Faro holidays

Holidays to Faro deliver the best of both worlds – you’ve got a historical old town and bucketloads of natural scenery.

Traditional touches

Faro might be the capital of the Algarve, but it’s got a whole different vibe to its big-name neighbours Lisbon and Porto. You can really get a taste of traditional Portugal here – the sleepy old town rubs shoulders with a marina where local fishermen and clam pickers haul in their catch of the day. Elsewhere, your sightseeing list will include time-stamped cathedrals and a massive nature reserve complete with wetlands and secluded stretches of beach.

History on tap

This city’s home to the largest concentration of historic sites and monuments in the Algarve, and that includes a crop of religious buildings. But if you only visit one, make it the Capela dos Ossos – otherwise known as the Chapel of Bones. This place really lives up to its name. The bones and skulls of over a thousand monks were exhumed from the city’s crowded cemeteries in 1816, and now adorn practically every inch of the walls and ceilings inside the chapel.

An escape from the city

You won’t have to go far to get back to nature here – Ria Formosa Natural Park’s plotted right on the edge of Faro’s old town. This maze of canals, marshes and islands stretches out for about 60 kilometres, so you’ve got loads of room for walking, cycling or wildlife spotting. If you’re into birdwatching, pack your binoculars and make a beeline for one of the bird observatories that are scattered around the park – you’ll have the chance to tick purple swamphens, flamingos and white storks off your list.

Brilliant beaches

It’d be rude to visit the Algarve without spending some time on the sand – the region’s famed for its best-in-class beaches. One of the most popular swathes in Faro is Ilha Deserta. And you’ll want to pack a picnic and your favourite book if you’re planning on spending the day here – as its name suggests, it’s a secluded spot, pinned just the other side of Ria Formosa Natural Park. The soft, terracotta-tinted sand spreads out for around six kilometres, encompassing Cabo de Santa Maria – the most southerly spot in Portugal.

Popular hotels in Faro

Top things to see and do in Faro

Beaches

A quiet coastline

Faro’s position near Portugal’s most southerly point puts it in prime beachgoing territory. The biggest swathes of sand are just the other side of Ria Formosa Natural Park, and are best reached by hopping on a boat or strolling along a long boardwalk. Things feel really secluded here, despite it being the main spot for incoming flights. Even in peak summer, you’ll easily get a garden-sized patch of sand all to yourself. Elsewhere, if you don’t mind a short drive, you’ve got plenty of built-up stretches home to cafés, bars and watersports centres.

The big beach

Faro’s most famous beach is Cabo de Santa Maria – the southernmost point in mainland Portugal. You can reach it by following a long wooden boardwalk through Ria Formosa Natural Park. This place might be popular, but its size means it’s never crowded. And it’s as scenic as they come – think flat, grassy dunes giving way to silky sand and rolling turquoise waves.

The secret beach

If you don’t mind venturing a little bit further away from the city centre, try Culatra Beach on for size. This spot’s only reachable by ferry – it’s on an island in Ria Formosa Natural Park – and shows off more of the trademark toffee-coloured sand the Algarve’s known for. A little village marks the end of the island where the ferry port is, but the further east you walk, the quieter things get.

Shopping

Bargain buys

When you want to bag some bargains, you’ll have a few options here, including Faro Municipal Market. You can pick up souvenirs, essentials and on-the-go lunches from this covered marketplace, which sits in the centre of the city, just outside the old town. It’s not overly tourist-centred, either, which makes it a great place to mingle with locals.

Mid-range buys

If you’ve ticked off everything on your sightseeing list and fancy a day of full-blown retail therapy, hop in a taxi and head to Forum Algarve – a modern, open-air shopping centre on the edge of town. There are about a hundred shops here, including familiar faces like JD Sports, Levi’s and Mango, as well as plenty of Portuguese brands. And when it comes to quenching your hunger or thirst, you’ve got the likes of Pizza Hut, Ben & Jerry’s and Starbucks.

Designer buys

For designer goodies, your best bet is to head to Rua de Santo Antonio – a pedestrian shopping street with a mosaicked pavement and suspended canopies for shade. Here, you’ll find a department store called Antonio Manuel, which is stuffed full of high-end brands like Hugo Boss, Michael Kors and Armani.

Nightlife

Laid-back evenings

For a low-key evening out after a long day exploring, head to Faro’s waterfront. The streets lining the marina are sprinkled with laidback bars, including a few rooftop numbers, each one sporting sea views. Live music’s sometimes on the agenda, too.

Lively evenings

Faro’s city centre’s your go-to spot for a big night out. Here, you’ll find tonnes of bars and clubs, and most of the streets are pedestrianised, which means it’s easy to flit between venues. There’s a good mix of traditional Portuguese taverns and bang-up-to-date venues, which means you can sample the best of both worlds.

Food & drink

Piri-piri chicken

The Algarve’s famous for piri-piri chicken, and Faro’s no different. You might see it called frango piri-piri here. Chicken’s marinaded in a sauce made up of chilli, lemon, garlic and salt, then cooked – usually on a charcoal grill – and dished up with salad and chips. A lot of restaurants specialise in this exact dish, so you’ll have no trouble finding some to satisfy your craving.

Oysters

The Algarve loves its seafood, and a lot of the region’s oysters come from Faro – or more specifically, Ria Formosa Natural Park. You’ll see them on many a menu around the old town, but for an authentic experience, make a beeline for a marisqueira – a type of restaurant that specialises in seafood.

Arroz de Lingueirao

This dish is Faro’s take on risotto. Net-fresh clams are combined with short grain rice, tomatoes, white wine, chillies, garlic and olive oil to create a creamy dish with plenty of flavour. Look out for it on the menus at seafood restaurants – it’s sometimes called razor clam rice.

Pastel de nata

There’s a reason why you can pick up a pastel de nata pretty much anywhere in Portugal – these simple-yet-delicious pastries are the ultimate sightseeing snack. Round, pastry tarts are topped with a creamy egg custard and sometimes a dusting of cinnamon. You can grab one at practically any bakery or café in Faro.

Ginja

If you like cherry, you’ll love this local liquor. Made with Portuguese brandy, morello cherries, sugar and spices, it’s so popular in this part of the Algarve that there are entire bars dedicated to it. Some places even serve it in little chocolate cups, making it the perfect sweet treat to round off a big meal.

Facts about Faro

Currency
Euro
(EUR)
Language
Portuguese
Time zone
GMT +0
Flight duration
2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours 45 minutes from Gatwick

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