FARO
Faro, a sunny southern capital of Portugal’s Algarve region, becomes for many tourists the starting point of an exciting, exciting journey through the southern part of the country. Why go on tours to Faro? This city is famous for its seaport, cozy fish restaurants with exquisite food, retro cars and authentic architecture of old Europe. People come here to see the sights of the old quarter (the slightly creepy Chapel of Bones under the Carmo Church invariably attracts tourists), admire the rare, brightly decorated chimneys in the surrounding villages and take a walk along the port, get acquainted with South Portuguese cuisine. In addition, there are good shopping opportunities in Faro. But for a beach holiday, it is not very suitable - to find good beaches, you have to drive to Vilamoura or to the south of the city.
The biggest treasure of Faro is its unforgettable views: cliffs over an ocean coastline, valleys and lagoons spread out for hundreds of kilometers, and of course, a nature preservation zone, with unique fauna and flora species. The resort will not disappoint fans of beach vacations and shopping, sports activities and bright parties. We are ready to organize a lot of interesting excursions and walks in the most beautiful places of Faro for vacationers.
Book a tour to Faro today and explore a new amazing place that has literally everything to provide you with a vacation you’ve been dreaming about. Are you dreaming about gastronomical discoveries or simply lying on a beach and drinking a cold beverage while enjoying a blue view onto an ocean? Faro is an unbelievable place where all dreams are coming true. Hurry up to book a hotel in Faro, that is quite ancient and relaxed at day time, rambling and energetic at night.
The best time to plan holidays in Faro is almost any time during the year. Being somewhat cool in winter, the place still attracts visitors from all over the globe because of its moderate Mediterranean weather. The temperature ranges from 27°C to 17°C, which is nice for walking, excursions and relaxing. A huge advantage of this time is a low season, hence, low prices and peaceful uncrowded streets. A high season in Faro begins in summer: the temperature goes up to 40°C, however, locals feel comfortable because of being moderated by the cold Canary current. The prices and influx of tourists rise along with the temperature, too. Yet, this is the best period to swim in warm waves of the Atlantic ocean, watch all the variety of natural habitats and get a nice tan on the golden beaches.
Speaking of which, beaches in Faro are quite unusual in this part of Portugal - all of them are outside the city. So, you will need to take a little trip to the South to get to them. But what you will find is totally worth all the efforts.
Very popular trips among visitors of Faro are to the Cabo de Santa Maria on Barreta Island, knowns as the uninhabited island of Desert. Visit this remote, unspoiled corner in the most southern point of Faro. Its main value is the beautiful sandy beaches. Stroll through beautiful deserted places, and in the evening arrange a romantic dinner in a restaurant and enjoy the sunset. There is a small restaurant where you can relax in an atmosphere of complete privacy.
In case you are looking for a beach with a well-developed infrastructure, a 10-kilometer Praia de Faro is perfect. Even in a high season, the beach is never crowded, and not at all due to the lack of vacationers, but because of its great length. This is a long sandy beach awarded with the Blue Flag. It is located in a natural lagoon. The bottom is shallow, the water warms up well, you can swim with children. But it is worth remembering that the Atlantic Ocean is more powerful than any sea, there can be strong waves and the reverse current, so you can not leave children unattended. However, the rolling waves of the Atlantic Ocean are great for surfing, bodyboarding, and other water sports. Scuba diving fans will also find amazing opportunities there. A lifeguard carefully monitors that all activities on the beach are safe. But here you are useful advice - when a red flag hangs on the shore, swimming is prohibited. A yellow flag allows sailing, but be careful. But with a green flag, you can swim as much as you like.
As much as it might seem like a family tour, Faro is not sleeping at night: bars and nightclubs welcome those, who want to have a drink and dance a little. Algarve capital has a young vibe in the air, partially because of students who study at the local university. From Friday to Sunday, the downtown is flooded with party-goers, laughter and music noise, club lights.
