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 History

Chapel of Bones - Over a thousand human skulls can be found inside of this small 16th-century church.
Old Town Faro - This walled section of Faro contains a combination of Moorish, Roman and renaissance architecture.
Carmo Church - This 18th-century church is an amazing example of Portuguese architecture.
Cabo do Sao Vicente - Steep cliffs surround this ancient site with spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Statue of Sao Goncalo - The views of Lagos Bay from this historic monument to Saint Sao Goncalo are spectacular.

Faro Art and Culture

Faro Archaeological Museum - This beautiful museum contains artefacts from ancient Rome.
Sculpture of Dom Sebastio - This statue of the ill-fated boy king uses a very unique style of sculpting.
Cerro da Villa - This ancient village features many interesting buildings and bathhouses.
Silves Castle - A steep climb allows visitors to see the ancient fort, as well as great views of the surrounding area.
Alcoutim Castle and Archaeological Museum - This ancient castle also features a museum that tells the history of the area.

Faro Shopping

Montechoro Strip - This popular shopping street is full of all types of small shops, bars and restaurants.
Mercado Municipal - Faro’s largest outdoor market, this is the best place in the city to buy fruits and vegetables.
Forum Algarve - Not far from the airport is this open-air shopping mall that features a supermarket and modern cinema.
Modelo Supermarket - This Faro chain is a great place to stock up on local foods including fruits and vegetables.
Algarve Shopping Centre - Very near Faro is this large shopping centre, which features a wide array of name-brand clothing stores.

Gay & Lesbian Faro

LuiSol - This gay-friendly bar features a mixed crowd of gay and straight customers drinking smart cocktails.
Arco Bar - This gay-friendly bar in Faro is known mostly for its music and lively dance floor.
Boemio Bar - A gay bar that features popular drag shows on the weekends.
Dreams Bar - One of the most popular gay bars in the area, this is a great place to meet new people.
Best of Bar - This small and trendy gay and lesbian bar features drag shows.

Faro Outdoor

Lands - This eco-friendly tour company can arrange adventures on both sea and land.
Hidroespaco - This group specializes in archaeological dives to shipwrecks and reefs.
Ponta de Piedade - This Faro beach is the perfect spot for a swim or a romantic picnic.
Real Picadeiro - Visitors come to these stables to enjoy the outdoors and to watch one of the popular horse shows.
Villamoura Marina - This is a lovely place to enjoy the boats either as a sailor or as a spectator.

Faro Sport

Catch an exciting football match at Estadio Algarve.
Ride off the beaten path with Quad Ventura.
Play a round of golf at Villamoura Old Course near Faro.
Jump aboard a horse at the Holistic Riding Centre Quinta Creativa.
Fine tune your serve at the Vale do Lobo Tennis Academy.

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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Attractions & Activities

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