Tugatok

Where to explore first? Perhaps the Ria Formosa Natural Park (10 minutes’ drive), with its wetland landscapes, lagoons filled with white storks and egrets, and long stretches of sandy beach? You can catch the ferry from Olhão marina (also 10 minutes) to the barrier island of Armona to swim in pristine water off Praia da Armona (15 minutes’ walk from the ferry) and enjoy leisurely lunches in the scattering of beach bars and seafood cafés. It’s also well worth spending the day in whitewashed Olhão (10 minutes’ drive) itself, with its ancient centre liberally decorated with traditional blue-and-white azulejo tiles, and ornate wrought-iron balconies sprouting bright bursts of bougainvillaea. Plunder the red-brick covered market for picnic goodies to eat on the beach, or head for the tapas bars along the lively waterfront for seafood sharing snacks. For more local produce, head for the olive groves at Monterosa (15 minutes) to sample artisan olive oils, or take a water taxi to Culatra (half an hour by boat) and learn about oyster harvesting.