Enjoy a cocktail on a Columbus Bar terrace or a music show at Cocktail & Music Bar, then party till dawn at Rua do Prior. It is certainly worth noting a large selection of nightly entertainment venues, among which the Ditadura Live Music bar stands out. Stylish and modern, for many years it has remained a permanent venue for vibrant music events and theme parties. The CheSsenta Bar invites you to listen to live music and enjoy your favorite cocktails. Bright entertainment events take place there literally every day.
If you are feeling like having a nice talk to your friends while sipping Portuguese craft beer, then take a stroll to Largo da Madelena. To all tastes and preferences, Faro nightlife serves great options.
The capital of the Algarve has many shops. There are large shopping centers and small shops with products of local craftsmen. In Faro, you will get a chance to shop both for authentic designer interior things - like at Space Invader and for fresh seafood, meat and local cheese - at the biggest local market of Mercado Municipal. Feel the atmosphere of a routine market hustle of the southern town, delve into the culture and try the freshest food.
Among shopping enthusiasts, the QM Country Shop and Garden Center is particularly popular. In this hospitable store, visitors are always greeted with a cup of fragrant tea and offer a huge selection of interesting souvenirs in national style. Also, a common souvenir is local wine, which you can buy in one of the specialized trade pavilions.
Large shopping centers open at 10:00 and work until midnight, small shops from 9:00 to 19:00, many of them close for lunch from 13:00 to 15:00. In the markets (7: 00-12: 00) they sell everything - from food to clothing and ceramics.
Sales are usually in January-February and August-September. About discounts says the inscription "saldos" on the windows. Prices in Faro are slightly higher than in other regions of Portugal but significantly lower than in other European countries.
Airlines: Many airlines flying to Faro, including both budget and conventional airlines. We will always offer you the best price to buy flight tickets to Faro.
Airport: Faro Airport
Distance from airport: about 10 minutes / 6-7 kilometers
Flight time: 6 hours
Language: Portuguese
Timezone: Western European Standard Time
Population: around 451.000
Passport: valid passport is mandatory
Currency: Euro
Tipping: Not included. Customary to up to 10% of the bill (depending on the quality of the service you receive)
Electricity: In Portugal (230V 50Hz; power plugs and sockets are of type F)
Tourist tax: 1,5 EUR per person/per night (from March to October)
Water: Safe to drink the tap water, but Portuguese prefer to buy bottled water, but that's just because it tastes nicer
In addition to beach vacations and pastimes in bars, the Portuguese city of Faro has plenty of places without the scorching sun, white beaches and turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea, where, nevertheless, you can enjoy a pleasant pastime.
1. A real adventure will be a walk around the city for your two. The first thing on a Faro to-explore list is the town itself. With the history dating back to the 4th century BC and with numerous settlements, Romans, Byzantines, Arabians and then finally Portugal leaving their trace on how the town looks today, tourists are fascinated with its diversity. Walk down tangled pebbled streets with breathtaking baroque cathedrals of the 18th century, ruins of ancient buildings and orange trees in bloom lined up along the sidewalks. Favorite place for walking among city guests remains the central street of Rua do Prior. During a walk along it, you can see many beautiful historical buildings, on the ground floors of which today there are shops, restaurants, and various entertainment venues. The street is framed by miniature buildings with a height of no more than three floors, it is lined with very beautiful tiles.
2. Dive into the underwater world. Fans of scuba diving should contact diving centers, which organize trips to the most attractive places for diving. Novice divers will be able to take some skill lessons from experienced divers, and you can also rent any equipment necessary for diving in the center. For ocean life fans who don’t want to dive, there is an available excursion to observe playful dolphins and whales, while getting through picturesque caves and enjoying the ocean breeze.
