Olhos de Agua holidays

How to reach Olhos de Água

Flight time: There are no direct flights to Olhos de Água. Flights to Faro Airport take approximately 2 hours 45 minutes from London.

Transfer time: From Faro Airport, Olhos de Água is around a 35-minute drive by car or taxi. Alternatively, public transport involves taking a bus or train to Albufeira, followed by a short taxi ride to Olhos de Água. The total travel time with public transport is about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Price: A taxi from Faro Airport to Olhos de Água typically costs €45–€55, while a public transport journey, including the bus or train and connecting taxi, costs around €12–€15 per person.

Best time to visit Olhos de Água

• March to May: One of the best times of year to visit is spring, when the weather is warm (average temperatures climb from 18°C to 23°C) but not too hot, and the summer crowds are yet to arrive.

• June to August: In July and especially August (the Portuguese holiday month) the resort is at its busiest – meaning crowded beaches among other things – and prices reach their peak. Temperatures hover around 30°C during the day, with barely a drop of rain and a solid 12 hours of sunshine daily.

• September to October: Another fantastic time to visit. The weather remains warm, with temperatures in the mid-20s, plenty of sunshine and the sea is still very pleasant for swimming.

• November to February: Although it’s winter, the weather remains very mild, averaging 10°C to 16°C with occasional rain showers (30–80mm per month). This is the time for cultural exploration and sipping coffee in quiet cafés.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: Portuguese is the official language, but English is spoken all along the coast.

• Local habits and customs: Do respect the traditional siesta hours between 1 pm and 3 pm when smaller shops might close; otherwise, dining is a leisurely affair and often starts late, around 8 or 9 pm. There is no hard and fast rule for tipping, which is not really a Portuguese custom; that said, in a café, restaurant or for taxis, it’s customary to round up the bill to the nearest euro or, for big amounts, the nearest note.

• Currency: Portugal uses the Euro. ATMs are easy to find and most establishments accept major credit cards. For smaller purchases in markets or cafés, having some cash handy is a good idea.

• Getting around: The town itself is walkable, but regular buses connect Olhos de Água to the likes of Albufeira and Vilamoura, with single fares costing around €2–€3. Taxis and ride-hailing services like Bolt are also available. If you plan to explore more of the Algarve, hiring a car is a good option.

• Electricity and plug types: Portugal uses the standard continental 220 volts and UK travellers will need a two-pin adaptor for their devices.

• Time zone: Portugal is in Western European Time (WET), the same as GMT. Daylight Saving Time is observed, so clocks move forward by an hour in summer.

Best things to do in Olhos de Água

Olhos de Água is a small coastal village between Albufeira and Villamoura, offering a low-key medley of stunning beaches, traditional Portuguese culture and easy access to nearby attractions.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Miradouro do Farol: Just a short walk from the village centre, this viewpoint offers breathtaking vistas of the coastline, particularly spectacular at sunset.

• Praia da Falésia cliffs: A cliff walk along Praia da Falésia will lead you to some memorable watery views.

Museums

• Museu Cerra da Vila, Villamoura: This extraordinary archaeological site displays the vestiges of a late Roman, Visigothic and Moorish colony. You can make out the foundations of a Roman mansion, baths and a fish-salting tank, together with a collection of well-preserved Roman mosaics laid out in a scrubby field.

• Museu Arqueológico, Albufeira: A well laid-out collection of artefacts from Neolithic times to the present, including fragments of mosaics from a Roman villa, Visigothic rock tombs and jars, and even an Islamic silo excavated in situ beneath the museum.

Historical monuments

• Paderne Castle: About 30 minutes away by car, this Moorish castle dates back to the 12th century and offers illuminating insight into the region’s medieval history – a lovely spot for a picnic too.

Day trips in the area

• Faro: Capital of the entire region, Faro boasts attractive mosaic-paved pedestrianised streets and marina-side gardens, while its university contributes to a nightlife scene at its most animated during term time.

• Albufeira: The old centre is a highly picturesque medley of whitewashed houses atop low sandstone cliffs facing a fantastic town beach. Around the town’s marina, a collection of brightly coloured, Lego-like modern shops, bars and apartments are clustered around in-your-face yachts and speedboats.

• Loulé: An important centre of commerce and still best known for its markets, the most interesting streets, a grid of whitewashed cobbled lanes, lie between the remains of its Moorish castle (now a museum) and the 13th-century Gothic Igreja Matriz, with its palm-lined gardens in front.

Activities for families in Olhos de Água

Olhos de Água is a great destination for families, especially for those who are fans of theme parks.

• Theme parks: Aquashow makes for the best fun day out on the coast. As well as a theme-park area with various rides and regular shows (sea lions, parrots and reptiles), the big attraction is the water-park zone which includes a panoply of slides, chutes and pools, including the terrifying vertical White Falls and a descent down a helter-skelter in the dark.

