Faro.
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Overview

For the island in Sweden, see Fårö. For the ancient lighthouse, see Alexandria.

Faro is a city in the Algarve region of Portugal that is a popular sun destination in the summer, and a base for exploring the surrounding area.

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.

Get in

You could also fly into Lisbon or Seville .

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.

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.

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. 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: Portimão, Faro.

Get 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.

By train Faro lies on the Algarve rail line connecting Lagos to V. Real St. Antonio and it's feasible to use the train system for getting to nearby towns especially to the east - Olhao (~10 minutes), Fuseta (~20 minutes), or Tavira (~40 minutes), see Get in - Train section and the train services operator Comboios de Portugal.

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 alongside 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.

By boat Regular ferries run to four destinations:

Faro beach (Praia de Faro) on a narrow peninsula by the airport. Large number of departures during high season, from 29 October to 31 December 5 times daily. Ilha Deserta dock next to Ilha deserta beach (Praia de Ilha Deserta) on the Ilha de Barreta island. Available as ferry (45 minutes) or shuttle (fast boat, 15 minutes). As of Nov 2023, there are altogether 11 daily departures. Ilha do Farol and Ilha da Culatra docks in the respective small settlements on the Ilha da Culatra island. The settlements are about 3km apart via Praia do Farol beach or via a network of footpaths.

The regular ferries are run by private operators, see the Faro municipality website for the summary of timetables.

It is possible to get to the islands also via various hop-on/hop-off, tour, or water taxi services. Tour operators have booths by the harbor at the Avenida de República. (updated Nov 2023)

See

Bone Chapel. This chapel is almost completely made of bones taken from a former monk graveyard.

Old town. 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.

Cathedral. The view from the tower over the old town and the Rio Formosa is a highlight.

Roman Ruins of 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

Estoi Palace. 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.

Do

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.

Faro beach. 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.

Faro Jewish Heritage Centre. 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!

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.

Buy

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.

Faro Municipal Market. A supermarket in an underground floor and a few restaurants and cafès in the same building.

Forum Algarve. 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.

Eat

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

Restaurante Travessa. Despite being identified as "tapas" the servings are generous. Good variety of dishes.

Snackbar El Sombrero. Simple pleasant cuisine right next to the bus station.

100 Montaditos Faro. Tapas restaurant with a good atmosphore and nice outdoor seating.

Restaurante Sal e Pimenta. Hidden spot with good homemade food, generous portions and a family vibe.

Miminhos Caseiros. Authentic local cuisine with a friendly and passionate owner.

Chalet restaurante. An Asian restaurant that offers a wide variety of fresh sushi. Very friendly owners and employees.

Namastey. Indian food. Friendly staff.

Tasquinha Cruzeiro. The fried calamari of this local cuisine are nice. The service is very gracious.

Modesto Tavern. Very good fish and octopus cataplana.

A Venda. Portuguese tapas. Very vegetarian friendly. Good wine selection.

Restaurante Taska - Comeres Algarvios. Typical Algarvian restaurant serving regional cuisine at average prices. They do not accept credit cards.

2 Irmãos. International cuisine. They accept credit cards.

Le Marquis. In a wonderful building. The decor has a traditional style.

Adega Nova. Looks like a pub from northern Europe. Busy and lively restaurant with smoking and non smoking areas. Reasonably priced.

Restaurante Alameda. Original recipes.

Restaurante Hábito. Rooftop restaurant with a very upscale ambience.

Pigs and Cows. Nice music in the background. Nice ambience. Every dish is explained as it's served.

Drink

Bar CheSsenta. Decorated with many photos of Che Guevara and attracts a 20s-30s crowd with reasonably priced drinks. They do karaoke on some nights also.

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.

Hostel Casa d'Alagoa. 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.

Eva Senses Hotel. 4-star hotel overlooking the harbour and the Cidade Velha.

Hotel Faro & Beach Club. 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.

Hotel Mónaco. Hotel Mónaco is the nearest hotel to Faro airport, Algarve University and Algarve Stadium.

Faro Lounge Guesthouse. A cheap guesthouse in Faro. They offer dorms for 12 and 16 people.

Hostel 33. 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.