Faro

One of the many streets of Faro's small but charming downtown.

For the island in Sweden, see Fårö.

Faro is a city in the Algarve region of Portugal.

Understand

Faro 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.

Get in

By plane

• 🌍 Faro Airport (FAO  ^IATA Aeroporto Internacional de Faro). Many package tour and discount airlines arrive from the UK and Ireland, mainland Europe and Canada. There is a large group of Car hire agencies if you turn right after the main exit. From the airport, there is a possibility to go to the city by buses 14 or 16 operated by Proximo, departing roughly every hour. The price is €2.25. (updated Sep 2017)

By train

• 🌍 Faro train station (Estação de Faro). Train station is a small building, which contains ticket office, small waiting area and kiosk. There are no luggage lockers inside the train station, but it is possible to store your luggage in tourism agency on 1st platform. The Alfa Pendular - a high-speed train, runs at least twice a day to and from Lisbon. About 2,5 hours, €20 one way, €25 on first class. The Inter City trains run more frequently but take a little longer, with more stops - about 3.5 to 4 hours. There are also regional trains along the Algarve coast to Lagos. (updated Sep 2017)

By bus

• 🌍 Faro bus station (Terminal Rodoviario Urbano). There is a daily bus service to and from Lisbon and Porto in the north of Portugal, as well as to 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)

By car

Car hire is an option for visitors. You can arrange car hire at the airport, however, as with many tourist locations it is wise to arrange your vehicle hire prior to arrival - this can save both money (the airport car rental desks can be far more expensive) and disappointment as availability during peak season may be very limited. Organising it from home before you arrive is now a very simple process with numerous companies specialising in pre-booking car hire in Faro.

Roads can be quite busy, but if you want to see a bit more of the city and indeed the Algarve region then driving by car is an easy option. Driving in the Algarve region is far easier than in the rest of Portugal, there are more non-toll roads and road-signs are plentiful and relevant.

By boat

Main harbours: Portimao, Faro.

Get around

By bus

Urban buses are run by the Eva company, that also connect Faro with other cities in Algarve and Andalusia.

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 2,25 euro.

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. However, there is a free car park located along side the bus station which is close to the Hotel Faro and a huge free car park located behind the old town heading in the direction of Olhao.

On foot

Downtown is small - and transport convenient: The train and main bus station being within 150m of one another. Walking is very viable for most visitors.

See

Part of the ceiling of The Bone Chapel.

• 🌍 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 EUR. 
• 🌍 Old town (Centro Historico). A well-preserved section of town off the harbor with cobblestone streets and 18th century Portuguese and Moorish-influenced architecture. It is great place for a peaceful and almost private walk back in time in an area that has been virtually untouched by modernity. 
• 🌍 Cathedral (Se). Within the old town, the view from the tower over the old town and the Rio Formosa is a highlight. €3.50. 

Do

• Ria Formosa: In Faro and Olhão you have the possibility to enjoy and make the most of Ria Formosa through a boat trip, or other eco tours and other activities to discover the nature and wildlife of this Natural Park:
• Formosamar, (Doca de Recreio de Faro) Avenida da República- Stand 1, 8000-078, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Open every day throughout the year, starting at 09:00 AM. Formosamar is an ecotourism company in the Algarve that organizes several boat trips and ecotourism activities in the Ria Formosa Natural Park. There are several options to choose from, including birdwatching tours on traditional boats and boat trips to the Deserta Island and the Farol Island on a catamaran. Bike tours or bike rentals are also available. (updated Nov 2016)
• Lands - Turismo na Natureza, (Doca de Recreio de Faro) Edifício Ginásio Clube Naval – Piso 0, 8000-541, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Open every day throughout the year, starting at 09:00 AM. Nature-based tours and activities (kayaking, eco-friendly solar boat trips, birdwatching or walking) in Ria Formosa and the Algarve. (updated Nov 2016)
• Natura Algarve, (Doca de Recreio de Faro) Avenida da República- Stand 2, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Open every day throughout the year from 09:00 to 20:00. Natura Algarve is an ecotourism company in the Algarve that organizes boat trips, birdwatching and other ecotourism activities in the Ria Formosa Nature Park, which are available all year with several daily departures from the towns of Olhão and Faro. (updated Nov 2016)
• 🌍 Faro beach (Praia de Faro). This beach is several kilometers 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), ☎ [phone]. 9.30-12.30 and 14.00-17.00. Officially 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 still 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. 

Buy

Eat

• A Tasca, 38 Rua do Alportel, Faro, ☎ [phone]. This is a typical Algarvian restaurant serving typical regional cuisine at average prices. They do not accept Credit Cards. 
• Camané, Ilha de Faro, Faro, ☎ [phone]. A swanky beach restaurant with upmarket Portuguese cuisine. It's popular with business people and the richer Algarve socialites. They accept credit cards and are closed on Mondays. 
• Dois Irmãos, 20 Largo Terreiro do Bispo, Faro, ☎ [phone]. Found in an old small corner house located in the square opposite the Cathedral. International cuisine. They accept credit cards. 
• Hotel Monte do Casal, Estrada de Moncarapacho á Estoi, ☎ [phone]. A charming converted manor house in a comfortable rural hotel set back from the coast. The restaurant is run by a Michelin trained Chef called George who provides an exciting menu. Credit Cards accepted. 
• O Costa, Ilha de Faro, ☎ [phone]. Located on Faro Island to the south of the airport, O Costa serve well presented cuisine prepared by chef Fabienne Costa who does credit to traditional Portuguese Algarvian dishes with a touch of finesse. 
• Le Marquis, Monte da Palhagueira, Santa Barbara de Nexi, ☎ [phone]. Wonderful building and position, inside decor traditional in style but table settings and modern food. A very personal experience from Helma and Vincent. The menu was impressive, something for every palette. 
• Adega Nova, 24 Rua Francisco Barreto, 8000-344, ☎ [phone]. A unique restaurant in the middle of Faro that appears like a pub from northern Europe. Busy and lively restaurant with smoking and non smoking areas. Attentive, professional staff. Reasonably priced 