• Aquariums and zoos: Squarely aimed at families, Zoo Marine has various shows taking place throughout the day, including sea lions and dolphins; Krazy World is more low-key, harbouring a mini zoo-cum-petting-farm and a reptile zone complete with enormous pythons, crocodiles and a turtle city.

Free things to do in Olhos de Água

Travellers on a budget will find plenty of free activities in Olhos de Água, from exploring its natural beauty to immersing themselves in local culture.

• Beaches: The resort’s long stretch of sandy beach is free to access and perfect for leisurely walks, picnics or a dip in the sea.

• Free events: Nearby Loulé hosts a lively annual Carnival, celebrating Portuguese culture with colourful parades and music.

• Markets: Explore the local markets in nearby Almancil and Quarteira, which you can visit without any obligation to make a purchase.

Nature and outdoor activities in Olhos de Água

The stunning Algarve landscape surrounding Olhos de Água offers a wealth of outdoor adventures, from coastal walks to thrilling water sports.

• Horse riding: There’s superb family riding hereabouts, with Pinetrees Riding Centre one of the region’s better stables. They provide expert tuition for riders, whether novices or advanced, on quiet horses and ponies or more well-schooled Lusitanos.

• Wildlife watching: The Ria Formosa Natural Park, a protected lagoon system, is teeming with wildlife; you’ll quite likely spot flamingos, herons and even the elusive chameleon.

• Hiking and coastal walks: The famous Seven Hanging Valleys Trail is within easy reach, offering jaw-dropping views of the rugged coastline, golden beaches and hidden caves. Shorter trails closer to Olhos de Água, such as the paths around Praia da Falésia, are ideal for more leisurely strolls.

Beaches to enjoy on Olhos de Água holidays

Olhos de Água holidays are a paradise for beach lovers, offering a mix of golden sands, clear waters, and breathtaking coastal scenery. Whether you’re seeking a lively spot with amenities or a hidden cove for peace and quiet, the beaches here cater to every type of traveller.

• Praia dos Olhos de Água

  The main beach is a beautiful stretch of sand surrounded by striking cliffs and lush greenery. Known for its calm, shallow waters, it’s ideal for families and swimmers. The beach is also famous for its freshwater springs, which bubble up at low tide, giving the area its name—“Eyes of Water.”

• Praia da Falésia

  Just a short distance from Olhos de Água, Praia da Falésia is one of the Algarve’s most iconic beaches. With its dramatic red cliffs, endless golden sands, and turquoise waters, it’s perfect for long walks, sunbathing, or snapping unforgettable photos.

• Praia Maria Luísa

  Located nearby, this smaller and quieter beach offers a more tranquil atmosphere. With its golden sands and surrounding cliffs, Praia Maria Luísa is a great choice for couples seeking a peaceful retreat.

• Praia do Barranco das Belharucas

  Tucked away along the coast, this hidden gem provides a serene setting away from the crowds. Surrounded by cliffs and nature, it’s ideal for those looking to enjoy unspoiled beauty and a relaxing day by the sea.

From family-friendly shores to secluded hideaways, the beaches around Olhos de Água promise a memorable coastal experience on your Algarve holiday.

Local dishes in Olhos de Água

One of the best things about holidays to Olhos de Água is the culinary experience. The resort and surrounding area serve up a delicious mix of Portuguese classics and international flavours, with fresh seafood and local wines taking centre stage.

Some typical dishes

• Bacalhau: Pretty much the national dish, this dried, salted cod reputedly has 365 different ways of being prepared: the best for first-timers to try are bacalhau á bras (fried with egg, onions and potatoes) and bacalhau com natas (baked in cream).

• Grilled chicken: Almost a second national dish, this is usually enlivened by the addition of peppery piri-piri sauce.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Sardinhas assadas: Providing one of the country’s most appetising smells, this summertime staple of grilled sardines is served simply with olive oil, garlic and lemon.

• Arroz de polvo: Octopus rice, a local favourite, combines tender octopus with a rich, tomato-based sauce.

Meat dishes

• Porco à alentejana: A delicious fusion of pork and clams cooked with paprika and white wine, served with fried potatoes or bread.

• Espetada: Skewered and grilled meat, often served with garlic butter, fresh bread and a glass of local wine.

Sweets and desserts

Dom Rodrigo is a blend of shredded egg yolks, sugar and almonds wrapped in foil, while another favourite is bolo de figo, a dense, fig-based cake spiced with cinnamon and fennel. For something lighter, try tarte de alfarroba, a carob tart with a slightly chocolatey flavour.

Local drinks

• Aguardente: The best-known Algarve firewaters are brandy mel, made from honey and the fruit of the strawberry tree and which tastes a bit like schnapps; and amêndoa amarga, made from almonds.

• Vinho verde: Portugal’s excellent wines distinguish not only between tinto (red), branco (white) and rosé, but between verde (“green”, meaning young, acidic and slightly sparkling) and maduro (“mature”).

• White port and tonic: A refreshing twist on the classic fortified wine, mixed with tonic water and served over ice.