Olhao and Ilha da Armona

Olhao is a working fishing port 9 km east of Faro on the Algarve coast of Portugal, and the CP train from Faro station reaches it in about 10 minutes for roughly EUR 1.50 to 2.50 one way. That makes it the shortest day trip from Faro and one that suits a relaxed schedule. The centre is compact and flat, with the railway station a few minutes from the waterfront. The main draw is the pair of red-brick municipal market buildings on Avenida 5 de Outubro beside the Ria Formosa, one for fish and one for fruit, vegetables and local produce. Mornings are the busiest and most atmospheric time, and the market is particularly lively on Saturdays. Behind the waterfront, the old town of low cube-shaped whitewashed houses with flat roofs and rooftop terraces shows a North African influence that is unusual in Portugal. A walk through the narrow lanes around the Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Rosario leads to the promenade and gardens along the water. The central activity is a boat trip to the barrier islands in the Ria Formosa natural park. Ferries leave from the Olhao ferry terminal for Ilha da Armona, Ilha da Culatra and Farol, with more frequent crossings from April to October; the crossing to Armona takes roughly 15 to 30 minutes depending on the service. Armona has a long sandy beach, a small village of low houses and several beach cafes. A suggested day starts with the market and coffee, continues with a morning ferry to Armona for a beach walk and seafood lunch, and returns to Olhao in the late afternoon for a stroll through the old town before the train back. Grilled fish, clams and cuttlefish are typical lunch choices in the restaurants near the waterfront. The last ferry back should always be confirmed at the terminal. The best period for the islands is late May to September, while spring and autumn suit town walking. Visitor information is available through visitalgarve.pt. The route is mostly flat, with sand on the islands.