Faro

Portugal

About Faro

The capital of the Algarve is often overlooked as a gateway to popular tourist hotspots nearby, but Faro’s popularity is soaring. Beach resorts sit alongside whitewashed villages with charming, cobbled streets, and there’s a delightful marina where you can watch local fishermen unloading the day’s catch.

You’ll find plenty of places to eat, drink and shop in the city centre, with its pedestrianised streets and vibrant squares. The city’s chic rooftop bars, clubs and restaurants really come alive at night. Faro’s picturesque Old Town is packed with well-preserved 18th century architecture like the impressive Cathedral, the Town Hall, the Bishop’s Palace, and the Museu Municipal de Faro. Capela des Ossos, or Chapel of Bones, is a spooky place to visit as the walls, ceiling and altar are decorated with human skeletons.

Faro is also known for its world-class golf, and people flock here to play on its manicured greens. Sun seekers should head to Praia de Faro, the longest beach in the Algarve where you can hire all you need for a day in the sun by the sea. And if you fancy stretching your legs, head to Ria Formosa Natural Park where you can enjoy a 7km hike on a trail that will take you past natural lagoons and saltwater rivers. If you time it well, it’s a wonderful place to catch the sunset.