Faro

Understand

Faro (FAH-roo, /ˈfa.ɾu/) is the southernmost city in mainland Portugal. During summer, Faro is a popular destination for sun-seekers from northern Europe and the UK, especially due to the presence of its international airport. It also enjoys a reputation as being more friendly than many other parts of the region. Outside of summer, the beach-goers are mostly gone, but it is still a base to explore the more remote areas of the Algarve, a convenient stop between Lisbon and Seville (or Spain in general), and what it loses in partying outside summer, it gains in peacefulness, reverting to a quaint and charming small city.

Getting there

By plane

1 Faro Airport (FAO IATA). This small airport is the principal route into the Algarve, with budget flights from across Europe and especially the UK and Ireland; Air Transat fly from Toronto. TAP fly from Porto and Lisbon, the latter is only worth taking to connect off a long-distance flight. The airport has the usual facilities including car hire and cafes. Local buses 14 and 16 run every 30 min from downtown and continue out to Praia de Faro beach. (updated Feb 2025) You could also fly into Lisbon (LIS IATA) or Seville (SVQ IATA).

By train

Five trains a day run from Lisbon Oriente, taking 3 hours via Pragal, Pinhal Novo, Grandola, Funcheira, Santa Clara-Saboia, Messines Alte, Tunes, Albufeira and Loulé. Six trains a day from Lagos take 1 hr 45 min via Portimão, Estombar (for Lagoa), Silves, Tunes, Albufeira and Loulé. Trains run roughly hourly from Vila Real de Santo António on the Spanish border, taking 70 min via Tavira. 2 Estação de Faro is the railway station, 500 m northwest of town centre. It has a ticket office, waiting area and cafe. You can store luggage in the tourist agency on Platform 1.

By bus

3 Faro bus station (Terminal Rodoviario Urbano) (at the edge of the city centre). There is a daily bus service from Lisbon and Porto in the north of Portugal, and from Madrid and Seville in Spain. A fare from Lisbon to Faro costs either €18 (for an "Expresso" connection takes about 4 hours, stopping in Albufeira, Vilamoura and Quarteira) or €19 (for a "Expresso Qualidade" direct connection which takes just over 3 hours and includes a movie projection, a stewardess, and a mini-bar service) and can easily be bought at the bus station just before boarding. This bus station in Lisbon is next to a subway stop called Jardim Zoológico. (updated Sep 2017) 4 Flixbus bus stop, Av. Eng. Joaquim L. Belchior. Flixbus stops in the south of the city. (updated Apr 2024) For buses from and to local nearby towns and cities, check out the list of lines and their timetables at the Algarve transport company Vamus Algarve page.

Getting around

On foot

Downtown is small and close to the public transport options: the train and main bus stations being within 250 m of one another few hundred metres from the city centre. Walking is very viable for most visitors.

By bus

Regional buses are run by the Vamus Algarve that connects Faro with other cities in Algarve. Local buses are run by the Proximo company. Buses 14 and 16 go around the city, to the airport and to the beach of Faro. Tickets can be bought from the driver for €2.70 (Jan 2024).

By e-hailing

Bolt and Uber cover the town.

See

1 Bone Chapel (Capela dos Ossos (inside Igreja do Carmo)) (within Igreja do Carmo church). This chapel is almost completely made of bones taken from a former monk graveyard. €2.

2 Old town (Centro Historico). A well-preserved section of town off the harbour with cobblestone streets and 18th century Portuguese and Moorish-influenced architecture. It is a great place for a peaceful and almost private walk back in time in an area that has been virtually untouched by modernity. 3 Cathedral (Sé) (within the old town). The view from the tower over the old town and the Rio Formosa is a highlight. €5.00. (updated Mar 2024) 4 Roman Ruins of Milreu (Ruínas Romanas de Milreu) (in Estoi, near Faro). A luxurious Roman villa that evolved into a Christian basilica by the 4th century. Notable features include well-preserved mosaic floors with marine motifs, remnants of thermal baths, a temple, and agricultural installations, offering insights into Roman life in the region (updated May 2025) 5 Estoi Palace (in the village of Estoi, approximately 10 km north of Faro). Renowned for its blend of architectural styles, including Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassical, and Romantic elements. The palace was constructed in the 19th century, and was completed in 1909 under the ownership of José Francisco da Silva, who was later titled Viscount of Estoi by King Carlos I. Today, the palace operates as a luxury hotel. (updated May 2025)

