OLHÃO! A detailed guide to living in Olhão, Algarve, PORTUGAL

[@nunosantos2793]

I was born and raised in Olhão, so i felt every single word you said about it. Ohh.. and your pronunciation was spot on too! We appreciate people who are not Portuguese making an effort! Keep up the great work!! x

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Obrigado Nuno, although I cringed when I mis-pronounced cheirinho and it was too late to fix 😂

[@55charcar]

Hey Nick, good description. We were in Olhao October 2021, but not long enough. Got the vibe it was shall we say, authentic. Nothing pretentious about it, which in itself is charming. We had the BEST grilled fish for lunch. My mouth still waters just thinking about it.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Glad you enjoyed it 👍🏼

[@MARIADaSilva-dw9cs]

Your Portuguese is spot on. Well done!!!

[@stevematthias6261]

Thanks for this we have been going to Olhao for several years and have seen all the improvements taking place. A lot of the derelict homes have been bought and refurbished and right by the harbour there are now luxury apartments costing from 500,000 euros upwards. However it still remains an authentic town and most things stay open 12 months of the year so it is quite lively all year round though some restaurants close for holidays in the depths of the winter. Every time we return a new restaurant has opened. How such a small city can have so many good-excellent restaurants is amazing. Great to know there is such high demand for homes there. Is that a South African accent I detect? A very well made and informative video. Thx

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Thanks for watching Steve, yes I'm originally from Cape Town 👍🏼

[@lucchese20]

I always appreciate your work Nick--it clearly shows. Muito obridgado. Great overview on trains, buses, and the link you shared! Very helpful. I plan on checking out Olhõa soon--Covid willing. 🙏🏻👍🏻

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Thanks Lucchese, much appreciated 👍🏼

[@debbieb9815]

I’m glad you visited Olhão. My husband and I are on a 7 week road trip through Portugal Mainland and Azores. We were in Olhão just a couple days ago. We really liked it. As a matter of fact it is on our top 6 best towns we’ve visited, along with Obidos, Aveiro, Braga, and little Alvor and Tavira. Porto is way too big for us. We tend to like smaller towns.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Great stuff Debbie, the only snag is the smell sometimes down near the Ria Formosa

[@andreiabastos3760]

In Olhão, at the "river side" you can find in one street the biggest offer in the Algarve of real Portuguese food. It's not food for tourists, it's real Portuguese meals mostly based on fish, shellfish and vegetables. In Olhao there is a considerable community of Belgian and French people.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Thanks for sharing Andreia👍🏼

[@kathykaz3027]

Enjoyed this video as usual. Would love to see an additional category -- recreation -- which would include access to/quality of water for swimming or paddling (waves, currents, parking, rental facilities, beach facilities) and also inland gyms, etc. Or maybe a separate video to address the best places to live in the algarve for those who want to be in the water or on the water.Thanks Nick!

[@AlgarveAddicts]

That night just make a town video really long... I'll think about it. Thanks for the suggestion 👍🏼

[@michaelthatcher3825]

Really great and accurate portrayal of a real Portuguese town in the Algarve. Olhao has the best fish market around. I just hope they have fixed their sewage system as the town used to really stink from time to time.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Hi Michael, thanks for that. They haven't! It still stinks. I went back there this week and noticed a rank smell and even saw some interesting bits floating in the Ria... I didn't experience that on the day I was shooting my video.

[@michaelthatcher3825]

@@AlgarveAddicts That's sad to hear, the problem is the raw sewage outlet right near the ferry port to the islands. There was talk that this had been fixed but alas. In addition, a beach nearby was recently shut down for the same reason I think.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Yup really sad. Hopefully a new mayor in September will fix this. Who knows?

[@55charcar]

Ok guys, this is starting to sound gross but actually it reminds me of the town I grew up in the USA. It was a lumber mill town with a very distinct odor we called little stinky, which came from the pulp mills. It also had a marina and waterfront which now is being gentrified with cafes and fancy hotels. But the soul of the town is still slightly gritty. I'd probably feel right at home in Olhao.

[@eva6009]

Fantastic video with great drone footage and all the info one could possibly need. Loved that fish bench! Life is definitively better in flip flops and how about painting the garage white for a fresher feeling.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Thanks Eva, that's a great suggestion. White wooden background could look really good.

[@BresVideo]

Another great video, Nick! I was one of those who fell prey to the myth that Eiffel had designed the mercados. Won’t make that mistake again! Thanks!

