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Faro, the largest city in the Algarve region of Portugal is also the capital city. The main transport hub to the region, the main airport and train stations are based here in Faro along with bus services from Lisbon and other regional areas around the country.
Since Faro is centrally located in the Algarve region, it is easy to base yourself here and explore the region via public transportation or a rental car to discover the popular attractions, beaches, nature or adventure experiences in the area.
With a combination of historic and cultural sites, amazing cuisine, natural landscapes and gorgeous beaches, Faro does have all the right attractions and vacation needs for a visit here to the Algarve region.
Is Faro worth visiting?
Faro is a fantastic location in the Algarve to base yourself while exploring the region. There’s great attractions, historic sites, natural landscapes and fantastic beaches to explore
How to get to Faro?
The main gateway to the Algarve district is at Faro Airport where you can catch flights from Lisbon and other hubs to Faro directly.
Is there train service to Faro?
The main hub for railway is at Faro from Lisbon and other regional centers in Portugal. You can catch the daily train service to Faro and find out more train information to traveling here for more details.
How many days to visit Faro?
You can easily visit the main highlights of Faro in a day, but if you base yourself here, you can explore the rest of the Algarve, enjoy the beaches and other outdoor pursuits in the area.
Faro has a rich history and cultural presence in the region and the historic district or Cidade Velha is a noteworthy area to start your visit to the city. Inside the historic city walls of Moorish and Portuguese origin, the entry through the historic main city gate at Porta Nova brings you directly into the heart of the old city.
You can easily explore the old town on your own walking down the cobbled streets through sections of private homes, villas and buildings that open up to expansive plazas and then to some of the historic buildings of the Cidade Velha. But, through the local tourism office just off the main city gates, you can sign up for a free walking tour around the city sections of the city and then the perimeter and newer parts of the city on this tour.
Places around the Cidade Velha to explore include:
This historic and beautiful Baroque inspired entry gate used to be part of the old Arabic gateway (sections expose some of the old parts of the portal). The gorgeous gate has a striking bell tower and details and sometimes a favorite spot of local storks to build their nest. Partially destroyed in the 1755 earthquake, the new neo classical structure is impressive as a gateway to the Cidade Velha.
Follow the gate directly into the old city section with cobbled streets and homes and eventually leading to the larger squares and attractions in the area.
The large open plaza area of the historic district is lined with beautiful and mature orange trees. Surrounding the square are striking and beautiful government buildings, the grand cathedral, the bishops palace and city hall to enjoy and walk around.
Sit around the square and admire the fabulous combination of Medieval, Gothic to baroque architecture, just in the plaza area alone.
This imposing Cathedral in the Cidade Velha was built in the 13th century looks more like a fortress then a church which is apparent because it was ransacked by the Earl of Sussex in 1596 and then later damaged by two major earthquakes. Still, the main tower and two chapels exist along with most of the interior details from the 17th century. Check out the museum and enjoy the views from the tower above when you explore the Se cathedral.
Inside you will enjoy three different styles of the Gothic, Baroque and Mannerist periods along the three naves and chapels of the interior of the Se.
The Cidade Velha of Faro is over 2000 years old and was occupied by ancient cultures of Rome, Phoenicia, Visigoths, Byzantines and then the Moors before Portuguese rule. The old fortified walls still ring the old city and are an ancient bygone of these previous rulers that came and rule this region of the Algarve.
As you walk around the inside and perimeter of the city walls, you’ll see this fantastic combination of history and architecture, passage ways and portals to admire all of these ancient cultures rolled up into the Cidade Velha.
It’s fun to explore the town, shops, restaurants and historic sites around the old town and appreciate the fascinating mixture of ancient cultures mixed in with the new.
Located inside the old town the Municipal Museum is located in the Convento de Nossa Senhora da Assuncao or Our Lady of Assumption Convent. The museum showcases the history, culture and civilizations of ancient Faro with displays and collections from the region.
This includes artifacts and collections of the early rulers from Roman, Medieval to Moorish periods of occupation at Faro and the Algarve region.
