Writer's retreat for peace and inspiration in lively Olhão

There are places in the world that you fall in love with instantly. That’s what happened to me in Olhão, the cubist village by the sea, with its Arabic-style rooftops, where the fishermen’s wives would scan the horizon from the watchtowers to see if their husbands were coming home with their catch.

You sleep and work comfortably cool downstairs beneath the high, cathedral-like ceiling. On the first floor, you can make coffee and have breakfast on the outdoor balcony, and for the rest of the day, you can sunbathe, relax, or enjoy a glass of wine on the panoramic rooftop terrace and gaze at the stars until late into the evening.

This traditional, small fisherman’s house has been carefully renovated and is located in the historic, car-free Baixa district, in the heart of downtown Olhão.
A unique property with several terraces and a rooftop terrace offering a 360° panoramic view of the sea and the cube-shaped roofs of Olhão. Here you can hear the birds singing and the bells of the little church ringing.

This neighborhood consists of cobblestone, Arab-style streets where no cars drive and everything is within walking distance. The market, ATMs, restaurants, bakery (Delicia), and supermarket (Pingo Doce) are all very close by.

If you have a car, you can park for free anywhere around Olhão.
To get to the beach, take a boat to the islands of Armona, Culatra, and Farol. These boats depart a few times a day and are a 3-minute walk from the house.
If you walk 10 minutes to the right, past the hotel, you’ll find yourself on the salt flats. At low tide, you can see the mussel fishermen and the piles of white salt left to dry. Parque Natural da Ria Formosa is a 30-minute walk away. Olhão is a bit rough around the edges, but still very authentic. The locals are friendly, the food is cheap, and there are countless restaurants.

Olhão is a 15-minute drive from Faro Airport (order a Bolt in just a few minutes).