[@AlgarveAddicts]

No worries, I'm sure it's not a big problem. Enjoy Olhão.

[@glenmcconnell3400]

I get great information from ya it's great thanks 👍👍

[@AlgarveAddicts]

You're welcome Glen 👍🏼

[@pamfaulkner7026]

Thank you very useful information. Holiday in Olhao next week looks a very charming place. Cannot wait to enjoy the scenery. Your interior design looks fine btw.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Cheers, I was there in Olhão this morning and it was looking lovely!

[@philipokennedy1148]

Thanks for the great over view of Olhāo. We went there almost 2 years ago and stayed in a great AirBnB, Olhāo House in Rua D’Santana which was very well located close to the market. I’m afraid, like you previously, we were less than impressed so good to hear that the city has improved. Keep up the good work. 😀

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Thanks Phillip, I'm going back on Monday morning for coffee just to make doubly sure😊

[@warrenshalm550]

Your videos are great Nick and come across as authentic. Refreshing change from oeople reading Wikipedia ... lol

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Thanks Warren! That's a solid compliment.

[@vodcome]

Lol… Crusty and Dirty…. … Loved the video Nick. Will be yet another place I go in October 😁👍

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Enjoy the scouting trip and I hope expectations meet reality.

[@xmaniac99]

One reason I like Olhao is that is it very close to the airport. If I have a morning flight I can be at P3 Parking in 10 minutes and in 13 minutes I am in the terminal.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Sounds perfect, if you're a pilot. ✈️✈️

[@bratboybobbee6938]

Thanks for this latest video. Interesting to hear your take on Olhao, and how it’s not as ‘scruffy’ as it one was. Most interesting take is how agents are crying for properties to market.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Yes, it is odd, although I see so many properties on all the websites... (?)

[@dri2726]

I really liked the video. The first time I heard the name of this city was on Ana Moura's song "Andorinhas", filmed in Olhão..

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Oh wow, that sounds lovely. 👍🏼

[@valsummerfield3069]

I like your videos. I'm pretty much obsessed with watching videos on Portugal. We live in Massachusetts. We recently got back from there.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Thanks Val. Who else do you watch?

[@valsummerfield3069]

@@AlgarveAddicts Algarve Lifestyle, Expats Everywhere, Frugal Travellers and a couple of other ones. What I like about yours is that show go into a few categories of each town you visit. Also the map view is good to show where places are and in relation to one another.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

🙏🏼

[@hillarylopes7557]

Awesome video as usual.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Thanks Hilary! 😎👍🏼

[@TravelonlineWalk]

This seems to be a very amazing place ❤

[@AlgarveAddicts]

It really is pretty wonderful 😎

[@paulabravo9577]

Really enjoy your show very informative we are planning in moving to Portugal in the near future snd would like your input on electric vehicles to gas we are importing a vehicle as a expat Portuguese it’s affordable to do that - look forward to your views

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Hi Paula, thanks for watching 👍🏼 You can find a video I made all about driving in Portugal. I'd love to hear about your experiences.

[@travelinaway2707]

Hi, I've just been watching many of your videos about the Algarve. My husband and I have visited Portugal several times for about 6-8 weeks at a time. Last time we went we stayed in Albuferia, we didnt enjoy it that much. We LOVE Faro but the accomodations are ridiculously expensive. Weve been looking at Olhao and it looks nice. We dont go to the discos but are there many places to go in the evenings and have a few drinks? Our usual day is either take a train and visit one of the many beautiful towns along the Algarve or go for coffee and groceries in the morning, maybe have a little walk around, go home, nap and then decide if we want to cook or eat out. If we go out in the evening we enjoy sitting in a bar for a few drinks. Would Olhao be an ideal spot for us? Most of the videos I've seen, it seems kind of deserted. Thanks.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Yes there are a few bars in Olhão as it's the 3rd largest city in the Algarve (it's still not that big though). It doesn't have anything like the nightlife that Albufeira does though.

[@travelinaway2707]

That's a good thing. The atmosphere in Albuferia is way too wild for us. Thanks for the reply and thank you so much for making these wonderfully informative and entertaining videos!!

[@AlgarveAddicts]

You're welcome!

[@antoniomoraes1597]

Boa tarde Portugal , canal nota 10.