The Archeological Museum is only 2 Euro and open Tuesday to Sunday.
The ancient city walls were ruled by so many countries of Phoenician, Roman, Byzantine to the Moors, it is easy to see the walls for what it is. But the walk around the waterfront promenade allows for different views of the walls and old city architecture along with enjoying the naturalist landscape of the amazing waterways and natural marshes of the impressive Ria Formosa Nature Reserve.
You’ll see a variety of boat tours offering trips through the natural preserve or tours to take you eventually to the beaches of Faro on the outer islands to spend a wonderful beach day here.
Faro has amazing outdoor adventures, gorgeous landscapes and large beaches to enjoy in the area.
This large reserve in the Faro waterways leading to the ocean is impressive and huge and stretches over 60Km from the Algarve coastline from Faro, Ohao, Tavira and Vila Real de Santo Antonio
You can explore the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve through cruises that visit the marshlands and islands and also do a tour of the beaches of Faro if you want to do a combo trip.
Here are some options for you to explore below
Tour the nature preserves of Ria Formosa Nature Reserve four islands four stops tour here.
Tour the nature preserves, dolphin and wildlife tour around Faro
Ludo hiking trail via Segway tour and a delicious seafood lunch
The outer islands of the Algarve at Faro and lined with flat expansive golden sandy beaches. You can get to them by a bus ride to different points on these barrier islands and beach areas. You can catch the number 16 bus head towards the beach areas and costs 2.35 Euro each way
Day time departures are every 30-40 minutes from Faro, check out the bus information here for more details to visiting the beaches.
The main beaches to enjoy around Faro includes
Cabo de Santa Maria
Location: Faro, Portugal
Praia de Faro stretches out for over 5 km along Faro Island
Location: Ila de Faro, Portugal
Ilha Deserta – a stretch of over 7 km of fine golden sand
Location: Ilha da Barreta, 8005-556 Faro, Portugal
Praia do Garrao – Part of the Golden Triangle of three beaches with holiday resorts and dining venues
Location: Vale do Garrão 8135 Loulé, Portugal
Praia de Quarteira – one of the most popular and busiest beach areas with resorts and golf courses of Vilamoura nearby.
Location: R. do Poco Romano, Quarteira, Portugal
The harbor area is a fun hang out spot and popular with locals and tourists alike. You’ll find a variety of cafes and coffee shops around the waterfront and harbor area to enjoy some local food while checking out the views of the harbor area and old city walls and estuary.
You’ll find the many cruise outfitters here also to take you on a cruise around the nature preserves of the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve to take you on a local cruise of the area.
Harbor art scenes in Faro
The nighttime in Faro is actually lively with a host of restaurants, bars and hang out spots that makes the city surprisingly festive and vibrant.
There are cool rooftop bars with views, fun night clubs and tourist walking venues like the pedestrian street of Conserlheiro Bivar with fun shopping, dining and hang out spots late into the night to enjoy. You’ll find lots of fabulous choices for the night with great atmosphere and people watching here.
If you are looking for night life in Faro, check out all the best hang out spots here for more information.
Dining here in the Algarve is fun alfresco or at any of the cool seafood restaurants and cafes around the city and waterfront areas. When you are visiting the Algarve, the local cuisine is worth trying out in the menus are any of these dining venues.
Local foods to try here includes:
Grilled Sardines – a local favorite dish easily grilled and found in every restaurant in Faro
Bacalhau a Bras – Codfish with parsley, eggs and fried potatoes
Cataplana de Masicos – mixed local seafood in a stew of tomatoes, herbs and wine
Enchidos – smoke sausages with different ingredients for filling
Pasteis de Nata – a national pastry treat of Portugal
Conquilhas à Algarvia – a delicious clam stew dish of fried onions, Portuguese sausage and local clams with garlic and parsley
Algarve Shrimp – the shrimp in the Algarve are best eaten grilled and hot from the coals and served with garlic and piri piri hot sauce.
