Festa das Tochas Floridas in São Brás de Alportel

Events Ricardo -
On Easter Sunday, São Brás de Alportel covers its streets in flowers and fills them with flower-decked torches.

An Independent Guide to Faro

Welcome to Faro, the vibrant capital of the Algarve. While many travelers pass through Faro Airport on their way to resort towns, those who stop to visit find an authentic, historic Portuguese city rich in culture, pristine nature, and incredible seafood.

Faro offers a stark contrast to the heavily commercialized tourist strips of the western Algarve. Enclosed by ancient Moorish walls, the historic old town (Cidade Velha) features cobblestone streets, hidden cafes, and a stunning 13th-century Cathedral. Right on the edge of the city lies the Ria Formosa Natural Park, a breathtaking maze of saltwater lagoons and barrier islands boasting some of Europe’s finest beaches like Ilha do Farol.

see and do in Faro

Ilha do Farol: Faro’s Car-Free Island at the Edge of the Atlantic

Discover Farol village, a small seaside settlement on Ilha da Culatra, known for its sandy paths, colourful houses and island atmosphere.

Casa do Compromisso Marítimo: Faro’s Seafarers’ House

Casa do Compromisso Marítimo in Faro preserves the story of the city’s medieval fishermen and sailors, their mutual-aid brotherhood and the maritime community.

The Church and Monastery of São Francisco

The Church and Monastery of São Francisco in Faro stand among the city’s most historically layered and architecturally intriguing religious sites

Arco do Repouso: Faro’s Historic Old Town Gateway

A 12th-century Almohad gateway in Faro's Old Town, wrapped in legend and crowned with a hidden 18th-century chapel.

Largo Pé da Cruz: Faro’s Quiet Square

This square is where Faro's everyday life quietly unfolds — cobblestones, a modest church, and terraces full of local flavor.

The Bank of Portugal Building

Facing Faro's marina and garden, the Bank of Portugal building is one of the city's landmarks — a 1926 Neo-Manueline design blending Portuguese revivalism with Moorish-inspired details.
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events in Faro

Festa das Tochas Floridas in São Brás de Alportel

On Easter Sunday, São Brás de Alportel covers its streets in flowers and fills them with flower-decked torches.

The Pine Cone and the Muleteers: A Day at Estoi’s Festa da Pinha

Every year on the second of May, Estoi, a small village a few kilometres north of Faro, does something unusual for the Algarve: the...

Carnival in Bordeira, Faro: Algarve’s Most Authentic Street Party

A look at Bordeira's small, unpolished Carnival — the kind of village celebration that still belongs entirely to local people.

Events: Classic Cars Algarve

A rally of vintage cars from Vilamoura to Faro's old town, every July.

Events: FolkFaro

Every August, Faro hosts FolkFaro, the Algarve's largest folklore festival, bringing together international dance and music groups to celebrate cultural heritage.

Faro Farmers Market at Largo do Carmo, a Sunday Tradition

The Sunday farmer’s market at Largo do Carmo in Faro is a local tradition with fresh produce, Algarve flavors, and the historic Carmo church.
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Events Calendar

February
Carnival in Bordeira; in some years it can be in March. Dates vary.
May
2nd – Festa da Pinha, Estoi
June
29th Saint Peter’s Day – Dia de São Pedro
July
Late July – Algarve Classic Cars
August
Last week – Folkfaro

eat and drink

Super Pinto

A very genuine and affordable place to try Portuguese food while observing the locals.

Green Buddha

Little Budha is a very advisable quality Asian restaurant in the center of Faro offering a lot for not a lot of money.

Café Aliança

A century-old café in Faro that has closed, reopened, closed, and again reopened — and once, briefly, dared to broadcast the BBC to a city under dictatorship.

Lab Terrace

Lab Terrace is our favorite venue for a relaxing end of afternoon and a nice sunset. It's a quiet place across the marina, five minutes walking from us.

Mercearia de São Pedro

This is a genuine and truly local place, created as a gathering place for friends by the owners, Paulo and Isabel. It's relatively off...
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Old Charming House

Accomodation Ricardo -
Our guest house. Two bedrooms in one sector plus two other bedrooms or an apartment in another sector. Located in the center of Faro, it's a 19th century house renovated in 2018.

Traditional House

Accomodation Ricardo -
Traditional one bedroom house from the early 20th century located in the center of Faro. Fully renovated in July 2019. Centrally located, just 200 m from the main pedestrian street.

Villa on the Hills

Accomodation Ricardo -
A fine villa on the hills, about 12 km north of Faro, not far from a picturesque village. It features three bedrooms, a private pool and one of the best views in Algarve.

Then and Now

Rua Filipe Alistão

Rua Filipe Alistão in the early 20th century and now.

Lethes Theater

Before and then images of Lethes Theater, one of Portugal’s oldest theatres, it is a beautifully preserved 19th-century venue housed in a former Jesuit college.

Practical Planning Essentials

To get the most out of visiting Faro, plan to spend at least 2 to 3 days here. The city is highly walkable, making it the perfect base to explore the eastern Algarve via the local train network.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is it worth visiting Faro, Portugal? Yes, Faro is absolutely worth visiting for its authentic atmosphere, historic architecture, and affordable local dining.
  • How many days do you need in Faro? You need 2 to 3 days to fully explore the historic Old Town, tour the Ria Formosa, and take a ferry trip to the nearby barrier islands.