Discover Faro, the vibrant capital of the Algarve, where history meets modern charm. Stroll the cobblestone streets of the Old Town, relax on pristine beaches and enjoy local cuisine. Nature lovers can explore the Ria Formosa Natural Park, a paradise for birdwatchers and admirers of tranquil landscapes. Throughout the year, Faro is bustling with numerous free events and concerts. It’s a place that quietly wins your heart. In my guide you’ll learn about Faro’s most interesting attractions and hidden gems.
In this article you will find:
The most important monuments and places of cultural interest in Faro
Faro’s most beautiful beaches and natural attractions
Recommended hotels, restaurants and tours
Practical tips for traveling to Faro
General Information about Faro
Faro is the charming capital of the Algarve region, located in southern Portugal on the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of about 60,000, the city combines the atmosphere of a typical Portuguese town with important administrative and tourist functions. As the center of the region, Faro is an excellent base from which to explore the Algarve – whether by car or public transportation.
✈️ Faro International Airport (Aeroporto de Faro)
Faro has its own international airport – Faro Airport (FAO) – which operates direct flights from most major European cities, including Poland (Warsaw, Krakow, Katowice, Gdansk, Wroclaw – depending on the season). The airport is located just approx. 6 km from the city center , and the transfer takes about 10-15 minutes.
Downtown Faro is easily accessible from the airport:
By city bus (lines 16 and 14) – the stop is right next to the terminal,
By cab or Uber/Bolt – the cost of the ride is about €10-15,
by rental car – the airport offers many car rental companies, making Faro an ideal starting point for exploring the Algarve. If you want to rent a car then take a look here >>.
More about public transportation in the Algarve you can read here >>.
🧭 Location and climate
Faro is located near the Ria Formosa Natural Park, one of Portugal’s most important nature reserves. The city has a mild Mediterranean climate, with more than 300 days of sunshine a year. Summers are dry and hot, and winters are mild – so Faro can be visited virtually all year round.
What to see in Faro
Faro is a small city where all the main attractions are within walking distance. Below you’ll find the highlights to see in Faro and in the video below, you’ll see the city and the main attractions from a bird’s eye view.
Old Town (Cidade Velha)
Faro boasts a beautiful, historic Old Town with many restaurants and cafes. A great starting point for exploring this part of town is the Jardim Manuel Bivar garden, located right next to the marina.
Tip: go there early in the morning or just before sunset – that’s when you’ll avoid the crowds and catch the best light for photos, especially around Arco da Vila and Largo da Sé.
Arco da Vila
From the Jardim Manuel Bivar garden, walk through the city’s Arco da Vila gate. The gate was rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake. Note the statue of St. Thomas Aquinas , Faro’s patron saint, placed above the gate. To the left of the gate is the tourist information office.
Tip: look up – you can often spot storks’ nests on the roof. These birds are a common sight in Faro and make a unique motif for photos with the historic gate in the background.
Largo da Sé square
Go through the Arco da Vila. After about 100 meters you will reach Largo da Sé, the main square of the Old Town. In the square you will find a statue of Dom Francisco Gomes do Avelar, the 18th and early 19th century bishop of Faro.
Tip: sit down for a coffee at one of the cafes around the square and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere while admiring the Dom Francisco Gomes do Avelar monument.
City Hall
The town hall is also located near the main square. This building was erected in the 19th century.
Tip: take a photo from the front steps just before sunset – this 19th century building looks especially beautiful in the golden hour.
Faro Cathedral (Sé de Faro / Igreja da Sé)
Faro Cathedral was built in the 13th century and is one of the city’s most important monuments. It is worth climbing the tower (68 stairs) for a panoramic view of the Ria Formosa.
Tip: go to the tower before sunset – the views are unforgettable!
The interior of the cathedral is extremely rich and worth seeing. Admission costs about €3.50.
Porta Nova
On the southwest side of Largo da Sé is the 15th-century Porta Nova, a small gateway connecting the Old Town to the waterfront. Through it is a view of Faro’s lagoons and sandy islets.
Monument to King Afonso III
In Praça Afonso III Square is a statue of King Afonso III, who recaptured Faro from the Moors in 1249 and annexed the Algarve to Portugal.
Our tip: read the information board at the monument – you will learn the interesting history of the Christian conquest of the region.
