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Hotel Class: 
3 Stars - 31 Opinions
Olhao, 8700, Portugal
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of people enjoy staying here
31 Opinions
Pedestrian shopping
Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário
Cheerful colouring!
At Praca da Restauracao
Quinta de Marim is a natural reserve located on the outskirts of Olhao, just next to the camping park.It's a very nice place to walk,do some jogging or just chill by the sea.If you like photographing wildlife,this is the place for you.Flamingos,wild ducks,lots of different species of aquatic birds,chameleons and other reptiles,etc,it's all there.They even have a few hideouts if you want to do some birdwatching without scaring the animals away.
Located inbetween Faro and Tavira, Olhão is the largest fishing port in the Algarve. It is full of character with Moorish-style houses, an influence from the commercial links with Africa. Although Olhão only really became a town of note in the 19th century, it was first mentioned in 1378. At this time it would have been a very small fishing settlement of a handful of people, living in huts made of wood, reeds and straw on the beach. By 1679 it was important enough to need the building of the fortress of São Lorenço to defend it from pirates.
The town has a few interesting places to visit such as the two market buildings built side-by-side along the waterfront; the Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário in the centre of the town that was built in 1698 with contributions from the fishermen when it was the first stone building in Olhão; and, opposite the church, a small museum. I came here on my way to Tavira one morning and stopped for an hour or so to have a walk around.
The town of Olhão is essentially and historically linked to the local fishing industry and only grew into existence as a significant location in the 17th Century. It has about 30,000 inhabitants and was raised to the status of a town in 1808 on the 16th of June when they revolted against the French occupying army. Then 17 local fishermen successfully crossed the Atlantic Ocean without charts in their small fishing boat “Bom Sucesso”. 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 their 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.
The town of Olhão with its 30,000 inhabitants is essentially and historically linked to the local fishing industry. Today the most important factory branch is the canning factory for tuna and sardines. Olhão is well known for the 17 local fishermen who crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 1808 in the fishing boat “Bom Sucesso” without a map to announce their exiled King, Dom João IV, that the French invading armies had been defeated and that it was for the King to return to Portugal.
You could say that these two buildings (built in 1915) are the main landmarks of Olhao plus their location right on the waterfront means that they entice tourists in to visit. One building holds the fish market where you’ll find a huge variety of extremely fresh fish and sea food straight from the port. The other holds the town’s fruit and vegetable market. The market halls are surrounded by pavement cafes and it's a great place to sit and enjoy the view of the boats moored along the waterfront by the marina.
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Q: Hotels in Olhão? "Hi, Are there any hotels in Olhão, I mean in the centre, or in the town itself? I can only find pensões listed. Did the Hotel..."
A: "There is a big hotel on the northern edge of town on the N125 road called http://www.residencialarmona.com/uk/index.php and also a new one down by the..."
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