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 Olhão - History
The 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. The fish market in a long building on the
waterfront is a "must" to visitors. 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 the pleasant
lack of construction these islands act as an agreeable 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
Olhão Distances
Distances between each Tourist Town in Kms (Click Here)
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 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
Olhão Restaurants
Selected List in Olhão Area
Olhão Vehicle Hire
Rent a Car
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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