Are you planning a holiday in the Algarve and want to experience more than just beaches and resorts? Consider the charming, traditional fishing town of Olhão for your southern Portugal itinerary. In addition to its authentic local experiences, Olhão sits right on the edge of the Ria Formosa Natural Park, one of our country’s most important protected landscapes.
With its lagoon system, islands, saltmarshes, and wildlife, the area is a natural fit for slow, meaningful travel, something we offer further along the coast with our Faro boat trips to Ria Formosa.
This guide looks at the best ecotourism in Olhão, the top outdoor experiences in and around the town, and how it works perfectly as a side trip from Faro. Scroll down to get started!
Why Olhão is Perfect for Eco-Minded Travellers
Olhão has a very different feel from some of the Algarve’s larger resort towns. It’s working, local, and deeply connected to the sea. Fishing boats still line the waterfront, markets sell the daily catch, and life here moves at a gentler pace.
That makes Olhão ideal for travellers interested in sustainable tourism in the Algarve. Rather than large-scale attractions, the focus is on nature, local culture, and outdoor exploration. Whether you’re into kayaking, birdwatching, cycling, or island-hopping, Olhão offers easy access to some of the Algarve’s best natural environments without losing its authentic character.
All of this and more is why we included a trip to Olhão in our list of the best things to do in the Eastern Algarve.
Ria Formosa and Olhão – Nature at the Heart of Your Experience
Much like our home city of Faro, Olhão’s greatest asset is its location inside the Ria Formosa Natural Park. This protected area stretches for around 60 kilometres along the coast and includes barrier islands, tidal lagoons, saltpans, marshes, and sandbanks. Find out even more about this special place in our Essential Guide to Ria Formosa Natural Park.
The park is a biodiversity hotspot and Ria Formosa ecotourism is a key reason why people visit the Algarve from all around the world. It’s home to hundreds of bird species, including flamingos, spoonbills, herons, and migratory waders, as well as seahorses, fish nurseries, and shellfish beds.
For visitors, this means Olhão is a gateway to one of the Algarve’s most important natural systems. Many of the best Algarve nature activities begin right here, on the edge of the lagoon.
Ecotourism Activities in and Around Olhão
Boat Trips and Island Hopping
One of the most popular things to do in Olhão is to explore the nearby islands. From the harbour, boats run out to Armona, Culatra, and Farol. These barrier islands offer wide sandy beaches, traditional fishing communities, and crystal-clear Atlantic water.
Visitors can choose between scheduled ferries, private boat rentals, or guided trips. Independent travel is possible, but guided experiences often add insight into the lagoon’s ecology and the islands’ history, helping visitors understand what they’re seeing rather than just passing through it.
Ria Formosa Kayaking
Kayaking is one of the most immersive eco activities the Algarve has to offer. The calm, shallow channels of the Ria Formosa are ideal for beginners and families, and paddling through them allows you to move quietly through sensitive habitats.
From a kayak, you can observe birds feeding, fish moving through the water and the changing patterns of the tides. It’s a low-impact way to connect with nature and a perfect example of responsible travel in action.
Looking for something similar in Faro? We’ve got you covered with our Faro Kayak Rentals!
Birdwatching and Nature Walks
Olhão is a strong base for birdwatching thanks to its proximity to wetlands and saltpans. Early mornings and late afternoons are especially rewarding, when birds are most active and the light is soft.
Even without specialist equipment, casual walkers can spot flamingos, avocets, stilts, and egrets around the lagoon. Nature walks along quiet paths and tracks give you time to slow down, observe, and appreciate the rhythms of the park.
Better yet, our Ria Formosa Birdwatching Tour from Faro offers even better views of birdlife out on the water. And your expert nature guide shares fascinating details that add depth to the incredible sights you see.
Cycling Along the Coast
The Algarve’s Ecovia Litoral cycle route passes near Olhão and links towns, beaches, and natural areas along the coast. The terrain is mostly flat, making it accessible for casual cyclists.
Hopping on a bike is a great way to explore the region at your own pace, discover hidden viewpoints, and move between towns without relying on a car. It’s also one of the most sustainable ways to enjoy the Algarve outdoors.
Surfing, Windsurfing, and Water Sports
While the lagoon itself is calm, the nearby Atlantic coast offers excellent conditions for surfing, bodyboarding, and windsurfing. Equipment rental is widely available, meaning you don’t need to bring your own gear on holiday.
For active travellers, combining lagoon-based ecotourism with ocean sports creates a balanced and adventurous Algarve itinerary.
Fishing and Maritime Traditions
Olhão’s fishing heritage remains central to its identity. Visitors can learn about traditional fishing methods, local species, and the relationship between the community and the sea.
Whether through a simple shoreline fishing experience or by visiting the markets, this connection helps travellers understand how people and nature coexist in the Ria Formosa region.
Olhão vs Faro – How They Complement Each Other
Olhão and Faro are only about 20 minutes apart by car and 10 minutes by train, but they offer different, appealing experiences.
Olhão is quieter, more local, and ideal for travellers who enjoy slow exploration and nature-based activities. Faro, on the other hand, is the Algarve’s capital, with a historic old town, more transport links, and a wide range of guided experiences. Faro is also home to the Algarve’s only international airport, too.
All of this shows how these destinations perfectly complement one another. For many visitors, staying in Faro offers the perfect blend of culture, adventure, and local authenticity, with the connections to make day trips here and there — and Olhão is one of the most popular.
If you’re planning on staying in Faro and exploring the surrounding region, don’t miss our Algarve Transportation Guide!
Explore the Ria Formosa from Faro with Formosamar
Formosamar is based in Faro and specialises in nature-led experiences in the Ria Formosa and surrounding coastal waters. From boat tours and island trips to birdwatching and wildlife experiences, our focus is on sharing the park responsibly and with local knowledge.
Joining a guided tour from Faro allows you to explore the same ecosystem you see from Olhão, but with expert interpretation and access to areas that are difficult to reach independently.
Ready to find out more? Browse our range of Faro boat trips to Ria Formosa and see which ones stir your sense of adventure.
Do you have any pre-booking questions? Please don’t hesitate to contact us for the answers you need.