3. After an active get out, it’s just the right time to enjoy world-class food in an old part of the town. And here Algarve’s largest city has something to offer, too. Faro cuisine has combined Portuguese and regional dishes, Michelin-like and local family restaurants. As for Algarve regional specialties, try out Piri-Piri chicken; cataplana, a stewed seafood dish; and all the rest of the sea products you can get there: oysters, clams, sardines, etc. Portuguese cuisine is offering a pastel de nata, a tasty traditional dessert; bacalhau, salt-dried cod, and leitão, a roasted on the wood-fire 6-months-old pig. Faro cuisine is absolutely diverse and surely deserves your try.
The biggest treasure of Faro is its unforgettable views: cliffs over an ocean coastline, valleys and lagoons spread out for hundreds of kilometers, and of course, a nature preservation zone, with unique fauna and flora species. The resort will not disappoint fans of beach vacations and shopping, sports activities and bright parties. We are ready to organize a lot of interesting excursions and walks in the most beautiful places of Faro for vacationers.
Book a tour to Faro today and explore a new amazing place that has literally everything to provide you with a vacation you’ve been dreaming about. Are you dreaming about gastronomical discoveries or simply lying on a beach and drinking a cold beverage while enjoying a blue view onto an ocean? Faro is an unbelievable place where all dreams are coming true. Hurry up to book a hotel in Faro, that is quite ancient and relaxed at day time, rambling and energetic at night.
The best time to plan holidays in Faro is almost any time during the year. Being somewhat cool in winter, the place still attracts visitors from all over the globe because of its moderate Mediterranean weather. The temperature ranges from 27°C to 17°C, which is nice for walking, excursions and relaxing. A huge advantage of this time is a low season, hence, low prices and peaceful uncrowded streets. A high season in Faro begins in summer: the temperature goes up to 40°C, however, locals feel comfortable because of being moderated by the cold Canary current. The prices and influx of tourists rise along with the temperature, too. Yet, this is the best period to swim in warm waves of the Atlantic ocean, watch all the variety of natural habitats and get a nice tan on the golden beaches.
Beachlife
Speaking of which, beaches in Faro are quite unusual in this part of Portugal - all of them are outside the city. So, you will need to take a little trip to the South to get to them. But what you will find is totally worth all the efforts.
Very popular trips among visitors of Faro are to the Cabo de Santa Maria on Barreta Island, knowns as the uninhabited island of Desert. Visit this remote, unspoiled corner in the most southern point of Faro. Its main value is the beautiful sandy beaches. Stroll through beautiful deserted places, and in the evening arrange a romantic dinner in a restaurant and enjoy the sunset. There is a small restaurant where you can relax in an atmosphere of complete privacy.
In case you are looking for a beach with a well-developed infrastructure, a 10-kilometer Praia de Faro is perfect. Even in a high season, the beach is never crowded, and not at all due to the lack of vacationers, but because of its great length. This is a long sandy beach awarded with the Blue Flag. It is located in a natural lagoon. The bottom is shallow, the water warms up well, you can swim with children. But it is worth remembering that the Atlantic Ocean is more powerful than any sea, there can be strong waves and the reverse current, so you can not leave children unattended. However, the rolling waves of the Atlantic Ocean are great for surfing, bodyboarding, and other water sports. Scuba diving fans will also find amazing opportunities there. A lifeguard carefully monitors that all activities on the beach are safe. But here you are useful advice - when a red flag hangs on the shore, swimming is prohibited. A yellow flag allows sailing, but be careful. But with a green flag, you can swim as much as you like.
Nightlife
As much as it might seem like a family tour, Faro is not sleeping at night: bars and nightclubs welcome those, who want to have a drink and dance a little. Algarve capital has a young vibe in the air, partially because of students who study at the local university. From Friday to Sunday, the downtown is flooded with party-goers, laughter and music noise, club lights.
Enjoy a cocktail on a Columbus Bar terrace or a music show at Cocktail & Music Bar, then party till dawn at Rua do Prior. It is certainly worth noting a large selection of nightly entertainment venues, among which the Ditadura Live Music bar stands out. Stylish and modern, for many years it has remained a permanent venue for vibrant music events and theme parties. The CheSsenta Bar invites you to listen to live music and enjoy your favorite cocktails. Bright entertainment events take place there literally every day.
