Faro travel guide
Meet FaroFaro weather reportGetting into FaroTop attractions in FaroGetting around Faro Where to eat in FaroPage 2: More information on Faro
Meet Faro
Faro is a small port city on the Iberian Peninsula that is rapidly becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations in Portugal. Faro Airport is one of the major hubs in the country and is a top low-cost destination.
With an untouched medieval quarter at its heart, Faro is a thoroughly modern city that has grown up around its past. Perhaps that’s why it seems to be the most Portuguese out of all the popular tourist destinations. With old churches to explore and sun-drenched cafés to linger in, excellent restaurants serving local dishes and pumping nightclubs that are as popular with the locals as with the tourists, Faro is warm, welcoming and a lot of fun.
If you prefer to spend your time at the beach, they are within easy reach by bus, the long stretches of inviting sand just waiting to be enjoyed. Faro also has several nearby islands, including the Ilha de Barreta – within easy reach by ferry – which has its own stretch of golden sands as well as fields of wild flowers.
With its mixture of golden beaches, clear waters, warm weather and quirky sights, Faro has just enough culture to turn a beach holiday into something more.
Faro weather report
Faro has a pleasant Mediterranean subtropical climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters. Rain is very unlikely between June and September, although summer weather can be enjoyed from April to late September, so it is possible to avoid the high tourist seasons of Easter, summer holidays and half-term breaks and still catch the sun.
For the latest weather info use the Pampo weather forecast tool.
Getting into Faro
Faro Airport (FAO) is currently Portugal’s second busiest airport and is fast becoming one of the most important airports serving the Iberian Peninsula. It is a big low-budget airline destination, but also handles British Airways, Lufthansa and Monarch, among others.
The airport is about a mile and half from Faro’s city centre, and provides easy transport links via bus to Faro’s central bus terminal. Taxis are also a reasonable option for travelling to and from the airport.
Top attractions in Faro
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Walking through the marina is a must in Faro. The focal point of the city, the marina is its economic hub. Always busy, and with a fresh salty breeze, the marina should be your first port of call to get an initial feel for the city.
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Although the majority of tourists travel to Faro for its wonderful weather and nearby beaches, the town itself is atmospheric and picturesque; spending a few hours exploring it by foot is very rewarding. The Cidade Velha – Old City – is a beautifully preserved area of the old town. The cobblestone streets and 18th century buildings show off the town’s fusion of Portuguese and Moorish histories. The architecture is fascinating, with plenty of arches marking off quiet streets, and shady spots for a romantic moment.
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At the heart of the Old City lies the Faro Cathedral, a Gothic church that has been renovated with renaissance and baroque styles. The interior of the church is light and peaceful, with barrel-vaulted ceiling and the tomb of António Pereira da Silva, an 18th century Bishop of the Algarve. Climbing the tower affords excellent views of the area. Visiting another of Faro’s churches, the Igreja do Carmo, is a more macabre experience. The famous Capela dos Ossos is decorated with the skulls and bones of over 1200 monks. The Episcopal Palace is another top site. The residence of the Bishop of Faro, it has domed roofs and a beautiful façade.
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Faro has several museums, which are a great way to break up all the sun-bathing. The Archaeological Municipal Museum, housed in a 16th century convent, is very interesting, while the Faro Jewish Heritage Centre gives an insight into the lives of the small Jewish community who settled in Faro in the 18th century. The museum includes historical objects, a copy of Gacon’s 1478 Hebrew Pentateuch – one of the first books printed in Portugal – and an old cemetery.
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A boat trip through the Ria Formosa Lagoon is a curious and relaxing way to spend a few hours. The natural salt lakes have become an unusual habitat for exotic forms of flora and fauna and scenery is unlike anything else you’ll have seen in the city.
Getting around Faro
Faro is a small city, so getting around the main tourist sites and hotels won’t really require the use of public transport as walking will do. To visit some of the beaches, which lie slightly further away, the bus network will be of use and tickets can be purchased on board. The Estação de Faro railway station runs trains along the coast, should you care to visit other nearby towns. To get to Faro’s small islands, take the ferry from Porta Niova.
Where to eat in Faro
For tasty, value-for-money meals, the pedestrianised centre of Faro is full of small, delicious restaurants. Fim De Mundo is one such place, offering delicious fresh bread, chargrilled chicken and a good selection of wine and desserts, for very reasonable prices.
Pastelaria Versailles is a wonderful local seafood restaurant, offering tables in the sun, while its sister restaurant, Restaurante Marisqueira O Pitéu, serves the classic chicken piri-piri, as well as hot soups, cheeses and cool beers. For a snack rather than a meal, the cute little café, Gardy, offers a large selection of pastries and cakes, although their ice-cream is unbeatable.
For a more upscale meal, head to Carmané, located on Faro Island. With its bright interior, flanked by huge windows, the restaurant has a great view of the surrounding salt lakes and beaches. It serves fresh lobster in garlic butter, grilled fish and piri-piri prawns, offering a terrific taste of local cuisine.