[@kathyw9439]

Great overview and glad to hear the positive endorsement! On the hit list for scout trip - strikes me as an “up and coming” city, like Setubal outside of Lisbon. Gentrification on the horizon?

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Gentrification already in progress. You should have seen it a few years ago...

[@JR-mi8ry]

Thank you 💘

[@AlgarveAddicts]

You're welcome JR 👍🏼

[@rkramm76]

On the surrounding islands, which bars and restaurants do you recommend? Farol bar you mentioned? Thx

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Hey Lee, head out to Farol Island and there are two good places there Restaurant À do João and a super cool little bar called Maramais.

[@cidaliafarinha6432]

Olhão the Best place to eat fish! My town!

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Obrigado por ter visto o meu video 👍🏼

[@JasonJFlippingLife]

Definitely a good spot for real estate investing.

[@mblhermans1503]

Every body talks about the supermercados, where do I find local shops?

[@AlgarveAddicts]

They're in the local streets, all over the place. 👍🏼

[@emilyrobinson6219]

Could you please provide some options for where to park overnight in Olhao?

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Hi Emily, try the park4night app. I don't normally use camper vans so I wouldn't know. Sorry.

[@splynk1]

Hey Nick, recent subscriber here and thumbs are way up,,,, did you do a similar video on VRSA ?

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Hey Lars, thanks! No I haven't done one on VRSA, it's in the pipeline though.

[@maxflight777]

VRSA ? Check out Veronica’s content ! (An American in Portugal)

[@splynk1]

@@maxflight777 I have seen it, but would like a different view, with more neutral eyes :-)

[@chicagomike]

This is very beautifully done. Olhao is like Sete in france. Not for tourists. Slightly dirty. Crusty. But original.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Thanks for watching Mike 👍🏼

[@chicagomike]

@@AlgarveAddicts you re welcome, I love Portugal and have a fantasy that I can reside there for a year. I don’t want to permanently move,

[@chicagomike]

@@AlgarveAddicts wow. Few apartments to get in olhao. They are expensive too my friend. According to idealista. Tavira is much cheaper for example.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Hey Mike, maybe Tavira is for you then. Go for it.

[@chicagomike]

@@AlgarveAddicts lol. It's a dream but sadly it's not happening Thanks though

[@ogator8642]

Estou surpreendido com o crescimento de lugares no Algarve. Olhao parece grande. É maior do que Quarteira?

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Sim, e maior de Quarteira.

[@PeeGeeThirteen]

Hi Nick! I finally made it to Eastern Algarve for the week. Already spent a few days in Monte Gordo and now am in Vila Real de Santo António. Is it me or are the flies ceazy over here? Persistent flies outdoors

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Yup, it's always fly time in September. Crazy, and I forget about it every year until September.

[@PeeGeeThirteen]

@@AlgarveAddicts oh so it's only a September thing? I was afraid that it would be all year round. I'm off to Tavira for two nights! Good night!

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Nope definitely not all year round. Enjoy Tavira!

[@joecasey3444]

You mentioned Aldi but wasn't sure about prices there. We have Aldi here in the U.S. and prices are the cheapest anywhere here.

[@chicagomike]

My friend is this a new version of Google earth you use? Seems nicer than mine! LOL.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

No I don't think so? It's the standard version.

[@chicagomike]

@@AlgarveAddicts okay thanks

[@AlgarveAddicts]

I'm curious, what are the differences? Mine is the PC version.

[@chicagomike]

@@AlgarveAddicts actually I think there are none. Writing to say that it’s the Setting button! That gives me the same view as you. I am on a ipad. Mostly. Thanks my friend.

[@TheGraciousPantry]

What was that small coffee you called that you had when you first got into town? I don't think the captions did the name justice. Can you also describe it? I'm obsessed with coffee and want to be sure I know how to order what I want when I get there. Thanks!

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Hi there, it may have been a "bica cheia". Which is essentially a single espresso filled to the top of the cup.

[@TheGraciousPantry]

@@AlgarveAddicts That was it! Thanks! :D

[@sharilove6222]

What is your favorite city/town to live in? Or if you cannot pick just one....top 3? As someone who is just so knowledgeable about the Algarve, and you seem to just really love the whole Algarve region.... I am curious what your personal all time favorites are...

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Lagos, Loulé, Carvoeiro?

