Olhão is the gateway to some beautiful islands (Image: Getty)
You might think you know the , but have you experienced Olhão and its nearby islands?
Just a 15-minute drive from Faro airport, Olhão is a delightful fishing renowned for its seafood, charming streets, and traditional architecture, featuring picturesque churches, vibrant bougainvillea, and colourful buildings.
Unlike other Algarve towns, Olhão has remained largely untouched by mass tourism, making it an authentic destination to discover.
The nearby barrier islands are just a short ferry away include Armona, Culatra, and Farol.
The islands are part of the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, with breathtaking white-sand, car-free beaches and a serene atmosphere.
:
Culatra island also boasts stunning sandy beaches (Image: Getty)
Armona is known for its white-sand beach stretching over several miles and is the closest island to the mainland.
The beach is divided into two sections: Praia da Armona Ría, which faces the mainland and is home to bars and restaurants, and Praia da Armona Mar, which faces the Atlantic Ocean and boasts a vast, peaceful stretch of sand.
Culatra also boasts stunning sandy beaches with crystal-clear waters to the south and peaceful lagoons to the north, along with a selection of restaurants.
Don’t miss… [REPORT]
Explore Olhao’s old town (Image: Getty)
Armona island is closest to the mainland (Image: Getty)
Farol island is another stunning island with white-sand beaches and has a lighthouse which dates back to 1851.
The island’s landscape is a mix of sandy beaches, dunes, and saltwater lagoons, with crystal-clear waters that make it perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing.
Farol island has a few restaurants and cafés offering fresh seafood and other Portuguese dishes.