Free Walking Tour Olhão, Portugal in the Algarve

Free Walking Tour Olhão, Portugal in the Algarve

Seasonal tourism splashes through the quiet fishing village of Olhão, Portugal, a locals-oriented town that fronts the Nature Park of Ria Formosa and sparkles with sweet mariner-oriented gems throughout its waterfront. We fell in love with it immediately.

the fishing village of Olhão
The fishing village of Olhão

High rises filled with expats and locals border the western edge of town next to the salt flats. In town, older apartments and two-story fisherman homes create narrow alleys to meander a town with roots that go back to 1378.

Fishermen moved into its abundant coast in the 17th century; it was from Olhão that a small group of 17 Portuguese sailed to Brazil to request town recognition from the Portuguese King who had fled during the French occupation of Portugal. This little town has a lot of punch.

Enjoy this self-guided walking tour of Olhão. You can see navigation for this walk here.

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The Train Station and WWI Monuments

Start your walk at the train station. You can catch the train several times a day to traverse the Algarve. The Linha do Algarve began in 1858 and connects Spain to Lagos. There are restrooms here for public use.

Olhão train station
Olhão train station

From the railroad station, walk toward the downtown, first passing by the World War I monument honoring locals who died in Mozambique and France. We enjoyed the sculpture of the sea nymph honoring the Olhãonese who’ve contributed to the world. Also notice the Judicial Courthouse with its lovely mosaics of Portuguese fishing boats.

Home of the Portuguese Water Dog

Follow the navigation until you come to a traffic circle. Admire the sculpture in the middle of the traffic circle entitled Mariscador Olhãonese, The “Seafood Eater” and his Portuguese Water Dog was placed in 2023.

Fish eater and his Portuguese water dog
Fish eater and his Portuguese water dog

The Portuguese Water Dog breed originated in the Algarve and were taught to herd fish into fishermen’s nets, retrieve lost tackle or broken nets, and act as couriers from ship to ship, or ship to shore. USA President Obama made them popular in the USA when he adopted two, named Bo and Sunny.

Black and White Forever?

traditional black and white sidewalks
Traditional black and white sidewalks

Walk along the working dock and then back into the centro of town to see the churches. Enjoy the gorgeous and traditional Portuguese sidewalks (calçada portuguesa) made of basalt and limestone. This style of sidewalk was first used in Lisbon from 1840 to 1846, during repairs to São Jorge Castle directed by general and engineer Eusebio Pinheiro Furtado. It has spread throughout the Portuguese empire, but is slowly being replaced by safer and more accessible materials due to the slipperiness of the original surfaces.

Church Row

As you walk toward the sea, you’ll come to the Igreja Matiz, a large church commanding the center of the street. This Chapel of the Lord Afflicted is covered with 20th century tiles and has been updated over time. Around the back, you’ll find a chapel, Our Lady of the Rosary finished in 1722, has honored seafarers for centuries. The inscription reads in English, “At the expense of the seaman of this people, the new temple was built, at the time there were a few huts.”

Continue just a bit further, and you’ll find the Parish Church, Church of our Lady of Solitude, used up until 1722. If you see nests on the towers, they are probably those of the Spanish storks!

local museum
The museum’s collection changes, so stop in often.

Next up, pass by the The Compromisso Marítimo (the Maritime Commitment, or the Royal Brotherhood of the Holy Body of the Mariners, originally a space formed in 1765 to help the fishermen of the area. Now, the building holds the Olhão Municipal Museum, which showcases maritime heritage, archaeology, numismatics, canning industry, plastic and decorative arts, photography, metrology, cinema, agro-maritime activities, naval models, weapons, freemasonry and pharmacy.

Murals Tell Stories

You’ll meander through the narrow alleyways of Olhão on your way to the local Pingo Doce along Largo and Rua da Fábrica Velha, on the edge of the Bairro do Levante, in Olhão. Stop in the store and grab yourself some treats and a drink, then walk outside into the courtyard.

Here you’ll find a series of murals and some sculptures. The murals, commissioned just a few years ago, were painted by four artists who specialize in urban art – Asur, a Portuguese artist known as dgiphi for commission work, and Pedro “Mistik”, “Gnose” and “Kaset” from The Satori Artistic Association.

These artists gathered old photos of the town; locals can identify themselves and their older family members in the photos.

Also in this square, you’ll see the sculpture, Legend of Marim. Enjoy this lover’s tale, as old as time as a current as today.

You’ll continue through the cubist-style homes until you come to another sculpture piece. This one is a bronze woman with flowing hair, the Legend of Floripes. Once again, you can enjoy another love story that is almost as old as time as the one above!

The Fresh Market

Walk toward the water, and you’ll see an entire row of restaurants and cafes with perfect outdoor seating. Make your way to the red brick building, Olhão’s local market. Harkening back to 1912, this daily market still thrives. On one end you’ll find fruit and vegetables, including local Portuguese cheeses. On the other end, you’ll find the daily catch from the local fleet. Be sure to get suggestions from the fishmongers on how to cook your dinner. After shopping, grab a cuppa and enjoy the local scene.

The Rise of Heroes

The Bom Sucesso (replica)
The Bom Sucesso (replica)

As you leave the market, look to the docks. You’ll see Olhão’s most famous boat, the Bom Sucesso. This replica helps tell the story of when Olhãons first rose up against French occupiers, leading the way for the entire Algarve to oust the French. 17 locals decided they needed to sail to Brazil to let their exiled King Joao VI know that the region has survived. The brave mariners made it; received honors and a new boat; and Olhão turned from a “place” to a “town.” Medals were bestowed including a Marquis of Olhão!

The Town in Summary

Once you leave the market, walk west along the boardwalk towards the small playground. There are several maritime focused statues. Make your way to the four benches with Portuguese tile artwork. The one with the sailboat in the middle and four boats around it honors the heroes of the Bom Sucesso. You’ll also see the local’s pride in their uprising against the French in the second bench, an ode and blessing to the fisherman’s safety, and of course, a blessing of the fleet.

You can complete the walk here, or continue westward toward the Marina where can walk out into the salt flats. During low tide, the flats are a great place to find sea glass. Or, for further afield, walk east toward the visitors center of the Rio Formosa Park. Inside the park, there’s 3 km circuit through the lagoons and by the old marine mill house, a fascinating engineering story.