Do

1 Ria Formosa National Park. In Faro and Olhão you can take a boat trip, birdwatching tours, kayaking or other eco tours and other activities to discover the nature and wildlife of this natural park. Several companies offer packages and tours. Ask at the tourist information or at your accommodation. (updated Oct 2020) 2 Faro beach (Praia de Faro). This beach is several kilometres long and so normally never gets crowded, even in the height of summer. Most of the beach is gently sloping though it can take a sudden dip in places. There are the usual beach-side stalls and a public lavatory, but no showers. Praia de Faro is just past the airport, the airport bus stops there. A lot of people with early check-outs and late flights seem to go there on their last day. (updated Sep 2017) Faro Jewish Heritage Centre, Rua Leao Penedo (in front of Faro Hospital), ☏ +351 289829525. 09:30-12:30 and 14:00-17:00. Established in 1851, the Faro Jewish Cemetery is the only remaining vestige of the first post-Inquisition Jewish presence in Portugal. It served as a burial place for a thriving 60 family community (also known as "Little Jerusalem"). The Jews of Portugal were expelled by the Inquisition at the end of the 15th century and settled in Gibraltar and North Africa. After the devastating 1755 Lisbon Earthquake, their descendants were invited by the Marquis of Pombal to help rebuild the economy. Although the community is long gone, the cemetery remains to remind citizens and travellers of its former glory. The Faro Jewish Heritage Centre features over one hundred graves in Sephardi style, with beautifully engraved slabs instead of headstones. Although the land was purchased by the Jewish community in 1851, the first burial, that of Rabbi Toledano, dates back to 1838. Apart from the Cemetery, there is also a museum, housing many objects linked to the history of the Jews of Faro, like the furniture from one of the two former synagogues of Faro or the facsimile copy of Gacon's 1478 Pentateuch in Hebrew, the first book ever printed in Portugal! Free. Football: SC Farense. The "Lions of Faro" were relegated in 2025 and now play soccer in Liga 2, the second tier. Their home ground Estádio de São Luís (capacity 7000) is 1 km northeast of city centre. (updated Jun 2025)

Shopping

You can buy groceries in the many minimarkets in town. Somewhat more products you find in supermarkets Algartalhos and Minipreço in the city centre and at Pingo Doce at Tridente. The large supermarkets in Faro are Auchan and Continente.

1 Faro Municipal Market (Mercado Municipal de Faro), Largo Doutor Francisco Sá Carneiro. Stalls M-Sa 07:00-15:00, supermarket daily 08:00-20:30. Mid-size farmers' market with the usual local fare and a rather wide selection. A supermarket in an underground floor and a few restaurants and cafès in the same building. (updated Nov 2023) 2 Forum Algarve, N125 km 103 (2 km from downtown), ☏ +351 289 889 300, geral@forumalgarve.net. Stores daily 10:00 - 23:00, hypermarket daily 08:00 - 23:00. A shopping mall built around a large couryard with a fountain; business-wise it has about 100 stores, hypermarket, a 5-screen multiplex cinema, a food court, and convenience services. (updated Nov 2023)

Eat

Budget

The restaurant of the supermarket Pingo Doce at Tridente has very affordable meals for lunch and dinner.

1 Restaurante Travessa, R. de Santo Antonio 58. Despite being identified as "tapas" the servings are generous. Good variety of dishes. €11 for the menu of the day. (updated Apr 2024) 2 Snackbar El Sombrero, Av. da República 138. Simple pleasant cuisine right next to the bus station. €5-15. (updated Jan 2024) 3 100 Montaditos Faro, R. Ivens 16. Tapas restaurant with a good atmosphore and nice outdoor seating. (updated Apr 2024) 4 Restaurante Sal e Pimenta, R. do Montepio 9a. Hidden spot with good homemade food, generous portions and a family vibe. €5-10. (updated Apr 2024) 5 Miminhos Caseiros, 457, Tv. Castilho 6. Authentic local cuisine with a friendly and passionate owner. €10-15. (updated Apr 2024) 6 Chalet restaurante, R. 1 de Maio 21. An Asian restaurant that offers a wide variety of fresh sushi. Very friendly owners and employees. (updated Apr 2024) 7 Namastey, Rua primeiro de Maio 13. Indian food. Friendly staff. €10-20. (updated Apr 2024)

