15 Things To Do In Faro Algarve Portugal
Streets of Faro City, Algarve, Portugal
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Things To Do In Faro Portugal
Welcome to Faro, a sunny place in Portugal's Algarve. Beautiful beaches meet interesting history here, making visiting Faro a great experience for everyone. Whether you love nature at Ria Formosa Natural Park or exploring old streets in the Old Town, Faro has lots to see and do. Let's look at 15 fun things you can do to make your visit special along with some travel tips.
Benches on the terrace in Faro Algarve Portugal
15 Things To Do In Faro
Ria Formosa Natural Park
1. Ria Formosa Natural Park
The Ria Formosa Natural Park is in the Algarve region. This Park is famous for its islands, marshes, and canals that stretch over 60 kilometers across the southernmost tip of Portugal. The Natural Park has many ecosystems, making it the perfect place to spot wild animals and sea life. Some of the animals that live here are many species of birds, the Portuguese water dog, shellfish, and tuna.
There are also many hikes and activities to do around the Park, such as the Caminho do Ludo - São Lourenço hike, Quinta do Lago - Praia da Ilha de Faro via Caminho do Ludo hike, and lots of kayaking and sailing.
I recommend island-hopping or taking a boat trip around the area to really soak in its beauty. Guests can also opt to take a wheelchair-accessible 2-hour guided bird-watching boat trip.
Interior of Faro Cathedral Sé De Faro
2. Cathedral of Faro (Sé de Faro)
This medieval cathedral from the 13th century was originally built as a catholic church until it became a mosque under the Moorish rule. Since then, it has been rebuilt as a Roman Catholic Cathedral and consecrated in the Blessed Virgin Mary's name.
The ceiling and walls of the church's interior are covered with 17th-century tiles. The church also has a museum with paintings, religious statues, and vestments. One of the best things to do here is climb the tower's steps and get a view of the city of Faro.
Municipal Museum Faro Algarve Portugal
3. Municipal Museum
If you want to learn more about the history of Faro, Portugal, then head to the Museu Municipal. This small museum is located inside the Monastery of the Assumption of Mary. Some of the most important pieces in the museum are the Roman mosaics, prehistoric remains from the area, and many religious artifacts.
There are also paintings by local artists, like Carlos Porfirio. The property's gardens are a perfect place to relax after a day of learning. If you want to learn more about the history of this area, this is the place to do it.
Detail of the architecture of the streets in City Center Faro Algarve Portugal
4. Old Town of Faro
I think a city’s old town is the best way to get to know a city. The Old Town of Faro is full of cobbled streets and old buildings and is surrounded by a medieval wall termed The Old City Walls. Almost everything is located in this part of the city, so if you can, base yourself in or near the old town.
Faro Old Town is entered through the Porta Nova entrance, which leads to the city's heart. Many cafes and restaurants serve traditional Portuguese cuisine and drinks inside the city walls.
Capela dos Ossos Faro Algarve Portugal - The Bone Chapel
5. Igreja do Carmo and the Capela dos Ossos
In the back of the Igreja do Carmo church is where the Capela dos Ossos (or Bone Chapel) is located. In this 18th-century chapel, you can find over 1,200 human bones from the Carmelite friars who died serving in the church. The bones are all over this little chapel's walls, ceiling, and even altar.
The Igreja do Carmo is a normal-looking church with a white facade and a stone and wood interior. That makes the Capela dos Ossos hidden inside much more interesting to visit.
6. Palácio de Estoi
The construction of the Palácio de Estoi began in the 1840s and wasn’t finished until 1909. That’s because the original owner of this property died, and José Francisco da Silva took over the building of this project and made it what it is today.
This luxury hotel is an excellent place to go if you are looking for a fancy place to stay in Faro. It’s a little farther from the city (about 10km), but the beauty of this property is worth the distance. If you’re not looking to stay here, you can visit the gardens surrounding the hotel and admire the hotel from the outside.
Faro Marina
7. Faro Marina
If you like yachts and luxury boats, the Faro Marina is the place for you. Here, you can walk around the marina, see the mermaid statue, and watch the sunset from a rooftop bar while enjoying a drink. Also, if you like seafood, then try O Coreto, which is the only restaurant that is actually in the Marina.
There’s also the Museu Marítimo Almirante Ramalho Ortigã, a museum about the boats that have sailed from this port, including the boat that Vasco da Gama sailed to India in 1498.
Grilled sardines with red pepper and potato
8. Faro Food Tour
To experience southern Portugal's food, you need to take a Faro food tour. A food tour will take you around the city to some of the best restaurants that serve the best food.
Some of Faro's main dishes include Xarém com Conquilhas (corn porridge with clams), Carne de Porco Alentejana (pork and clams, with potatoes), Arroz de Lingueirao (rice and clams), and Raia de Alhada (stingray cooked in garlic). A good food tour will also include drinks like Portugal's famous port wine.
9. Forum Algarve
Located just outside the city center, the Forum Algarve is a shopping mall with over 150 restaurants and stores worldwide. It offers everything from luxury department stores to cheap eats like McDonald’s. If you are looking for a place to escape the heat and treat yourself on your vacation, this is the place for you.
The mall has only been around since 2001, but it has grown in popularity with visitors and locals alike. It’s just five minutes from the airport, making it a perfect last stop before heading home.
