Olhos D Água Algarve My Home From Home for 20 Years

Olhos D Água Algarve My Home From Home for 20 Years

There are places you visit… and then there are places that become part of you.

For me, that place is Olhosd‘Águaa a charming character-filled fishing village on the Algarve coast that I have been returning to for the past 20 years. What started as a simple holiday has grown into a true home from home, a destination woven into my life and memories.

A Village With Soul

Olhos D Água may be small, but it is big on charm. Nestled between Albufeira and Vilamoura, it blends traditional Portuguese character with a relaxed holiday vibe. Whitewashed cafe, cobbled street and colourful fishing boats set the scene, and the locals, always warm and welcoming, make you feel instantly at ease.

Why It Means So Much to Me

I think one of the reasons Olhos D Água feels so special to me is because my dad had an apartment there. Some of my earliest visits were spent in that home filled with sunlight and sea air, creating memories that have stayed with me for two decades. Every time I return, it feels like stepping back into a place that has always been part of my story.

Beaches That Steal Your Heart

Praia da Falesia, one of the world's Best

Just a short stroll or drive from Olhd'Águagua sits one of the Algarve’s true treasures, Praia da Falesia. Consistently voted one of the best beaches in the world, it has ranked in the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards Top 10 Beaches Globally, and once you have seen it, it is easy to understand why.

Jaw-dropping stretch of 6 km of silky sand framed by dramatic cliffs of red gold and white Praia da Falesia is nothing short of breathtaking. The colours change throughout the day as the sun moves across the sky, creating a natural masterpiece you never get tired of admiring.

It is the perfect beach for long soul cleansing walks, morning run,s peaceful swim, or simply lying back and letting the warm Algarve sun sink in. Whether you are on the cliff tops enjoying the panoramic views or down on the sand with your toes in the Atlantic, it is a place that leaves a lasting impression.

Praia de Olhos D Água

Closer to the village centre, Olhos D Água’s own beach offers soft sand, calm waters and a traditional charm that keeps people returning year after year. It is perfect for families, paddlers, sunbathers and anyone who loves a more intimate sheltered bay.

A Food Lover's Favourite

The food scene in Olhosd'Águaa is another reason I keep returning. From beachside restaurants serving freshly grilled sardines to little gems hidden down quiet streets, every meal feels like a celebration of Portuguese flavours. Add a chilled glass of Vinho Verde and the sound of the ocean, and it is perfection.

Where Tradition Meets Comfort

Over the years, I have watched Olhos D Água grow and modernise while still holding on to its authentic charm. It is lively enough to be interesting yet peaceful enough to truly unwind, a balance that is becoming harder to find in many holiday destinations.

Twenty Years of Memories

Two decades of visiting the same place turns it into more than a destination; it becomes part of your story. Olhos D Água is where I relax, recharge, celebrate and reconnect. It is where time slows down and life feels beautifully simple.

Why It Will Always Be My Home From Home

I have travelled the world, stayed in the finest hotels, and explored countless coastlines, but something about Olhos d'Água keeps pulling me back. The beauty, the people, the memories, they all blend perfectly.

And of course, having one of the world's best beaches, the stunning Praia da Fales, is right on the ddoorstepcertainly helps.

After visiting for twenty years and knowing it inside, out, there is nothing I do not know about this little gem of a place.

If you would like tips, recommendations, or help planning your own visit, just contact me will be delighted to share my favourites with you.