Translating as “Eyes of Water”, Olhos de Agua is a former fishing village near Albufeira that is now a popular seaside resort. It offers easy access to the cliff-backed beaches of the Algarve and its family-friendly attractions and boasts plenty of waterfront restaurants serving authentic Portuguese fare.
Things to do in Olhos de Água
Spend your days on the picturesque Praia dos Olhos de Agua, which is surrounded by ochre cliffs and named after the freshwater springs at the eastern end of the beach. There are beach umbrellas and sun loungers for rent, as well as restaurants overlooking the sand where you can dine on Portuguese cuisine.
Stretching east of Praia dos Olhos de Agua is Praia do Barranco das Belharucas, a spectacular Blue Flag beach where you can swim, jet ski or go pedal boating. A series of deeply eroded limestone cliffs back the beach, while the surrounding coastal scrub provides habitat for European bee-eaters, the colourful birds after which the beach is named. A hiking trail hugs the cliffs and offers sweeping views across the Atlantic Ocean.
For a day away from the sand, head to Parque Aventura, a treetop adventure course in Albufeira. Ziplines and obstacles connect its network of tree platforms, with friendly instructors encouraging you every step of the way. If you prefer to stay at ground level, hit the park’s paintball field, which is designed to take advantage of the site’s natural obstacles.
Getting around Olhos de Água
Olhos de Agua is a 10-minute drive from Albufeira and 35 minutes from Faro Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Buses travel to Olhos de Agua, while renting a car gives you greater freedom to explore the region. The beachfront area of Praia dos Olhos de Agua can easily be explored on foot.