Top things to do in Faro
Attractions, tours and activities in Faro
Faro: the city's best neighbourhoods
Find a great area to stay in Faro
About Faro
Including tips for the best time to visit Faro
As the sun-soaked capital of Portugal’s Algarve region, Faro is a popular holiday destination for those in search of pristine beaches and al fresco dining. The coastal city is also filled with ancient architecture comprising medieval walls, Roman ruins and a chapel made of bones.
Faro’s coastal setting and abundance of sunshine make it perfect for outdoor activities like dolphin-spotting cruises, touring the nearby Ria Formosa Natural Park or strolling around the Cidade Velha (old town). There’s also some great nightlife to explore, such as barhopping along Rua Conselheiro Bivar – Faro’s liveliest street. If you simply want to lay on the beach all day, head for the soft golden sands of Praia de Faro.
The food in Faro is a combination of regional Algarve offerings and national favourites such as bacalhau (dried and salted cod). As fresh fish is a staple in the Algarve, it’s worth trying the local fishermen’s stew known as caldeirada, usually consisting of whitefish and locally caught shellfish like clams and mussels. For a sweet treat, you can’t beat a traditional pastel de nata – custard tarts dusted with cinnamon.
If you stroll through Faro’s old town, you’ll be transported back in time as you explore the cobblestone streets filled with Portuguese, Iberian and Western Islamic architecture dating back to the 18th century. Go back even further with a visit to Sé Catedral de Faro, a Roman Catholic church built in the late 13th century.
Tonight
From per night
Next weekend
From £511 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October–December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January–March |
| Local currency | € 10 = £8.58 |
| Language | Portuguese |
| Average weekend price | £62 per night |
| Average weekday price | £61 per night |
| Typical stay | 1 night |
Points of interest in Faro
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Faro
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Desert Island
2.5 miles from city centre
Faro reviews
What other travellers say about Faro
A working, everyday town with some interesting buildings,...
30 April 2024
A working, everyday town with some interesting buildings, modest tourist offering, friendly people and good transport facilities. Felt safe at night on every visit (even the ever-present drug sellers were polite!) Worth a nose if you're passing through.
Loved Faro for it’s warm and friendly people, great weather,...
27 April 2024
Loved Faro for it’s warm and friendly people, great weather, fabulous food, fine shops and charming neighbouring towns easily accessed by train. We were particularly taken by Taveira which is a must visit. We would return to the Faro area again and again
Beautiful sleepy little historical fishing town.
26 April 2024
Beautiful sleepy little historical fishing town. Excellent for a quiet few days in the warm sun, wandering around its quaint narrow streets, enjoying shops, cafes and restaurants. Great beaches all nearby. Also less than half an hours' bus ride to the largest shopping centre/outlet village in the south of Portugal (Mar Shopping Centre), so there's something for everyone.
It's a lived-in, working city and doesn't pretend to...
17 April 2024
It's a lived-in, working city and doesn't pretend to put tourists at the forefront. However, tourists are well-catered for and I've spent a few happy days wandering the town on several occasions. Just wear sturdy shoes and have a little torch handy as the pavements/kerbs are no fun!
Lovely parts of this city near Marina, and while there seems...
12 April 2024
Lovely parts of this city near Marina, and while there seems to be lots of regeneration the city is quite run down in parts and a huge amount of graffiti. Lovely shopping streets and cafes, and a trip to both the Mar and Forum Algarve shopping centres a great way to spend a few hours. Nice restaurants in marina area and small parks. Well worth a visit but two days here is plenty.
Great for just strolling - some of the back streets are...
27 March 2024
Great for just strolling - some of the back streets are magical. People very friendly and very proud of their city. Take the ferry to Cacilhas and try one of the fish restaurants in the main village there. Go to tourist information and you may want to go further. In Faro we ate at 8 Tapas, the Tavern, and Velha Casa - just what we wanted with delightful staff. Octopus at the Tavern with two crazy waiters was superb.
Popular places to stay in Faro
Stay in some of the best accommodation Faro has to offer
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Cosy Avenida Apartment Faro City Centre, Faro
From £132 per night
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Monte Borboleta Faro, Portugal
From £125 per night
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7 Styles Apartments by Raspberry Cascade Faro City Centre, Faro
From £142 per night
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Yellow Barqueta Studio Faro City Centre, Faro
From £92 per night
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A Casa D'Amelie Faro City Centre, Faro
From £127 per night
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Other accommodation in Faro
Choose from a wide variety of places to stay in Faro
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Apartments
From £21 per night
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Villas
From £84 per night
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Cottages
From £15 per night
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Serviced Apartments
From £62 per night
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Holiday Homes
From £15 per night
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Guest Houses
From £10 per night
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Hostels
From £6 per night
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B&Bs
From £30 per night
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Homestays
From £24 per night
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Boats
From per night
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Self Catering Accommodation
From £15 per night
