and pizzerias, you can find something to suit your taste. Local restaurateurs offer the best of Portuguese and Mediterranean specialties, with a touch of creative cuisine.
A guided tour of Olhão’s historic center is an excellent way to discover the local culture. Visit the castle and fortifications, and enjoy the serene beauty of the city’s parks and canals. Another exciting activity in Olhão is a cruise on the canals of the Rias Formosas.
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