🇵🇹 Olhao, Portugal
Quinta dos Cochichos
📍 Sitio Ana Velha, Quelfes, 8700-270 Olhao, Faro, Olhao
Photo: official website
Your stay — Quinta dos Cochichos
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The Property — Quinta dos Cochichos
Quinta dos Cochichos is a converted 19th-century townhouse in Olhão’s old quarter, with whitewashed walls, blue shutters and a small courtyard pool. The lobby feels like a private home – tiled floors, a wooden reception desk, and the faint smell of oranges from the nearby market. It suits travellers who want authentic, unfussy accommodation close to the Ria Formosa, not a resort.
Chronicles of Olhao
Olhão emerged in the 17th century as a fishing settlement on the Ria Formosa lagoon, and grew wealthy from tuna and sardine catches. After the 1755 earthquake, its Moorish-influenced cubist architecture – flat-roofed houses with rooftop terraces – became the norm. The town’s ferry-based transport system links the barrier islands, and its market, built in 1914, remains the social and commercial hub.
Best Time to Visit
Full Olhao guide →Best months
May, June and September offer 25–30°C highs, low humidity and thinner crowds than peak July–August.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are hottest (30–35°C) and busiest, with the Festa de Nossa Senhora da Piedade in early August. Hotel rates double; book by April.
Budget shoulder season
October and April have 20–25°C days, 30–50% lower rates, and quiet ferries. The sea is still warm in October.
Weather & packing
Summer mornings can be cloudless, but by 3pm a westerly sea breeze often picks up. Pack a light windbreaker for ferry trips even in July.
Live City Briefing — Olhao
- Olhão’s municipal market reopens in June 2026 after a 15-month facade renovation; interior fish stalls are unchanged.
- The new Olhão–Faro bike path along the lagoon edge opened spring 2026 – 8 km, mostly flat, no dedicated cycle lane required.
- Summer 2026 water restrictions may limit pool filling: check with the hotel if their pool uses mains water or well supply.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Quinta dos Cochichos, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor (European first floor, above ground level) facing the rear garden or pool area. These rooms are furthest from the street and have the most calm.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any ground-floor rooms facing the access road (Sitio Ana Velha) — there is occasional traffic noise from local farm vehicles and delivery vans, especially early morning.
Best views
The address is a rural setting (Sitio Ana Velha, Quelfes) — look for rooms with a view over the orange groves or the Ria Formosa lagoon in the distance. The rear orientation gives the best natural vista.
Quietest floors
First floor and above, especially rooms overlooking the garden or pool. The hotel has no lift, so upper floors (first floor) also avoid any ground-level foot traffic noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Sitio Ana Velha is a quiet country lane but carries occasional tractors and delivery trucks from the nearby agricultural fields. No significant nightlife noise — the hotel is in Quelfes, a rural parish of Olhão.
Insider tips
1) Park on the gravel area near the entrance — the turning circle is tight for larger cars. 2) Request a room on the first floor early, as there is no lift and those rooms are more private. 3) The hotel has a small pool; ask for a pool-facing room if you want to use it without crossing the main building.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Quinta dos Cochichos
Free Wi-Fi throughout, average 25 Mbps down/10 Mbps up; single-device login per room (no password needed, just accept terms).
No passenger lift. All rooms on first floor accessed by staircase; no ground-floor units.
No physical newspapers or digital newsstands. Common area has a shelf of old guidebooks and local magazines.
Check-in 14:00–19:30; late arrivals after 20:00 by prior arrangement only. Early bag drop allowed from 11:00 if room not ready. Late checkout (€25) until 14:00, subject to availability.
Free, in a locked storeroom near reception; no staff after 20:00 so arrange in advance.
No step-free access; six steps at main entrance, then stairs to all rooms. Not wheelchair-friendly.
Free on-site unmarked gravel parking for about 10 cars on a first-come basis. Nearest public car park is Largo do Carmo (€8/day, 1.5 km away). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Olhao does not levy a municipal tourist tax as of 2026)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment via credit card required at booking; a €50 card hold for incidentals taken at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Igreja de Quelfes (964 m · ~12 min walk)
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use bank ATMs in Olhão for fair rates; avoid the currency exchange booths at Faro Airport or at tourist bureaux — they charge poor rates and high fees.
Visa and Mastercard accepted in most supermarkets, restaurants, and hotels; contactless is standard. Small market stalls and some cafés in less central spots may be cash-only, so keep €20–€50 on you.
Restaurants: 5–10% if service is good (not expected but appreciated). Taxis: round up to nearest euro. Hotel staff: €1–€2 per bag for porters; leave a few euros per night for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A bica (espresso) at a local pastelaria — about €0.80–€1.00.
A prego (steak sandwich) or prato do dia (daily plate) at a tasca — around €7–€9 including a drink.
Grilled fish with potatoes and salad at a local restaurant — main course roughly €10–€12.
The covered market (Mercado Municipal) in Olhão has cheap, fresh seafood snacks and pastries from small stalls.
