If you are pootling along the N125 through Olhão or even on the train you might think “this town doesn’t look very attractive” and it is because of that first impression most people never stop to explore this wonderful Algarve town.
Those visitors who are a bit more intrepid and do visit, usually do so because they either want to take a ferry across to the wonderful lhas of Armona and Culatra, or are staying at the relatively 
new and enormous 5*Real Marina Hotel & Apartments at the western end of the water front, or are simply visiting one of the best fish markets in the Algarve.
There is though so much more to this town than that. I suspect most visitors once they get past the modern buildings on the N125 are pleasantly surprised by the lovely promenade and Jardim Pescador do Olhanense on the water front. There are also stunning buildings in the heart of the town, you just need to be inquisitive to find the decorative wrought iron balconies, carved stonework and colourful tiles.
They are though there, alongside wonderful people, restaurants and snack bars. All of which I will be returning to in later blogs. But the main reason I have started this blog is to share the hidden delight of Olhão – the saltpans and marshes.
The flowers are wonderful even mid Winter, they are a great spot to watch the sunsets and it is birdwatching heaven as it is easy to get to, most times the birds are willing to pose for photographs and the light is good.
So if you are reading this and are planning a visit to the Algarve, don’t let yourself be put off by the appearance from the N125, the abandoned buildings or graffiti after all the storks aren’t!
You might find the plastic bottles in the marshes and modern monstrosities of Olhão a bit more challenging (and at times I certainly do despair of the rubbish at least), but if you can overlook them then congratulations as you will be discovering Olhão.
Through this blog I will be sharing photos, tips and memories of our stays in Olhão and excursions further afield, so do bookmark or follow my blog and discover the hidden delights with me. oh and be prepared for lots of photos of birds! For more information visit https://beckyinportugal.com/useful-links/
Beautiful colection