[@lt5550]

How is the Night life in olhao 🤔 which beaches would you recommend while staying in this area? I'm looking for a nice balance between some peace, but also looking to do a little socializing ✨

[@lollofunky]

Ah ah even in my Italian seaside town fisherman have their Coffee with Spirits, it is called Moretta ! OH and I would love to live there ! Get me a job please :) :)

[@maxflight777]

Excited!

[@AlgarveAddicts]

About...?

[@maxflight777]

@@AlgarveAddicts your content !! Especially when it’s central Algarve ! 👍

[@thelmamccullough1128]

Are there shuttle buses from Faro airport to Olhao?

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Not directly, you'll take a bus into Faro bus station first and then onto Olhão.

[@maxflight777]

New drone ? 👍

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Nope, same old DJI Mini 2. I'd like one that could track me while I surf (and land when it's outa battery) though!

[@QueenBee-mk8xm]

The thing is that LED lights do last longer etc etc. but the light they emit is not warm and just looks kind of dull.

[@junerobertson4389]

It looks really beautiful and peaceful. However, I have not found any furnished, long-term apartments for $500.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

That's a tough ask around the Algarve...

[@e-nomad]

There is also a campsite where you can live for less than 200€.

[@3dlinxvisual53]

Great video! I was wondering, where does wealthy people live in the Algarve? Is there any areas with big houses?

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Hi there, yes mostly down in Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo. There are other wealthy mansions tucked away on the hills of Loulé and near Lagos.

[@MARIADaSilva-dw9cs]

Quinta do Lago and Vale Do Lobo is very wealthy and elitist. Met alot of snooty people when I worked there one Summer. There are mansions tucked away. My brother has one with acres and acres of various fruit trees and his own aerodrome for his planes. It's tucked away. Very secluded off of Loule area.

[@QueenBee-mk8xm]

There seem to be quite a lot of new developments being built in Quelfes, Olhao for a reasonablish price. What do you think of that particular area?

[@AlgarveAddicts]

It seems ok, I actually know someone who is developing a block of flats there. To be honest, I haven't fully checked it out, so I'll stick it on my list.

[@QueenBee-mk8xm]

@@AlgarveAddicts Thank you. I´ve been searching on Idealista, and basically, if you search for new properties only, in the Faro province, then the least expensive ones are mainly in Olhao, and I think mainly in Quelfes and Baixa. I don´t think they have seaviews though. Another area where there are some is in the Lagoa area. I am interested in Quarteira, but there don´t seem to be many new developments and none with seaview, though perhaps you can find one if you spend over 600,000. My main concern is poor construction and lack of adequate insulation and heating etc for winter and the issues that come with that, which is why I am looking at new properties, but then you are limited as to location...

[@hankryan8164]

One more thing. YOU suggested Olhao as an affordable location to us back in December. Thank you!

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Did you think it turned out that way, Hank?

[@hankryan8164]

@@AlgarveAddicts Nick, we are happy. We got a good price with anxious sellers and we are 42 steps out our door to the salt pans and pink (I claim)flamingos and the best early morning walk to Continente possible. We rented our place out this summer but we are almost ready to sell our place in Sweden and just move completely. So yes, we look forward to our affordable golden years in Ohlao! Is the gastronomic center open? Esplanade improvements completed? They were close when we left.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

No the esplanade is not completed yet (if you mean the gardens near the ferries). I'm not sure what the gastronomic center is?

[@hankryan8164]

@@AlgarveAddicts That is, we were told, what the new building just west of the marina is going to be.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Oh ok, I have a friend who works in the marina development, so she should know all the details.

[@AG-gz4hr]

Hi enjoy your videos hope you can help Have you ever made a video on importing a car after residency Plus registering with a doctor in Portugal Why when shopping at supermarket etc do they ask for your nif number ? Hope you can help keep up the good work and videos

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Hi there, yes I have made a video about cars and driving in Portugal.

[@johngibson3952]

Thanks

[@AlgarveAddicts]

You're welcome John, thanks for watching 👍🏼

[@sandrasingh4963]

Thanks for this interesting video. I am looking for an estate agent for rental. I am South African.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Hi Sandra, it's tough to find these days, but the best time to look is coming up (just after summer).

[@fernandogoncalvessimao3850]

My family is from algarve portimao olhao is a very nice village like arabian style toplus amizades mundiais toplus idioms rio brazil

[@AlgarveAddicts]

E verdade, gosto Olhão!

[@arttyree4504]

I would ike to know the availability and rental rates of small apartments in Algarve. Any informacao?