Javali or Wild Boar – a substantial meaty local boar stew with vegetables, garlic and spices
There are fun shopping venues around the city to explore and do some serious shopping. With a variety of boutique stores, gift and souvenir shops, jewelry stores and large shopping centers, you’ll have plenty of shopping experiences here in Faro.
The largest shopping experience is located at Forum Algarve, A fresh open air shopping venue with over 100 shops, cinema, hyper market and restaurants to explore and spend your tourist euros.
Also, you’ll find shops off Praça Dr Francisco Gomes near the marina and you’ll see where locals shop and these gorgeous patterned streets with local shopping venues and other tourist shops to draw in visitors and locals with shoe shops, artisanal gourmet venues, crafts and boutique stores and other souvenir shops along this route.
Housed in the gardens of the Igreja do Carmo (Carmelite church), the Chapel of Bones were created from exhumed bones from finite local cemetery spaces to create this small chapel as a reflection on the human condition and life. The chapel is richly decorated on all the walls, ceilings and altar area with skulls and bones in a patterned effect that is easy on the eyes and not morbid but reflective in nature.
After visiting Faro, there are some other local attractions and easy road trips to explore around Faro and the Algarve region. This includes these popular places and attractions below:
One of the unique palaces to visit just outside Faro at Estoi is this colorful palace made in baroque and neo-Rococo style with a fun French inspired topiary garden. This restored palace is now a unique Pousada or inn that was built in 1840.
The inn is for guests but you can visit the gardens, ground floor and the bar area.
If you would like to stay for the night, check out the reviews to staying at the Palacio de Estoi here.
Located on the western side of the Algarve and close to the border, Tavira is a delightful and historic city filled with old world charm but a distinctive small scale city. Located on the banks of the Gilão River, the city has and old historic district with the large castelo de Tavira of Moorish influence dominating the central part of the historic district and the outer areas of town has the Ria Formosa Natural Park with inlets, lagoons and beach areas that are fun to explore in the area. Tavira Island attracts many wildife and area birds like flamingos, spoonbills and many other local birds that flock to the area.
Outside of the main castelo in the historic district and surrounding areas, you can visit the Santa María do Castelo Church, the igreja da Misericordia and the Ponte Antiqua o Rio Gilao which is a pedestrian bridge from the Moorish time frame and has fantastic water views and mansions that you can see from the bridge area. There’s also the elegant Praca da Republica which is the main square and lined with many cafes, fountains and monuments including the Moorish horseshoe arch, once part of the castle defenses and now a historic site you can visit in the area.
Check out this guided city tour of Tavira and other attractions around the eastern side of the Algarve here for more information.
The town of 70,000 people is the largest municipality with over 70,000 residents and the marketplace here is a must visit along with exploring the more modern city center. The Marketplace sits in a historic building that has a Moorish influence and design. Inside, you’ll find the freshest produce, regional arts and crafts, eateries and specialty artisanal producers from the area.
Surrounding the market are tree lined streets, boutique stores and busy narrow streets that still harken to the medieval period into the Cidade Velha or historic center, a gothic church an ancient castle. It is working class city and not on the tourist map but still fascinating to explore and see the daily lives and activities of locals in the area.
If you are exploring Faro and the Algarve having renting a car is the best option and flexibility of choosing where you want to go and how long you want to stay at each spot. Traveling around the toll roads and surface roads in the Algarve is easy and straightforward for you to explore with a rental car in the region.
Car rental for Algarve region
Check the best car rental rates here with Auto Europe
If you are flying into Faro Airport
Arrange your Faro Airport private transfers here
If you are looking for more outdoor and adventure oriented experiences around the Faro area, check out these fun group tours below.
Hop on Hop Off 24 hour island tour experiences
Segway nature and birdwatching tour
Algarve quad adventure tour
Explore the Algarve area of Portugal
8 traditional Portuguese foods
Things to do in Albufeira, Algarve
Visit the Unesco towns of Evora
Lisbon Attractions
Thanks for checking out this post on Faro Portuga, it really should be on your list of worthwhile places to visit here in Portugal.
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