national park
Ria Formosa Natural Park
A lagoon labyrinth of barrier islands, salt marsh and flamingos stretching along the eastern Algarve coast.
1 km · about 5 min drive
EuropePortugalFaro
Olhão
Faro, Portugal · Europe
About Olhão
Olhão works well as a base: 5 minutes from Quelfes, 1km from Ria Formosa Natural Park.
Olhão is in Faro, Portugal, with about 29,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Quelfes, about 4 km away.
Olhão, officially the City of Olhão da Restauração, is a city and municipality in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. The population of the municipality in 2011 was 45,396, in an area of 130.86 km2 (50.53 sq mi). Located near the regional capital Faro and forming a single urban agglomeration, it is a fishing portRead more
and tourist center. Along with Faro, Loulé and Tavira, Olhão forms a conurbation from the eastern and central Algarve.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Olhão?
Within an hour or so of Olhão: Ria Formosa Natural Park (1 km), Faro Cidade Velha (8 km), EN125 Coastal Road (16 km), Tavira (20 km).
Are there any good drives near Olhão?
The nearest famous roads are EN125 Coastal Road.
Where is Olhão?
Olhão is in Faro, Portugal, about 4 km from Quelfes.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 29,239
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Portugal
- Region
- Faro
- Timezone
- Europe/Lisbon
- Coordinates
- 37.0286, -7.8411
Tags
Worth the detour from Olhão
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
Faro Cidade Velha
Walled medieval old town with cobbled lanes, a cathedral and a bone chapel, gateway to the Ria Formosa.
8 km · about 15 min drive
famous road
EN125 Coastal Road
The classic east-west Algarve artery linking the region's beach towns, villages and clifftop detours.
16 km · about 20 min drive
landmark
Tavira
Genteel riverside town of churches and a Roman bridge, a relaxed base for the eastern Algarve.
20 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
Vilamoura Marina
The Algarve's glossy marina lined with yachts, restaurants and golf, a lively coastal pit stop.
25 km · about 30 min drive
beach
Praia da Falésia
A near-endless beach backed by striped ochre and red cliffs running for kilometres near Albufeira.
30 km · about 35 min drive
waterfall
Alte
One of the Algarve's prettiest inland villages, with whitewashed houses, springs and gentle waterfalls.
38 km · about 45 min drive
beach
Praia da Marinha
A stunning Algarve beach framed by golden limestone cliffs, sea arches, and crystal-clear Atlantic waters.
51 km · about 60 min drive
Driving roads near Olhão
- 16 kmEN125 Coastal RoadThe classic east-west Algarve artery linking the region's beach towns, villages and clifftop detours.
- 74 kmFóia (Serra de Monchique)The Algarve's highest peak, reached by a twisting road with sweeping views over coast and hills.
Driving in Portugal
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€1.78/litre
- Motorway tolls
- ~€9.00/100km
When to drive here
April to October
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