Drink

• Bar CheSsenta, Rua do Prior 34. On the Rua do Prior which is the main bar / cafe street in Faro, this small bar is decorated with many photos of Che Guevara and attracts a 20s-30s crowd with reasonably priced drinks. They do karaoke on some nights also. 
• Conselheiro Bar, Rua Conselheiro Bívar 72, Faro, 8000-255, ☎ [phone]. A one-stop place, which is very well known and always full. It is divided between three distinct areas: The main (as you enter) has a very wide bar that attracts the older clientele, in the next room is the dance floor and a well equipped bar, an ideal place for the more rowdy nights and a chill out room over two floors, ideal for relaxing, playing pool or video games. 
• Bora Bar, 1 Rua do Compromisso. 4AM close. Located next to the Hotel Faro in the hub of nightlife of Faro, Bora Bar attracts a younger crowd and the staff are welcoming and friendly. Friday is ladies night and there are drink offers every night of the week. 
• Upa Upa Café Bar, 51 Rua Conselheiro Bivar. Very popular with both the locals and tourists, Upa Upa draws a rich mixture of people. Tables overflow onto its spacious patio. It's a great place to have a drink while mixing with the locals and other tourists. 
• Dux, Rua do Prior 38 8000, ☎ [phone]. This nightclub is popular amongst the younger crowd and is frequented by both the locals and tourists. If you're looking to party until the early hours of the morning, this is the place to go. 

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 and note that many places are closed during the low season.

• Hostel Casa d'Alagoa, Praça Alexandre Herculano, 27, Faro, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. First Hostel in Faro, Algarve, Portugal, is centrally located near Faro "Old Town", just a 5 minute walk from the marina and to some of Faro's most important monuments and museums. And remember the only deserted beach during the Summer in the Algarve is just 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. 
• Pousada de São Brás de Alportel - São Brás, Charming Hotel, 8150-054 São Brás de Alportel, ☎ [phone], [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. A charming hotel located in the Algarve mountain range, only half an hour from the coast and near the most famous beaches in Portugal, this has and still maintains the most genuine characteristics of the region's culture. Near this charming Algarve hotel are some golf courses, such as the Monte Rei, the Benamor and the Quinta da Ria golf course, these are some of the best greens for the practice of golf in Algarve. 
• Hotel Eva is a 4-star hotel overlooking the harbor and the Cidade Velha. It is walking distance from everything and is well worth the few extra euro.
• Hotel Faro, Praça D. Francisco Gomes N2 Faro, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 
• Hotel Ibis Faro, E.N. 125 Pontes de Marchil, ☎ [phone]. 
• Hotel Mónaco, Rua João Baptista Severino Urb. Monte da Ria - Montenegro 8005-237 Faro (From all directions take directions to Faro/airport. Once on the EN125-10 (airport road - dual carriage way) take exit signs (Montenegro/Universidade), on the flyover roundabout follow the exit towards Faro and sign Hotel, descending from the roundabout, take the immediate right turn. Hotel is 100m away.), ☎ [phone]. Check-in: After 2PM, check-out: Before noon. Hotel Mónaco is the nearest hotel to Faro airport, Algarve University and Algarve Stadium. Low/High: €45/55 (single), €52/70 (double or twin). 
• Faro Lounge Guesthouse, 72 Av. da Republica Sao Pedro, ☎ [phone]. A cheap guesthouse in Faro. They offer dorms for 12 and 16 people. I booked it well in advance and paid a deposit. A few hours before I got to Faro I received an email message telling me my reservation is canceled due to overbooking. I still haven´t received my deposit back. 
• Pensao Tivoli - Guest House Tivoli, Praca Alexandre Herculano, 6 (from the Arch of the Old City head along Rua da Misericordia then Rua Alexandre Herculano, after 5 minutes you come to the Praca and the Tivoli is the corner building on your left), ☎ [phone]. A beautiful building with classic decor with restored antique furniture in most of the rooms. Clean and bright. 
• Hostel Faro - Hostel 33, Rua Miguel Bombarda 33, Faro, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Hostel 33 is in a building full of history in Faro, Algarve, Portugal, is centrally located in the old town area of Faro, 10 minutes from Faro Airport by taxi, 2 minutes walking distance from the bus station and only 40 metres from the Train Station, offer accommodation in 4, 6 and 8 bed mixed dorms and we also have twin rooms available, each with a private bathroom and balcony, 24h open reception desk, Full Wi-Fi coverage, Guest kitchen, Outdoor terraced área. 

Stay safe

Faro and the Algarve region are reasonably safe year round. With that said, pickpockets are not unheard of, especially near beaches at night, so be on your guard.

Go next

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