Gateway to the Algarve!
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Faro is the capital of the Algarve region in Southern Portugal and a beautiful resort for a short break or a full holiday! Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in Portuguese culture or just relax on stunning beaches, Faro could be the perfect choice for your next trip. The centre is only a 20 minute drive from the airport, so it's really easy to get to and from if you’re just flying in for a quick city break. With a peaceful marina, mouth-watering food options on every street and a massive range of day trips to explore the Algarve, it’s definitely a destination to add to your list.
As praias - If you’re staying by the marina in Faro - you could be disappointed when you realise there isn’t really a beach within walking distance. However, you can catch a short ferry to Ilha de Faro from the ferry terminal, which is only 5 minutes walk from the marina. It’s around €4 return per person and takes you to Faro’s main beach, which is a long strip of sand in between all of the beautiful islands and lagoons on the coastline! It has the ocean on both sides, and is a huge stretch of sand, so you should always have room to lay out and relax by the waves. The famous Lighthouse beach is a lot nearer to the city of Ohlão, and takes over an hour in the car to access from Faro Marina!
Best of both worlds - There’s so much more incredible nature to explore in Faro than just the main beach! From the ferry port, you can also find boat tours and even speedboat rides to the variety of different islands around Faro’s coastline. You can even visit a deserted island - just make sure not to miss the last ferry back! If city life is more your style, and you really want to get a feel for the Portuguese culture, look at the best places to stay in Faro, book somewhere close to the city centre and spend your days exploring winding streets, traditional bakeries, bars and countless churches. Evenings around the marina are something not to be missed, with relaxed cocktail bars and restaurants, and lazy walks by the water. Sit by the ferry ports as the sun goes down for the clearest view of planes flying into the mesmerising sunset.
Bakeries and bars - The food is stunning in Faro, and you can get some delicious meals at very, very reasonable prices. Our favourite place to eat by far was Demo Urban Bakery - where we devoured their traditional set, 3 course lunch menu for less than €9! They also have a special dish which isn’t particularly Portuguese, but is so incredible you won’t care. The chef brings steaming hot tagliatelle to your table and mixes it with sauce in a wheel of parmesan - it’s the cheesiest thing I’ve ever tasted. Faro also has a good nightlife, LAB sunset bar has great music and a beautiful view, and if you’re not too concerned about being traditional we would highly recommend Piper’s Irish Pub - the atmosphere there is amazing!
This city is often overlooked and only used for its airport, but there is so much more to explore locally! Whether you’re looking for serenity, exploration or a good night out, we’re sure Faro will be more than sufficient.
Additional information:
Getting there: Faro is easily accessible by air, with direct flights from many major cities around the UK. It's also accessible by train or coach from some major cities in Portugal and Spain.
Visas: Citizens of most countries do not need a visa to visit Portugal for a stay of up to 90 days.
Currency: The currency of Portugal is the Euro.
Language: The official language of Portugal is Portugese, but English is widely spoken.
Time zone: Faro is in the Western European Summer Time, the same as the UK.
Ready to go?
- Search for somewhere to stay in Faro on Expedia here
- Look for things to do in Faro with GetYourGuide here