Olhão - History
The town of Olhão is essentially and historically linked to the local fishing industry and only grew into existence in the 17th Century. It has about 30,000 inhabitants and was raised to the status of a town after 17 local fishermen successfully crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 1808 in the fishing boat “Bom Sucesso” without charts. Their purpose was to announce to the exiled King of Portugal, Dom João IV, that the French invading armies had been defeated and had returned to France leaving Portugal free for the King to return. It was in this town in 1882 that the first canning factory for tuna and sardines was established. Very soon canning factories spread along the coast and it became the leading industry of the Algarve.

Olhão - Description
Architecturally the town is well known for an older quarter where the flat terraced roofs and straight box-shaped chimneys show a definite Moorish flavour. The fish market in a long building on the waterfront is a "must" to visitors. Every morning there is a lively noisy atmosphere and the impressively large variety of fish offered by the local catch is displayed to tempt the housewife.

Olhão - Nearby Locations
Travelling east from Olhão is the small sea village of Fuseta with the ruins of a castle and the older similar architectural style houses. To the north is the village of Moncarapacho with a 16th Century Church and a small local museum next door. On the nearby hill named Cerro da Cabeça there is a popular Grotto named after the village. From the town of Olhão there is a ferry service that takes visitors to the nearby small islands of Ilha da Culatra and Ilha da Armona. With their unspoilt sandy beaches and the pleasant lack of construction these islands act as an agreeable contrast to the noise and bustle of the neighbouring town.