Pingo Doce and Lidl are common and budget-friendly.
The weekly street market (Feira de Olhão) on Tuesdays has affordable clothing and household goods.
Local buses within Olhão are €1.50 per ride; the best budget option from Faro Airport is the Aerobus to Faro city centre (€2.50 one-way), then the regional train or bus to Olhão (€2–€3).
Eat lunch as your main meal when restaurants offer cheaper prato do dia deals. Buy fresh produce and seafood at the municipal market instead of tourist restaurants. Use the local train or bus rather than taxis for trips along the coast.
Good to know — Olhao
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
OlhaoFor all emergencies in Portugal, dial 112. The local police station in Olhão is at Rua Dr. Francisco Sá Carneiro (contact +351 289 700 220). For non-urgent health advice, call the national health line: 808 24 24 24.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Olhao, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Quinta dos Cochichos
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Lisbon Oriente / Tunes station (if coming from north) → Olhão railway station
💡 If arriving from Lisbon, change at Tunes for the regional to Olhão (low-cost, no reservation). From Olhão station, Quinta da Cabrita is 8 mins by taxi (€8-10). Buy tickets via CP app to skip queues.
Faro Airport (FAO) bus stop → Olhão bus station (terminal rodoviário)
💡 Buy the ticket at the driver with cash (coins only). From Olhão terminal, it’s a 7-min walk or €6 taxi to Quinta da Cabrita. The bus runs via Faro town—can get busy with commuters.
Faro Airport (FAO) → Quinta da Cabrita, Olhão
💡 Pre-book with a local firm like Olhão Transfers to fix the price; meter runs can hit €45 out of peak. Drivers know the Quinta’s dirt track entrance—ask to be dropped at the main gate, not the road.
Quinta da Cabrita, Olhão → Olhão town centre / waterfront (Rua da Ribeira)
💡 No Uber in Olhão. Use local radio taxi +351 289 700 270—they speak basic English. For repeated trips, negotiate a flat rate with the driver for the week. Cash only.
About Olhao
Wikipedia ↗
Olhão, officially the City of Olhão da Restauração, is a city and municipality in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. The population of the municipality in 2011 was 45,396, in an area of 130.86 km2 (50.53 sq mi). Located near the regional capital Faro and forming a single urban agglomeration, i...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Quinta dos Cochichos?
Request a room on the first floor (European first floor, above ground level) facing the rear garden or pool area. These rooms are furthest from the street and have the most calm.
Which rooms should I avoid at Quinta dos Cochichos?
Avoid any ground-floor rooms facing the access road (Sitio Ana Velha) — there is occasional traffic noise from local farm vehicles and delivery vans, especially early morning.
Is Quinta dos Cochichos noisy?
Sitio Ana Velha is a quiet country lane but carries occasional tractors and delivery trucks from the nearby agricultural fields. No significant nightlife noise — the hotel is in Quelfes, a rural parish of Olhão.
Which rooms have the best views at Quinta dos Cochichos?
The address is a rural setting (Sitio Ana Velha, Quelfes) — look for rooms with a view over the orange groves or the Ria Formosa lagoon in the distance. The rear orientation gives the best natural vista.
What are insider tips for staying at Quinta dos Cochichos?
1) Park on the gravel area near the entrance — the turning circle is tight for larger cars. 2) Request a room on the first floor early, as there is no lift and those rooms are more private. 3) The hotel has a small pool; ask for a pool-facing room if you want to use it without crossing the main building.
What time is check-in at Quinta dos Cochichos?
Check-in at Quinta dos Cochichos is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Quinta dos Cochichos have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout, average 25 Mbps down/10 Mbps up; single-device login per room (no password needed, just accept terms).
Is there a city or tourist tax at Quinta dos Cochichos?
None (Olhao does not levy a municipal tourist tax as of 2026)
Where can I eat cheaply near Quinta dos Cochichos?
A prego (steak sandwich) or prato do dia (daily plate) at a tasca — around €7–€9 including a drink.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Quinta dos Cochichos?
Local buses within Olhão are €1.50 per ride; the best budget option from Faro Airport is the Aerobus to Faro city centre (€2.50 one-way), then the regional train or bus to Olhão (€2–€3).
When is the best time to visit Olhao?
May, June and September offer 25–30°C highs, low humidity and thinner crowds than peak July–August.
Top Attractions in Olhao
💡 Go early morning before 10am to see the fish auction and catch the freshest seafood. The upstairs café does a cheap coffee with harbour views.
💡 Free entry but they appreciate a small donation (€1). Allow 40 minutes max. The staff are knowledgeable and may unlock the rooftop terrace on request.
💡 Bring a picnic from the market and sit on the stone wall at the far end for the best sunset spot over the salt pans.
💡 Key available from the tourist office on Rua das Lojas (free deposit). It's often locked, so plan ahead and return the key by 5pm.
💡 Best visited at low tide when birds feed close to the path. Binoculars help, but you'll still see plenty with the naked eye.