Faro

Faro is the capital of the Algarve, and has a large international airport. This is the place where your holiday in the Algarve starts!

Faro, Algarve’s capital has a more distinctly Portuguese feel than most resort towns. Many visitors only pass through this underrated town – it makes an enjoyable stopover. It has an attractive marina (harbor), well-maintained parks and plazas, and a historic old town full of pedestrian lanes and outdoor cafes. Its student population of 8000 ensures a happening nightlife, and its theatre scene is strong. Marvellously preserved medieval quarters harbour curious museums, churches and a bone chapel. 

Algarve Housing has a few nice villas in the area of Faro Algarve.

Faro has a large shopping mall just outside Faro Algarve. A modern theater, and ferry boats to the islands of Faro, like Farol, Culatra and Armona. Easy acces to Faro peninsula, with one of the largest, white, stretched beach of the Algarve.!! 

History Faro

Faro is a Portuguese city with a long history. Over 2000 years ago the Romans built a major port. Faro Portugal, became in 1756 the capital city of Portugal’s most southern province, the Algarve. Today Faro Portugal is the administrative center of the district of Faro. Faro has an international airport where many tourist of various countries arrive to start their holiday in the Algarve. The airport is located 4 km west of Faro. The international airport of the Algarve offers a range of shops and bars and restaurants as well as internet access, ATM’s, post office and bank.

Faro Portugal is surrounded by an ancient defensive wall. These so-Afonso wall is named after King Afonso III in 1249 and drove the Moors from Faro. There are three gates, the Arco da Vila is the best.

Algarve Housing rent unique and hand pick selected villas in the Algarve, we have a few fantastic villas just a little drive from Faro.

Highlights Faro

A wander through the old city of Faro Portugal, is is very nice, you go through the roman arch and you find your self back in time. Visit the cathedral of Faro, from the 18th century and is decorated with azulejos, glazed tiles. The Baroque Carmelite Church Igreja do Carmo is an ossuary, a chapel where skulls and bones are kept. A boat trip throught the Ria Formosa Nature park gives you a nice impression of the surrounding nature of Faro Portgual.

Faro Portugal, is a nice place to shop. In the center is a pedestian area with a variety of shops, but just outside Faro Portugal, you find a large shopping center, called Forum Algarve. Here you find some nice clothes and shoe shops, furniture and sport shops. Refresh your self with a coffee in one of the many little cafe’s and the food court, has a wide selection of food stores. Take a break and watch a movie in the Cinema of Forum Algarve.

Faro Portugal has a lively night life. In the center there is a street with many bars with music, live bands and lots of Portuguese students, socializing till early in the mornings. You will find many nice squares with terraces.

Algarve Housing rent unique and hand pick selected villas in the Algarve, we have a few fantastic villas just a little drive from Faro

Beaches Faro

Sun seekers will find one of the largest beaches of the Algarve, a few km away from Faro town, close to Faro airport. You cross a bridge, as it is on Ilha de Faro, where you find many bars and restaurants, and most important, a long, very long stretched white sandy beach!

From the old fisherman’s harbor, in the center of Faro Portgual, you find little ferry boats taking you to Isla Deserta, where you find a very nice bar/restaurant, worth to try, as the location is fantastic and the food delicious. There are some unspoilt beaches, as nobody lives on this Island. A little further of Faro, is Ilha de Farol, more touristy, so lots of bars and restaurants, a lively Island, with gorgeous beach. If you like a walk, you can walk to Culatra, another Island of the Ria Formosa Naure park. But the Ferry als takes you to this typical fisherman’s Island.

Algarve Housing rent unique and hand pick selected villas at the beaches in the Algarve, we have a few fantastic villas just a little drive from Faro

Activities and events Faro

Faro Portugal is the capital of the Algarve, you’ll find plenty going on in Faro all year round. Events worth writing into your diary include April 25th’s Revolution Day, July/Augusts Festa da Ria Formosa in the Largo da Sé and and September’s Festas do Concelho, a two extravaganza of sports events concerts and exhibitions.

Faro’s major shopping area you find in the heart of town, just opposite the old harbor. There is a bustling produce market on the largo do Mercado which is open every day for visitors and locals. Shop till you drop in Forum Algarve, a large shopping mall, just outside Faro, on your way to the airport. The Algarve offers many activities and are within easy reach from Faro Portugal, such as:

  • kite surfing
  • sailing
  • scuba diving and snorkeling
  • jet skiing and water skiing
  • paragliding
  • tennis
  • horse riding
  • jeep and dolphin safaris

Algarve Housing rent unique and hand pick selected villas in the Algarve, we have a few fantastic villas just a little drive from Faro

Bars and Restaurants Faro

Faro Portugal, has a variety of bars and restaurants at the Rua de Santo Antonio. While in town, treat yourself to the local cakes and desserts, and sweet ‘bolos’ bursting with figs and almonds. For sea views, book a table at the Ginasio Clube Naval, a wonderful little eatery overlooking the harbor of Faro Portugal. Adega Dois Irmaos is the city’s oldest seafood restaurant where guests are spoilt for choice when it comes to fish and shelfish. If you traveling on a budget, check out A Tasca on Rua de Alportel. Faro Algarve, has for any budget, and any taste a place to go. from sushi to typical traditions Portuguese food of the Algarve. It’s your choice, and you will find it in Faro!

Algarve Housing rent unique and hand pick selected villas in the Algarve, we have a few fantastic villas just a little drive from Faro

Surroundings Faro

The surroundings of Faro Portugal also have a lot to offer such as water parks and other tourist attractions. If you want to experience another side of the Algarve, you can make excellent daytrips into the beautiful and unspoiled interior of Faro Portugal. Things to see and to do in the surroundings of Faro Portugal:

  • Zoo Marine – a superb theme park with water, animals and spectaculair shows
  • Aqualand – a water park with huge slides and rapids
  • Aquashow – with parrots, flamingos and Europe’s biggest wave pool
  • Estoi – an ancient village, just north of Faro
  • Olhao – an old fisherman’s village with the largest fish market of the Algarve
  • Tavira – very pretty, and easy access to Ilha de Tavira to enjoy the enormous beach
  • Golf – famous and beautiful golf courses you find around Vilamoura and Quinta do Lago

Algarve Housing rent unique and hand pick selected villas in the Algarve, we have a few fantastic villas just a little drive from Faro

Accommodation Faro

Algarve Housing offers some unique holiday villas in the East Algarve, like Casa Bordeira, a beautiful restored farmhouse, a little 15 minutes drive from Faro Algarve.