Mid-range

8 Tasquinha Cruzeiro, Largo da Madalena 12. The fried calamari of this local cuisine are nice. The service is very gracious. €15-25. (updated Apr 2024) 9 Modesto Tavern, R. do Castelo 2. Very good fish and octopus cataplana. €15-25. (updated Apr 2024) 10 A Venda, R. do Compromisso 60. Portuguese tapas. Very vegetarian friendly. Good wine selection. €15-25. (updated Apr 2024) 11 Restaurante Taska - Comeres Algarvios, Rua do Alportel 38, ☏ +351 289 824 739. 12:00–15:00 & 19:00–23:00 daily. Typical Algarvian restaurant serving regional cuisine at average prices. They do not accept credit cards. (updated May 2022) 12 2 Irmãos, Praça Ferreira de Almeida 15 (in an old small corner house in the square opposite the Cathedral), ☏ +351 289 823 337, info@restaurantedoisirmaos.com. 10:00–22:30 daily. International cuisine. They accept credit cards. (updated May 2022) 13 Le Marquis, Sítio de Gorjões – Monte da Palhagueira, Santa Bárba de Nexe, ☏ +351 916 076 540, info@lemarquis-algarve.com. W–Sa 12:00–15:00 & 19:00–22:00, Su 12:00–15:00, closed M. In a wonderful building. The decor has a traditional style. (updated May 2022) 14 Adega Nova, Rua Francisco Barreto 24, ☏ +351 289 813 433. 11:30–23:00 daily. Looks like a pub from northern Europe. Busy and lively restaurant with smoking and non smoking areas. Reasonably priced. (updated May 2022)

Drink

1 Bar CheSsenta, Rua do Prior 24 (this is the main bar and cafe street in Faro), ☏ +351 931 194 314. M–Th 16:00–04:00, F–Su 21:00–04:00. Decorated with many photos of Che Guevara and attracts a 20s-30s crowd with reasonably priced drinks. They do karaoke on some nights also. (updated Apr 2021)

Sleep

Faro has a thriving trade in both package deal hotels and short-term apartment rental. If that fails, locals have become very comfortable renting out every scrap of space in their homes to desperate travellers. Book months in advance for the high season, many places are closed during the low season.

1 Hostel Casa d'Alagoa, Praça Alexandre Herculano 27 (old town), ☏ +351 289 813 252, booking@casadalagoa.com. First hostel in Faro. The only deserted beach during the summer in the Algarve is 30 min away by boat from Faro. 24-hour reception, BBQ area, breakfast, common room, Internet access, guest kitchen, linen included, luggage storage, outdoor terraced area and bike rental. 2 Eva Senses Hotel, Avenida da República 1, ☏ +351 289 540 154, book.eva@ap-hotelsresorts.com. 4-star hotel overlooking the harbour and the Cidade Velha. From about €110/170 low/high for double. (updated Nov 2023) 3 Hotel Faro & Beach Club, Praça D. Francisco Gomes 2 (next to harbour), ☏ +351 289 830 830, fax: +351 289830829, reservas@hotelfaro.pt. Check-out: 12:00. 4-star hotel with a pool, bar, and restaurant at the rooftop, and with a basic sauna and gym. The restaurant and the bar accessible for non-guests. Breakfast sub-par for the price level but with views of the lagoon over marina. From about €95/170 low/high for double. (updated Nov 2023) 4 Ibis Faro Algarve Hotel, Rua Poeta Antonio Aleixo 204, ☏ +351 289 893 800, h1593@accor.com. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 12:00. 5 Hotel Mónaco, Rua João Baptista Severino Urb. Monte da Ria - Montenegro 8005-237, ☏ +351 289 895 060, hotelmonaco@hotelmonaco.pt. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Hotel Mónaco is the nearest hotel to Faro airport, Algarve University and Algarve Stadium. Low/High: €45/55 single, €52/70 double or twin. 6 Faro Lounge Guesthouse, Avenida da Republica 72, São Pedro, ☏ +351 289 108 203. A cheap guesthouse in Faro. They offer dorms for 12 and 16 people. 7 Hostel 33, Rua Miguel Bombarda 33, ☏ +351 96 972 13 60, info@hostelfaro.pt. Hostel 33 is in a building in the old town area of Faro, offering accommodation in 4-, 6- and 8-bed mixed dorms; also, twin rooms available, each with a private bathroom and balcony, 24-hr open reception desk, Full Wi-Fi coverage, guest kitchen, outdoor terraced area.

Stay safe

Faro and the Algarve region are reasonably safe year round. Pickpockets are not unheard-of, however, especially near beaches at night, so be on your guard. Not unlike other Mediterranean tourism hot spots like Alicante or Mallorca, Faro attracts its share of poorly-mannered tourists (especially from the UK, the Netherlands, and Germany) that go to Faro to drink and let loose. Though the police does a great job at maintaining order, do be careful at night.

Go next

Seville - via bus Serra de Monchique Lagos Silves Quinta do Lago — a golf resort 17 km away Tavira Sagres

More pictures of Faro

From this destination's category on Wikimedia Commons. Each photograph is credited to its own author under its own licence.