Faro Hotels

Faro Rundown

When the nightlife hubbub of Albufeira and Lagos unnerves, the capital of the Algarve swoops in to the rescue. Faro, home to some 50,000 people, is a breezy escape with a genuine small town Portugal vibe. As a result, the feverish package holiday action of other destinations in the region feels much farther away. This is sterling for Algarve tourists who seek to carve out a different path; one laden, perhaps, with traditional architecture, museums and authentic culinary experiences. In short, Faro feels like a community that became a popular tourist target - and not the other way around. ... Read more »

Underappreciated Ria Formosa National Park is a key attraction in Faro District. The lagoon and barrier island system, now a a seaport and marina, was a base for human habitation as far back as the late Paleolithic. Faro itself unfurls a pastiche of architecture that spans a variety of eras, from the medieval to the Umayyad Caliphate. Telltale landmarks inculde the macabre, yet pious, Capela dos Ossos, Sé Catedral and Jewish Cemetery. The Museu Etnográfico Regional do Algarve is a fine depot of historical objects and the Centro Ciência Viva do Algarve a first-rate science museum for children of all ages. At the height of the summer season, of course, everyone makes a beeline for the beach.

FARO'S TOP 10

10. Cidade Velha The old district of Faro contains some exquisite heritage architecture.	5. Centro Ciência Viva do Algarve is a wonderful science museums for parents and wee ones alike. A perfect pause from the usual beach action.
9. Museu Municipal The main civic museum in Faro is a goldmine of Algarve relics, documents and artefacts.	4. Sé Catedral de Faro Few vestiges from the original 13th century structure endure but the city cathedral is a requisite wonder regardless.
8. Ilha da Barreta is a lovely sandbar island off the coast.	3. Ria Formosa National Park is a singular nature reserve of lagoons, islands, white sand and inherent wildlife.
7. Faro Jewish Cemetery is a repository of ornate Sephardic headstone artistry.	2. Capela dos Ossos Perhaps the most infamous attraction in Faro and the Algarve, the bare bones Capela dos Ossos is literally that.
6. Estádio Algarve was built for Euro 2004 and hosts all the big-name events in the region.	1. Museu Etnográfico Regional do Algarve The Algarve Regional Museum is small but well worth a special trip.

FARO EVENTS

Faro International Motorcycle Rally is a world class motorsports event that lures tens of thousands of fans to the city every July.

Carnival of Loulé, the Mardi Gras of the Algarve, takes place in February over three days.

Praia do Faro is the main beach in the city and a popular hub for water sports.

Golf is a major activity in the Algarve. Faro is duly close to several fine clubs for duffers and scratch golfers alike.

WHEN TO GO

Faro has a Mediterranean climate with four temperate to warm seasons. While summer is the best time to visit from a weather standpoint, high season crowds entice some to try a month like April or October. The start and tail end of the peak tourism period is a bona fide window of opportunity to have the best of both worlds in Faro and the Algarve.

Temperatures in Faro waver between 61°F (16°C) to 82°F (28°C) from June to September, with very little rainfall. Mild winters see temperatures in the 44.5°F (7°C) to 59°F (15°C) range and moderate to heavy precipitation throughout the months of November, December, January and February.

With a median temperature of 64°F (16°C), Faro has some of the most enviable weather in Europe. Truth be told, there is no “bad” time to visit the Algarve.

GETTING AROUND

Faro Airport is a busy regional hub that accommodates well over 5 million passengers a year. The airport serves the likes of Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Dublin, London, Oslo, Paris, Vienna, Warsaw and Zurich. Indeed, there is hardly a corner of Europe not on Faro Airport’s radar.

The Alpha Pendular is a high-speed train that runs twice a day between Lisbon and Faro. Total travel time is about 2.5 hours. A slower, less expensive train covers the same distance in 3.5 to 4 hours. The Algarve at large has a decent regional rail network for inter-city travel. Coach bus operators ply routes to Faro from throughout the Iberian Peninsula.

Within Faro visitors can rely on taxis and two bus lines to get around. The old city makes for a scenic and comfortable stroll.

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