Arc of The Vila Faro Algarve Portugal
10. Arco de Vila
The Arco de Vila was one of the original medieval archways into the city. Then, in 1812, Italian architect Francisco Xavier Fabri built a monument surrounding the arch.
The monument features a statue of St Thomas Aquinas, a 13th-century scholar of religion. The arch has a place where you can climb to the top and enjoy a magnificent view of Old Town. This is not the only archway into the old town, but it is the most beautiful.
Praia de Faro
11. Praia de Faro
Praia de Faro is a popular beach in the Algarve region of Portugal, known for its extensive sandy shores and clear waters. It's situated on the Península de Ancao, which separates the Atlantic Ocean from the Ria Formosa lagoon, offering visitors a unique natural setting.
This beach is particularly appreciated for its beauty and its range of activities, such as swimming, sunbathing, water sports, and exploring the local natural environment.
Praia de Faro is relatively close to the city of Faro, the capital of the Algarve region. It's approximately 8 to 10 kilometers (about 5 to 6 miles) from the city center. You can get there by car, public transport, bike or Uber. There is also a ferry service that connects Faro to Praia de Faro.
Sea life from Ria Formosa Natural Park
12. Centro Ciência Viva do Algarve
The Centro Ciência Viva do Algarve is a great place to take your kids to learn about the ocean. It opened in 1997 and its main exhibits are the Know+, Eat Well, Walk Better exhibit, and the From Ria to Rua exhibit. These exhibits discuss everything from physics to geology to food and even meteorology.
The building also has three aquarium rooms with local sea life, flora, and fauna from the Ria Formosa Natural Park. This is a great place to introduce your children to the world of science while learning about Faro’s ecosystems.
Beach in Albufeira Portugal
13. Take a Day Trip
There are so many things to see and explore in the Algarve region that are just a short trip from Faro.
Olhao is just a 10-minute train ride and is amazing to visit. It’s a colorful fishing village known for its Mercados de Olhão. On another day trip, you can either go west or east, depending on what you want to see. For example, to the east, Castro Marim has a medieval castle overlooking the small village. Another place in the east is the salt pans, where you can see how salt is made.
Then, in the west, we have Albufeira, famous for being a beach destination with a beautiful boardwalk. Also, in the west, we have Lagos, a walled-in old town like Faro. It also has cliffs, a lighthouse, and a castle. If you do go to Lagos, make sure to take a boat tour. Boat tours are an extremely popular way to see the Algarve. Also, consider a wheelchair-accessible half-day Jeep Safari Tour of the Algarve. There is so much to see around Faro, so leave a couple of days to see the surrounding area.
Concert in Faro
14. Enjoy Faro’s Nightlife
After the sun sets, it’s time to party! Faro’s nightlife is fantastic, and there’s so much to do even when it’s dark. You can walk around the old town, get dinner, see live music, and stroll down the promenade if you want to have a romantic night with your loved one. Or you could go to a nightclub and dance at a place like Prestige Dance Club the night away.
There are also many rooftop bars where you can hang out and try some of Portugal’s famous alcohols like Port Wine and Medronho.
Cooked octopus with chickpeas
15. A Cocktail at O Castelo
O Castelo is a bar and restaurant in the heart of the old town. It is a great place to try traditional Algarve cuisine and cocktails. It has an amazing ocean view, and the food is some of the best in Faro. If you want to come here to watch the sunset, you must book a reservation before you go.
Some of the best things on the menu here include octopus, tuna, and their cocktails. There is a long list of cocktails that you can order, and all of them taste amazing.
Street view of Faro City Center
Accessibility In Faro Algarve Portugal
Faro is made up of many cobblestone streets which can prove challenging for those with mobility issues. But these cobblestone streets can be largely avoided in favor of streets covered in Portuguese paving tiles, which are comfortable, regular, and level, with only a few obstacles along terraces, which are easy to get around.
There are also several accessible features that make visiting the Faro possible. First, the Faro Tourist Train has been adapted for disabled people with reduced mobility. Visitors can take the train at the Jardim Manuel Bívar, where the journey starts. The tour lasts 50 minutes and takes you through many city areas.
Tourist Train in Faro, Algarve, Portugal
The Porto de Recreio (Recreational Port) (9), has an accessible area that is open to everyone to move around freely without obstacles. The port is located in the Ria Formosa. Here many tourist companies offer boat rides adapted for people with reduced mobility. Very close to the Ria, the Praia de Faro-Mar accessible by car or by boat was awarded ‘Accessible Beach’ status and is equipped with amphibious wheelchairs enabling everyone to enter the water.
Attractions like Arco de Vila, Centro Ciência Viva do Algarve, The Municipal Museum, and Sé de Faro are wheelchair accessible.
Empty street and street art in Faro, Algarve, Portugal
Final Thoughts: Things To Do In Faro Algarve
Faro offers a mix of beautiful nature, interesting history, and fun activities. From enjoying views at the Cathedral of Faro to trying tasty food on a food tour to relaxing at Praia de Faro, there's something for everyone. With these 15 things to do, Faro will surely make your trip memorable. Dive into the adventures Faro offers and let it win you over. Ready to pack your bags?
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Author bio: Yvonne is a Canadian who calls Portugal home (at least part-time). She’s been living in the country since 2020. She owns a small house in rural Portugal and loves to write about Portugal travel on her blog, nowinportugal.com
