Faro is a Portuguese city located on the Mediterranean coast, in the Algarve region of Portugal. It offers many options for a great holiday! Faro has something for everyone, whether you’re planning a relaxing beach holiday, an outdoor adventurous holiday, or a cultural trip.
We personally love holiday spots that match all the diverse ideal travel itineraries. This article will go over the tips to spend the best holidays in the Faro district for you! We’ll explore all the visiting options, as well as the tips to find the best accommodation and travel options.
Get all the good tips for your trip to Faro!
How to come to Faro?
By plane
First of all, you can get to Faro by plane: it is located in the southernmost region of Portugal so you’ll get to the very south of Europe. Faro’s airport is named the Faro International Airport (code FAO).
Faro’s airport is well connected to several European cities, with direct flights from major cities like London, Dublin, Paris, Amsterdam, etc. During peak season, which is from June to August, there can be up to 200 flights, domestic and international, arriving to Faro each day.
By train
To get to Faro by train, you’ll have to make a connection in other major Portuguese cities, such as Porto or Lisbon. Faro’s train station is located in the center of the city. Train rides in Europe are often quite beautiful: the ride from Lisbon to Faro, around 3 hours long, offers breathtaking views of the Portuguese countryside.
Around a dozen trains arrive in Faro during peak season. Many others connect Faro to several small towns and villages of the Algarve. When traveling by train in Europe, don’t forget to check the Interrail or Eurail option: it allows you to board many European trains.
By car
If you’re traveling to several areas of the Iberic Peninsula and of Europe, it might be a good idea for you to travel by car thanks to a car rental. This way, you can make several stops in Portuguese cities, as well as other countries.
When renting a car, don’t forget to look at the driving license regulations, local signalisation and speed limits, and to check the parking options. The A22 highway runs along the Algarve coast, connecting Faro to other cities of Portugal and Spain.
By bus
Traveling by bus is a great option if you’re traveling on a budget and with time on your hands. It allows you to really enjoy the time spent on the roads.
Faro is well connected to other cities in the Algarve and the rest of Portugal. You can use national routes, take a bus from Lisbon or Porto, or travel with local buses from other towns in the region. You can also connect to many European cities by bus!
Where to stay in Faro?
Faro City Center
When visiting Faro, you can stay in the heart of the city. This way, you’ll be close to Faro’s main attractions, such as the cathedral, museums, restaurants, and shopping areas.
The center of Faro is made of different architectural styles: the influences come from the Moors, the Renaissance, and the Baroque periods. Faro’s ancient buildings are very colorful, and its narrow streets give the center a charming atmosphere.
You can find different options of hotels, guesthouses, and apartments to suit different budgets in this area. You’ll be in a vibrant area, close to restaurants serving both traditional Portuguese and international dishes.
The Old Town
Faro also has its Old Town, or Cidade Velha, which is the historic center of the city. You have to picture charming cobbled streets with ancient colorful houses and traditional Portuguese architecture.
Indeed, Faro’s Cidade Velha dates back to Roman times: you can still see some ancient Roman walls. There too, you’ll find several options for guesthouses, hotels, and apartments for different budgets.
This area offers an authentic unique experience: you’ll be close to the Municipal Museum of Faro where you can learn about the history and culture of the region, as well as the Igreja do Carmo which is a beautiful baroque church.
Praia de Faro
If you’re more into nature and the grand outdoors than urban settings, you can also stay in the area of Praia de Faro: it is the closest beach to Faro, where visitors and locals enjoy sunbathing as well as water sports.
The area offers several options for hotels and guesthouses with facilitated access to the beach: how does staying close to the sea, under the bluest sky and warmest sun sound?
Gambelas and Montenegro
Gambelas and Montenegro are two residential areas located on the outskirts of Faro. They’re perfect for travelers on a budget, and/or looking for a peaceful place to stay. They offer a selection of hotels, apartments, and guesthouses.
These residential areas are pretty popular among expats and locals: you can connect with people of different nationalities. They’re easy to connect with the city center thanks to public transport.
What to visit in Faro?
Explore Faro’s history
As we saw, there are many exploration options around Faro’s historical aspects. Its city center and old town are full of history and charm: you can soak in the authentic atmosphere made of narrow streets, traditional houses, and ancient walls.
We recommend you take a walking tour of the city and take some time to visit:
- The Sé de Faro Cathedral: this beautiful cathedral from the 13th century is an architectural mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles.
- The Municipal Museum: located in the old Convent of Nossa Senhora da Assunção, Faro’s Municipal Museum displays elements of the history and culture of the region, with archaeology, ethnography, and art.
- The Chapel of Bones: Faro’s macabre Chapel of Bones is part of the Church of St. Franci. Its walls and pillars are made entirely of human bones and skulls. Spooky!
- The Arco da Vila: it is a historic archway from the 19th century, located in the city center, built as a gateway to the old city. You can admire its intricate carvings and sculptures.
Go to the beach
A central element of your visit to Faro will be your trips to the beach. Faro possesses some of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve. Praia de Faro is the closest beach to the city center: its sand is soft and its water clear.
However, Faro has many other beaches, so you’ll for sure find your perfect fit. You can check our article about all the popular beaches in the area, like Ilha Deserta or Ilha da Culatra.
Enjoy the outdoors
Your first outdoor activity will be a visit to Faro’s Ria Formosa Natural Park, which is a protected area. It is a preferred area for all the nature lovers out there, as it protects a huge diversity of flora and fauna.
Several boat tours are offered: you can take one to explore the lagoons. This way, you’ll be able to see wildlife such as birds, fish, and many plant species.
Then, the Faro area is a great place for other adventurous outdoor activities: you can find your fit among all the possibilities for hiking, cycling, and kayaking. Many of those activities can be done in the Ria Formosa park for beautiful landscapes.
Finally, you can take a day trip from Faro around the Algarve region. Faro is well connected to other towns and cities in the region, which allows travelers to take day trips to destinations such as Tavira, Lagos, or Silves.
Take a wine and food tour
When traveling to Faro, and to Portugal in general, you have to explore its gastronomy. Indeed, Portuguese cuisine is rich, diverse, and complex, and Faro is a great place to discover it.
You can take a food tour so you can try local specialties: grilled sardines, cataplana (seafood stew), and pastel de nata (custard tart)… You have to taste some of the excellent wines from the Algarve region as well!
As you see, Faro offers a great range of activities, experiences, atmospheres and adventures for you to have the best holiday! It can adapt to all types of travel tastes and types.
Remember that with Trazler, you can book your trip to Faro with much ease. Our website allows you to book your trip, whether it is by bus, plane, train, or car rental, as well as your accommodation, all on the same page and with the best prices.
We hope you have a lovely, sunny, sandy, and tasty time in Faro!
Discover as well our article on how to spend the best holidays in New York.
