Olhao and Fuseta

Working fishing towns on the Ria Formosa lagoon, known for seafood markets, cubic architecture, and barrier island beaches.

Olhao is a working fishing town eight kilometres east of Faro, known for its two waterfront market halls (one for fish, one for fruit and vegetables), its Moorish-influenced cubic architecture, and its connections by ferry to the barrier islands of Armona, Culatra, and Farol. The town has the largest fishing fleet in the Algarve and retains a grittier, more authentic atmosphere than most coastal settlements. The waterfront restaurants serve some of the freshest seafood in the region, and the Saturday morning market draws buyers from across the central Algarve. In recent years, Olhao has attracted a growing number of foreign residents and creative businesses, drawn by relatively affordable property and genuine Portuguese character. Fuseta (also spelled Fuzeta), a few kilometres east, is a smaller fishing village with a similar character. Its beach, on the barrier island facing the town, is reached by a short boat crossing or, at low tide, by a tidal causeway. The Ria Formosa nature reserve wraps around both towns, and birdwatching, kayaking, and boat trips through the lagoon channels are popular activities. Together, Olhao and Fuseta offer an experience of the working Algarve that the resort towns cannot match.