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Municipality in Algarve, Portugal
Photo: Bbb0777, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Capela dos Ossos (inside Igreja do Carmo)
This chapel is almost completely made of bones taken from a former monk graveyard.
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.
Sé
The view from the tower over the old town and the Rio Formosa is a highlight.
Ruínas Romanas de Milreu
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Despite being identified as "tapas" the servings are generous. Good variety of dishes.
Simple pleasant cuisine right next to the bus station.
Tapas restaurant with a good atmosphore and nice outdoor seating.
Hidden spot with good homemade food, generous portions and a family vibe.
Authentic local cuisine with a friendly and passionate owner.
An Asian restaurant that offers a wide variety of fresh sushi. Very friendly owners and employees.
Indian food. Friendly staff.
The fried calamari of this local cuisine are nice. The service is very gracious.
Very good fish and octopus cataplana.
Portuguese tapas. Very vegetarian friendly. Good wine selection.
Typical Algarvian restaurant serving regional cuisine at average prices. They do not accept credit cards.
International cuisine. They accept credit cards.
In a wonderful building. The decor has a traditional style.
Looks like a pub from northern Europe. Busy and lively restaurant with smoking and non smoking areas. Reasonably priced.
Original recipes.
Rooftop restaurant with a very upscale ambience.
Nice music in the background. Nice ambience. Every dish is explained as it's served.
Decorated with many photos of Che Guevara and attracts a 20s-30s crowd with reasonably priced drinks. They do karaoke on some nights also.
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.
4-star hotel overlooking the harbour and the Cidade Velha. From about €110/170 low/high for double.
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.
Hotel Mónaco is the nearest hotel to Faro airport, Algarve University and Algarve Stadium.
A cheap guesthouse in Faro. They offer dorms for 12 and 16 people.
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.
Mercado Municipal de Faro
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.
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.
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.
By bus
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.
By car
Car hire is an option for visitors.
By boat
By bus
Regional buses are run by the Vamus Algarve that connects Faro with other cities in Algarve.
By e-hailing
By train
Faro lies on the Algarve rail line connecting Lagos to V. Real St.
By car
It can be difficult to find a parking slot in the center. Most of the parking stations near the restaurants and shopping malls are payable.
By boat
Regular ferries run to four destinations:
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Faro · International · FAO
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