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Hi Art, they're tough to find. Have a look at my blog post and video www.algarveaddicts.com/rentals

[@alanmartins6349]

I'm looking for a cheaper place to stay, Hotel, Rental that is near all the Algarve cities but maybe in the outskirts still close to all the big cities in the Algarve is Olhao one of them? can you recommend others. Thanks you!!!

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Hi Alan, yes Olhão is one of them but the towns in the Algarve are all pretty spread out. Loulé, Faro, Olhão is the biggest concentration of people in three towns, with Portimão being the largest urban area. Maybe also have a look at Quarteira.

[@alanmartins6349]

@@AlgarveAddicts Awesome, Thank you!!!

[@BasicBeachCommunity1]

Maybe Portugal is good place to visit?? 🌴

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Maybe... 😏

[@ottomatthew2594]

HOLA TODOS!

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Olá Otto!

[@RobertVanburen-k2u]

Brandyn Roads

[@ottomatthew2594]

OI! HERMOSAS!!!

[@stevebbuk]

I don't really detect the soul of Olhāo, its beating heart if you will. It might have helped had you walked down Avenida da República instead of showing an aerial view.

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Steve, if you look closely I did actually walk down the Avenida República. 🙄

[@stevebbuk]

@@AlgarveAddicts Yes my apologies. It's a functional town I suppose, which you take warts and all.

[@sandrasingh4963]

Sorry agent in Portugal Algarve

[@musashimiyamoto586]

This comment might spoil the purpose of this video, but in my view it is important to be heard: I live in Olhao in the Algarve/Portugal, came here 17 years ago. By then it was only the West which was overrun by expats, golf courses and other nonsense, making towns like Lagos, Portimao and Albufeira into mere pittoresque husks for foreigners and tourists. It took a while, but then unfortunately Olhao was discovered as the last unspoiled town down South. And the local government, backwards as it is, decided to throw out all stops and redirect its efforts completely towards tourism. Sustainable? Not so much. The municipality completely altered the image of the seafront allowing luxury apartment complexes to be build, blocking out sun and views for many residents while letting the surrounding infrastructure catering to the locals fall to pieces. And this is still an ongoing process. Other than that they converted every scrap of space in this city into parking lots, making traffic during the season an absolute nightmare for residents, pedestrians and cyclists. Did I mention there were no allowances made for these specific groups, apart from a few more pedestrian crossings? Part of me understands that tourism is the main breadwinner down here, but you just cannot throw all caution to the wind hoping for the best, your bad town planning doesn't backfire one day (which it already does) and banking on this one source of income. What's more, now that the Real Estate and construction boom is in full flow, with prices ever going up, more and more Algarvians sell up and leave Olhao. Meaning a main part of what makes the Algarve what it is is being replaced by retirees, property developers and other investors. And this is a foreigner speaking who knows what desastrous effect this type of new migration has. I fear in a few years time there will not be much left of Olhao to recognise and just maybe the foreign community gets bored of a town without any local flavor and the locust moves on. What then? Economic collapse, local businesses shutting down together with a large quantity of empty houses? Nobody seems to care as longs as there is money to be made and the tourists can have their fun. Which, by the way, in my mind is largely the dumbest and most annoying of all subspecies. Woe for the human race!

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Wow, it sounds like you need to try and focus on more positive things. Exactly the same result you're describing happened to rural Portugal when everyone left for "a better life" in Lisbon and Porto. It may well happen here but tourism is the chosen industry. There are many positives as well as negatives if you look for them. Life is a cycle.

[@musashimiyamoto586]

@@AlgarveAddicts Yes, lets promote the Algarve even more, hype up the boom and give the local government free roam of the area's future. Has worked in the West, has it? I know that you are someone who appreciates the culture and the people down here, but closing your eyes to obvious warning signs and thinking "positive" won't help once Olhao looks like Lagos and/or the inevitable collapse is coming. Life is a cycle, eh? I guess that is also true for locust descending on a place, ravaging it completely and then moving on to the next place. Yes, I know my "negative views" (which I would call realistic) are extreme, but in a way so are your "positive" ones.

[@pierreandersson3875]

You speak very fast and sometimes a bit indistinctly. For a person like me who don't have English as my first language, it can be a struggle to keep up and try to hear what you are saying. Just wanted you to know that....

[@AlgarveAddicts]

Thanks Pierre, sorry about that, I've been trying my whole life to slow down 😎👍🏼