Faro, Portugal: travel guide
Capital of the Algarve, gateway to the Ria Formosa lagoon and its islands, with a walled old town and cathedral.
- Country
- Portugal
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- Europe/Lisbon
- Nearest airport
- FAO
Top places to visit in Faro
Faro Old Town & Arco da Vila
Heritage · about 1 h
Walled historic quarter entered through the neoclassical Arco da Vila, with cobbled squares and storks.
Faro Cathedral (Sé)
Church · about 0.8 h · entry EUR 4
Medieval cathedral rebuilt after earthquakes; climb the tower for views over the Ria Formosa.
Ria Formosa Natural Park
Wildlife · about 3 h
Sheltered lagoon of salt marsh, barrier islands and birdlife; boat tours from Faro marina.
Igreja do Carmo & Capela dos Ossos
Church · about 0.5 h · entry EUR 2
Baroque church with a macabre bone chapel built from the remains of monks.
Ilha Deserta (Barreta)
Beach · about 3 h
Uninhabited barrier island of dunes and empty beach reached by ferry from Faro.
Praia de Faro
Beach · about 2.5 h
Long Atlantic beach on a barrier island connected to the mainland by a bridge.
Museu Municipal de Faro
Museum · about 1 h · entry EUR 2
Archaeology museum in a former convent, with Roman mosaics and a fine cloister.
Things to do
- Ria Formosa Islands Boat Tour Nature · 3.5 h · from EUR 35 per person
- Faro Old Town Walking Tour Walking Tour · 2 h · from EUR 18 per person
- Ria Formosa Kayak Tour Water Sports · 3 h · from EUR 40 per person
Day trips and tours
- Ria Formosa Islands Boat Tour 4 h · from EUR 35
Where to stay in Faro
- Downtown / Marina about EUR 80 per night
Central Faro by the marina and old town, handy for the airport and islands.
Hotels
- Casa d'Alagoa Hostel 2-star · EUR 20 to EUR 70 per night
- Stay Hotel Faro Centro 3-star · EUR 60 to EUR 120 per night
- Hotel Faro & Beach Club 4-star · EUR 110 to EUR 220 per night
Where to eat
- Faz Gostos Portuguese, Algarvian · about EUR 30 per person
- Tertúlia Algarvia Algarvian, Portuguese · about EUR 25 per person
- A Venda Portuguese, Tapas · about EUR 14 per person
Getting around
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.