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 Olhão History
This 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. Another architectural curiosity
for the visitor is the fish market on the waterfront. 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 lack of
construction these islands act as a pleasant contrast to the noise
and bustle of the neighbouring town.
Olhão Events
Feira da Laranja - 3rd Saturday & Sunday of August
Market Day: 3rd Monday every month
Municipal Day: 3rd September
Olhão Photos
Church
· Square
· Store
· Street
· Marina
· Sea
· Town
· Island
 Useful Olhão Telephone Numbers
Town Hall - 289 700 100
Fire Brigade - 289 713 202
Police - 289 702 144
Emergency Treatment - 289 704 648
Ambulance - 289 702 108
Tourist Office - 289 713 936
Algarve Towns
Albufeira
· Almancil
· Alvor
· Armação de Pera
· Carvoeiro
· Faro
· Lagoa
· Lagos
· Loulé
· Monchique
· Portimão
· Quarteira
· Sagres
· Silves
· Tavira
· Vilamoura
· Vila Real de Santo António
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