Museu Municipal de Faro (Archaeological Museum)
The Museu Municipal de Faro museum is located in the former Nossa Senhora da Assunção monastery from the early 16th century. In the museum you’ll see Roman mosaics from Ossonoba, statues from the Milreu excavations and beautiful azulejos from the 16th century. Admission costs approx. 2 €.
Our tip: be sure to see the Roman mosaic in the courtyard – it’s one of the museum’s best-preserved attractions.
Marina and wharf
Just outside the center of Faro is the marina, an ideal place for an evening stroll. Here you’ll find bars and restaurants, as well as a marina from which boats depart for Ria Formosa and nearby islands.
Tip: go here after dark – the reflections of the boat in the calm water create a magical atmosphere.
Nearby you will also find the famous FARO sign, perfect for a souvenir photo.
Carmo Church and Chapel of the Bones (Igreja do Carmo & Capela dos Ossos)
One of the most intriguing and also most visited places in Faro is the Baroque Carmo Church (Igreja do Carmo), located a few minutes’ walk from the city center. This temple impresses not only with its architecture, but also with a mysterious and somewhat dark attraction – the Chapel of Bones (Capela dos Ossos).
History and architecture
Construction of the church began in 1719, but work on the façade and interior was interrupted by a tragic earthquake in 1755. Finally, the reconstruction was not completed until 1878. The church represents the rich Baroque style characteristic of Portuguese sacred architecture from the 18th century. The interior is filled with gilded wood carvings (known as talha dourada), ornate altars and richly decorated side chapels.
Capela dos Ossos – a chapel made of human bones
The most famous part of the church is the small but extremely impressive Chapel of Bones, located at the rear of the building. Its walls and vault are covered with the skulls and bones of some 1,200 monks who belonged to the Carmelite order. Similar chapels can be seen in Évora, among other places, but the one in Faro has a particularly intimate and reflective character.
On the entrance to the chapel is an inscription (in Portuguese):
“Pára aqui a considerar que a este estado hás-de chegar.”
meaning:
“Stop and think that you too will one day reach this state.”
This place makes you reflect on the passing of time, but does not deter you – on the contrary, it attracts you with its spiritual atmosphere and authenticity.
Practical information:
Opening hours: usually Monday through Saturday, around 10:00-13:00 and 14:00-17:00 (it is worth checking the current hours before visiting)
Ticket price: 2 €
Tour time: about 20-30 minutes
Location: Largo do Carmo, Faro (about 5 minutes walk from the center).
Our Tip:
The best time to visit the church is in the morning, when the light coming through the windows highlights the details of the gilded carvings. The Bone Chapel is small, so you will avoid the crowds early in the morning and be able to feel the unique atmosphere of the place in silence.
Beaches of Faro
Although Faro is mainly associated with the airport and the beautiful old town, it also has great beaches to offer, which are still less crowded than those in the popular Algarve resorts. It’s the perfect place if you’re looking for relaxation, contact with nature and wide, sandy expanses.
Praia de Faro - the city's most popular beach
Praia de Far o is the main beach in Faro, located on the island-barrier Ilha de Faro, which separates the Ria Formosa lagoon from the Atlantic Ocean. It is a kilometer-long beach with fine golden sand, restaurants, bars and good tourist infrastructure.
How to get to Praia de Faro?
By car: about 15 minutes drive from the center of Faro (there is a parking lot, but it fills up quickly in summer).
By bus: line 16 (the same line that connects the airport to the center).
By boat: from Porta Nova Pier you can take a boat across the lagoon (about 20-30 minutes).
For whom?
The beach is ideal for families with children as well as surfers or walkers. The sea here tends to be calm, although there are days with better waves – especially attractive to novice surfers.
Our tip: take a walk toward the less-traveled parts of the beach – the farther away from the entrance, the more tranquility and wildlife.
Ria Formosa lagoon islands
Faro is surrounded by the Ria Formosa Nature Park, and there are three other islands with absolutely paradisiacal beaches:
Ilha Deserta (Barreta) – desert silence
This is the most isolated and pristine beach in the area. There are no roads on the island, and the only restaurant is the organic Estaminé. A great place to get away from the crowds.
Access: only by boat from Faro (Porta Nova Pier).
Ideal for: silence, relaxation, contact with nature.
