Sightseeing yoga retreat in Olhão, Portugal
Colorful boat on the Olhão marina taken from the ferry returning from Armona
Olhão, Portugal, is the perfect place for a yoga retreat. In the Algarve coast, not far from the larger and more sophisticated town of Faro, this fishing town offers a slower pace, stunning island beaches, and some of the best market-to-table meals you’ll find anywhere. See how to spend two days here as an add on to your next Portugal trip.
Places to stay
I experienced Olhão through a yoga retreat with Crystal McCreary run by Curated Yoga Retreats and stayed at the Casa Fuzetta villa. The place was spectacular in the way that it married modern amenities and castle-like elegance (see photos below) but you have to reserve the whole home by the week, so an option primarily if you have a large group and extra time. Casa Rosa and Guestmar are similar places within blocks of Casa Fuzetta that can be booked for retreats or by the individual room.
Casa Amor is a cute, modern, small hotel with an amazing coffee and gift shop for unique souvenirs. If you don’t stay here, at least grab a cappuccino or glass of wine here.
For a larger hotel, try Pure Famosa in a great location with a lovely rooftop pool and bar featuring great views. And for a more resort-like experience, the Real Marina on the waterfront is a large hotel/condo property with a spa, indoor and outdoor pools, and a great lobby level restaurant, Marina com Noélia.
Where to eat
Recommended by a Lisbon local who comes there when her family visits, we tried the restaurant Tierra y Mar and it offered us a delightful lunch on the waterfront. The seafood pate, fried anchovies, and sea bass, grilled and then filleted table side with potatoes and refreshing salad were all healthy and paired well with very reasonably priced vino verde.
The Casa Amor Coffee Shop is wonderful for coffee, wine, and shopping.
Another great option for lunch are the executive lunches crafted by Chef Noélia at Marina com Noélia in the Real Marina hotel.
La Bicyclette is perfect for people watching from the patio seating in the town square. Travel companions also had great meals at both Cha Cha Cha and Real Petisqueira, both popular and often full places to grab a bite to eat.
Restaurant Carlos Bar was a perfect pitstop when we visited the beach town Armona across from Olhão, and, if it had been open, the Lanacosta at the other end of the walk near the beach was attractive with beach-facing outdoor seating.
Things to do
Walk around and see all the cool doors from classic to modern.
…and then take in all the tiles, with enormous variety in color, shape, and texture.
Take a water taxi or ferry to Armona, an island twenty minutes away with clear water, a boardwalk leading to wide sandy beaches, and several waterfront restaurants and bars.
Visit the Saturday Market for fresh fish, fruit, or flowers. Great place to visit to stock up for the week if you are staying at a place where you’ll do your own cooking and a wide variety of very fresh fish and seafood is available.
