Olháo, Portugal

Olháo, Portugal is a major port and actually the largest fishing port in the Algarve.  It is full of character with Moorish style houses, an influence from the commercial links with Africa. In fact, the beach area of Olháo is Portugal's southern-most point.  The waterfront area has two market buildings side by side, one exclusively selling fish and the other fruits and vegetables.  In addition, on Saturdays, there is a large outside market on the wharf between the market buildings and the water.  In the next blog I will show you the wonders and people of the Olháo Saturday market. Here we will take a look at Olháo.

Harbor which is right downtown

This boat, the "Bom Sucesso", with a crew of 17 fishermen, sailed to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
 in 1808 to inform Portugal's Regent Prince of the defeat of Napoleon in Olháo and the
French retreat from Portugal.  The trip took 2 1/2 months

Small fishing boats

Fisherman working with his nets

Throughout the town the narrow streets and walkways
have these wonderful mosaic patterns.

Of course there are shops to lure you

Old, crumbling building facades spark the imagination as to what might
have gone on behind the walls

Fascinating doorways are a hallmark of the towns of
the eastern Algarve

These unique door knockers are thought to be of Moorish origin