Olhão.

Olhão is a genuine fishing town on the eastern Algarve, distinguished by its flat-roofed whitewashed houses that reflect North African influence. The vibrant municipal market, housed in twin red-brick buildings, sells the day's catch alongside local produce. From the waterfront, ferries shuttle visitors to the pristine barrier islands of Culatra and Armona, where empty beaches and fishing communities maintain a slower pace. The town preserves its maritime character with traditional boat builders, family-run seafood restaurants, and a relaxed atmosphere rarely found in the busier Algarve resorts.