Ilha do Farol – lighthouse and colorful houses
There is a lighthouse here (Farol do Cabo de Santa Maria), colorful fishermen’s houses and a very well-kept beach. A place with a little more life than Ilha Deserta, but still peaceful.
Getting there: by boat from Faro.
Ideal for: A quiet day with family, photos and light trekking.
Ilha da Culatra – local climate and delicious seafood
Inhabited by fishermen, Culatra combines beachcombing with authentic Portuguese flair. At local restaurants you’ll eat fresh mussels, oysters and fish straight from the ocean.
Getting there: by ferry from Faro or Olhão.
Ideal for: a day trip with swimming and seafood lunch.
Useful tips:
Take sunscreen with you – the sun in the Algarve can be very intense, even in spring or autumn.
A bottle of water and a headgear are a must, especially if you are planning a trip to one of the islands.
Check the boat schedule – they run seasonally and often only a few times a day.
Best restaurants in Faro
You’ll find many restaurants in Faro, and it won’t be hard to find a good place at an affordable price. Many establishments serve Portuguese cuisine, but other options are also available, from international to vegetarian cuisine. Below are our favorite restaurants in Faro.
Local Portuguese cuisine
Tasca do Ricky
This is a traditional Portuguese restaurant offering delicious food and good service. The restaurant is quite small, so it is advisable to book a table in advance.
Peixe Assado Moinhos do Grelha
This Portuguese restaurant serves freshly grilled fish with amazing quality. There is no classic menu here – it works on the “eat as much as you want” principle of freshly grilled fish. Extras such as tomato salad, potatoes, bread and olives are included in the price. Great value for money – it’s not expensive, and the place is very popular with locals.
Fine dining – exquisite restaurants in Faro
Ptit Bistro Republique
This is an exquisite French restaurant offering the highest quality fresh ingredients and perfectly executed dishes. The French chef will make sure that this dinner will be memorable for a long time. This is one of the most exclusive restaurants in Faro, located near the marina.
Ria Formosa Restaurant
This restaurant is located on the roof of the Faro Hotel, overlooking the marina. It serves excellent food and offers exceptional service. If you are dreaming of a delicious dinner with a beautiful view of the ocean and sunset, this is the perfect place for you.
My’oMeu – Where Poland meets Italy
Interestingly, there is a Polish restaurant in Faro. My’oMeu is a cozy establishment located near Faro’s train station, where flavors of Polish and Italian cuisine are served. The restaurant’s specialties are handmade pierogi and fresh pasta, prepared with passion and attention to detail. Guests praise the homemade sourdough bread and the friendly atmosphere that makes them feel at home.
Excursions from Faro - discover the Algarve and Ria Formosa
Faro is a great base for day trips. Thanks to its convenient location and extensive transportation, you can reach the most beautiful corners of the Algarve in a short time, visit nearby islands or take a cruise on the Ria Formosa lagoon. Here are the most interesting suggestions:
Cruise on Ria Formosa - a paradise for nature lovers
The Ria Formosa Natural Park is one of the Algarve’s greatest treasures – a network of lagoons, canals and islands that are home to dozens of species of birds, fish and mollusks.
What you will see: flamingos, herons, traditional oyster farms, beautiful beaches.
How to sail: cruises start from the marina at Faro Marina (Porta Nova Pier).
Types of excursions: motor boats, kayaks, solar boats, nature guide boats.
Price: from about €25-40 per person (depending on the length and type of cruise).
You can search for tours on the portal Getyourguide, where you will book any activity quickly, online >>.
Cruise to Benagil Cave
One of the Algarve’s most popular attractions is Benagil Cave (Algar de Benagil) – a spectacular rock formation with a natural “window” in the vault, through which sunlight streams in, creating a fairy-tale atmosphere. It can only be reached from the sea – and that’s why a cruise to Benagil is a must for any trip!
Although the Benagil cave is closer to towns such as Portimão, Carvoeiro and Albufeira, it is possible to arrange a trip from Faro. Check out the options available at Getyourguide or click on the tours below.
Cruise to Benagil from Portimão with Polish option
If you’re in the Algarve and dream of seeing the famous Benagil cave, treat yourself to an an unforgettable cruise from Portimão, which you can book directly with me.
In addition, the option is available for me to join the cruise as an interpreter. During the cruise I tell you not only what you see but generally about life in Portugal, local trivia and my recommendations. The full description of the cruise along with the booking form can be found here >>.
