Faro
Temperature
12°
Time
10:34 AM
Faro
Faro, the capital of the Algarve region, is located on Europe’s most scenic coast, offering beautiful, long sandy beaches. Faro is a charming old town with cobbled streets and leafy parks, the perfect starting point for day-trips to all the marvellous major destinations of this wonderful region.Find your trip
Faro Municipal Museum is home to the region's diverse archaeological finds. Located in a former monastery, its gardens date back to 1540, with two-storey cloisters in the heart of the museum. Among the most remarkable items is a Roman floor mosaic from the 4th-century detailed with the head of the Roman god Neptune.
Rebuilt throughout the ages, Faro Cathedral is now a mixture of Renaissance and Baroque religious buildings. Its interior is equally rich, featuring a large organ from the 18th-century with Chinoiserie details.
Igreja do Carmo is the most popular of Faro's churches, not so much for its fantastically elaborate, gold-leaf laden, Baroque interior, but for its bone chapel, entirely decorated with monks' skeletons.
The Ria Formosa wetlands area was declared a protected natural area in 1987, and is a protected breeding place for wetland birds, threatened by the expansion of tourism. This way, the entire coast from Faro to Cacela Velha was able to avoid any urbanisation. A boat trip to one of Faro’s islands is perhaps the best way to visit Ria Formosa.
The Palácio de Estói, situated in the town of Estói (just north of Faro) is a Rococo style private palace built in the second half of the 19th-century. This miniature version of the King’s palace in Queluz, on the outskirts of Lisbon, is surrounded by relaxing public gardens. In Milreu – just outside the palace – you will come across the Algarve Roman remains.
There are many reasons to visit Faro, but one of the city's biggest attractions lies in the town's active diving scene. Whether it is your first-timer or a veteran diver, the many diving schools, such as Hidroespaço, will suit your needs and provide you with everything you need.
At Deserta Island you have the rare opportunity to spend a day on an uninhabited island! Enjoy peaceful white-sand beaches with crystal blue water. Arrive either by boat or water taxi and do not forget to bring water. As there is only one restaurant on the island, it is also a good idea to bring a snack.
Estádio Algarve was built for the 2004 European football championship, but that does not make it a football fanatics-only attraction. Here you can see different sporting events year-round, so make sure to check if there is anything of interest during your visit.
Faro Municipal Museum is home to the region's diverse archaeological finds. Located in a former monastery, its gardens date back to 1540, with two-storey cloisters in the heart of the museum. Among the most remarkable items is a Roman floor mosaic from the 4th-century detailed with the head of the Roman god Neptune.
Rebuilt throughout the ages, Faro Cathedral is now a mixture of Renaissance and Baroque religious buildings. Its interior is equally rich, featuring a large organ from the 18th-century with Chinoiserie details.
Restaurante 2 Irmãos has a long history as one of Faro’s best and most popular fish restaurants. Established in 1925, this Faro gastronomic landmark serves traditional local cuisine prepared using modern methods, with a focus on seafood dishes, as well as a few tasty meat dishes.
Besides its extensive, specialised selection of beer, Cervejaria Aliança also serves staples of traditional Southern Portuguese gastronomy. The lovely environment of the old, restored building is just perfect to enjoy the drink and food of your choice.
It will be difficult to find a restaurant more Portuguese than Tasca do Ricky. Besides its Portuguese comfort dishes served in big portions, this place is also known for its lovely staff and affordable prices.
A do Pinto is all about locally caught, fresh seafood. Try the Algarve Cataplana – a savoury and generous seafood dish – as well as their octopus. Pair it with a cold beer and you will have an unforgettable dining experience.
Tasquinha Cruzeiro is a gastronomic gem located in the city centre. Its old-fashioned building is home to the cosiest traditional Portuguese restaurant in Faro. Their many affordable, delicious seafood dishes are a must-try.
Taska has a high volume of local customers and a simple pub environment. The food is traditionally Portuguese, with emphasis on seafood. Try the classic pork with clams, or something more unusual like eel or whitebait.
Adega Nova is a family-friendly restaurant with a traditional Portuguese menu. It is a popular restaurant among tourists, and it's known for its generous portions for affordable prices. Do not miss a taste of one of the many wines from their own massive wine cellar.
Centenário serves a varied menu consisting of traditional Algarve cuisine, which includes a mix of fresh seafood and meat dishes. One of Centenario's biggest selling points is, however, the regular fado performances. The restaurant also has a pleasant terrace, an aquarium, and a cozy fireplace.
Restaurante 2 Irmãos has a long history as one of Faro’s best and most popular fish restaurants. Established in 1925, this Faro gastronomic landmark serves traditional local cuisine prepared using modern methods, with a focus on seafood dishes, as well as a few tasty meat dishes.
Besides its extensive, specialised selection of beer, Cervejaria Aliança also serves staples of traditional Southern Portuguese gastronomy. The lovely environment of the old, restored building is just perfect to enjoy the drink and food of your choice.
This is Faro’s largest fresh produce market. Located in a gorgeous modern building, the market is open until late and is the perfect place to have direct contact with the local food culture. It is recommended to go in the early morning when the food stock is the highest.
Forum Algarve is one of the town's premier shopping centres, featuring all sorts of fashion stores and restaurants. It is also home to one of the biggest cinema places in the Algarve.
Just outside Albufeira you find Algarve Shopping Centre. It is the perfect place to spend a rainy afternoon or just to stay out of the sun and heat for a while. You can find several different shops, both from chains like Zara and C&A but also some small local boutiques. If you get hungry there is a food court, and if you feel like catching a movie there is also a cinema.
The town of Porches has a long history of pottery production. All items are unique and made by local artists and artisans, including hand-painted dishes, jars, carafes, and tea-sets, among many others. It is a great place to pick up a one-of-a-kind souvenir for your loved ones back home.
Antonio Manuel Modas is a trendy fashion shop that has been around since 1957. They sell high-end luxury brands and the latest styles for both men and women. It's the right place for those seeking name brand apparel.
Located right in the city centre of Faro, Scoon is a fashion favourite among locals. They have the latest trends in clothes, shoes and accessories for men, women and children.
This is Faro’s largest fresh produce market. Located in a gorgeous modern building, the market is open until late and is the perfect place to have direct contact with the local food culture. It is recommended to go in the early morning when the food stock is the highest.
Forum Algarve is one of the town's premier shopping centres, featuring all sorts of fashion stores and restaurants. It is also home to one of the biggest cinema places in the Algarve.
Portugal can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport but must carry a valid ID during their stay.
Faro’s international airport is located six kilometers to the west of the city, right by the sea. Buses 14 and 16 depart regularly to the centre of Faro, and the trip takes approximately 20 minutes. You can buy the ticket directly from the driver, but remember that it is good to have some small change or the exact amount of money. A taxi ride takes just under fifteen minutes.
The Algarve region is famous for having the best weather in Portugal, with long summers and short, mild winters. Beach season goes from spring to autumn and attracts the biggest crowds; visiting in winter often means that you will find cheaper accommodation and a quieter atmosphere.
Faro’s train station connects the city with the rest of the region and the country. There is also a well-developed bus network, EVA, convenient for small trips within trips in the region. In the city centre, it is best to walk, but if you would rather take the local bus, the courier name is Proximo.
For longer trips, it is better to negotiate the price in advance as the driver has the right to various surcharges for returning empty if the taxi meter is used. Tips are not obligatory but appreciated, even if small. The cars are either beige, green or black, and the best way to find one is to go to one of the taxi ranks or pre-book. One of the main taxi companies in town is Faro Taxi.
To find a post office in Faro, look for the red sign that says CTT. Letter boxes are red as well. Faro’s main post office is located in Largo do Carmo and it is open from Monday to Friday.
Each district of the town always has one pharmacy open 24-hours (farmácia in Portuguese, marked with a green cross) in accordance with a schedule displayed in the window of closed pharmacies. Otherwise, the opening hours are from 9am to 1pm and from 3pm to 7pm. You can check the open pharmacies at https://www.farmaciasdeservico.info/faro/faro/
Portugal can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport but must carry a valid ID during their stay.
Faro’s international airport is located six kilometers to the west of the city, right by the sea. Buses 14 and 16 depart regularly to the centre of Faro, and the trip takes approximately 20 minutes. You can buy the ticket directly from the driver, but remember that it is good to have some small change or the exact amount of money. A taxi ride takes just under fifteen minutes.