If you are feeling like having a nice talk to your friends while sipping Portuguese craft beer, then take a stroll to Largo da Madelena. To all tastes and preferences, Faro nightlife serves great options.
Shopping
The capital of the Algarve has many shops. There are large shopping centers and small shops with products of local craftsmen. In Faro, you will get a chance to shop both for authentic designer interior things - like at Space Invader and for fresh seafood, meat and local cheese - at the biggest local market of Mercado Municipal. Feel the atmosphere of a routine market hustle of the southern town, delve into the culture and try the freshest food.
Among shopping enthusiasts, the QM Country Shop and Garden Center is particularly popular. In this hospitable store, visitors are always greeted with a cup of fragrant tea and offer a huge selection of interesting souvenirs in national style. Also, a common souvenir is local wine, which you can buy in one of the specialized trade pavilions.
Large shopping centers open at 10:00 and work until midnight, small shops from 9:00 to 19:00, many of them close for lunch from 13:00 to 15:00. In the markets (7: 00-12: 00) they sell everything - from food to clothing and ceramics.
Sales are usually in January-February and August-September. About discounts says the inscription "saldos" on the windows. Prices in Faro are slightly higher than in other regions of Portugal but significantly lower than in other European countries.
Good to know
Airlines: Many airlines flying to Faro, including both budget and conventional airlines. We will always offer you the best price to buy flight tickets to Faro.
Airport: Faro Airport
Distance from airport: about 10 minutes / 6-7 kilometers
Flight time: 6 hours
Language: Portuguese
Timezone: Western European Standard Time
Population: around 451.000
Passport: valid passport is mandatory
Currency: Euro
Tipping: Not included. Customary to up to 10% of the bill (depending on the quality of the service you receive)
Electricity: In Portugal (230V 50Hz; power plugs and sockets are of type F)
Tourist tax: 1,5 EUR per person/per night (from March to October)
Water: Safe to drink the tap water, but Portuguese prefer to buy bottled water, but that's just because it tastes nicer
Things to do
In addition to beach vacations and pastimes in bars, the Portuguese city of Faro has plenty of places without the scorching sun, white beaches and turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea, where, nevertheless, you can enjoy a pleasant pastime.
1. A real adventure will be a walk around the city for your two. The first thing on a Faro to-explore list is the town itself. With the history dating back to the 4th century BC and with numerous settlements, Romans, Byzantines, Arabians and then finally Portugal leaving their trace on how the town looks today, tourists are fascinated with its diversity. Walk down tangled pebbled streets with breathtaking baroque cathedrals of the 18th century, ruins of ancient buildings and orange trees in bloom lined up along the sidewalks. Favorite place for walking among city guests remains the central street of Rua do Prior. During a walk along it, you can see many beautiful historical buildings, on the ground floors of which today there are shops, restaurants, and various entertainment venues. The street is framed by miniature buildings with a height of no more than three floors, it is lined with very beautiful tiles.
2. Dive into the underwater world. Fans of scuba diving should contact diving centers, which organize trips to the most attractive places for diving. Novice divers will be able to take some skill lessons from experienced divers, and you can also rent any equipment necessary for diving in the center. For ocean life fans who don’t want to dive, there is an available excursion to observe playful dolphins and whales, while getting through picturesque caves and enjoying the ocean breeze.
3. After an active get out, it’s just the right time to enjoy world-class food in an old part of the town. And here Algarve’s largest city has something to offer, too. Faro cuisine has combined Portuguese and regional dishes, Michelin-like and local family restaurants. As for Algarve regional specialties, try out Piri-Piri chicken; cataplana, a stewed seafood dish; and all the rest of the sea products you can get there: oysters, clams, sardines, etc. Portuguese cuisine is offering a pastel de nata, a tasty traditional dessert; bacalhau, salt-dried cod, and leitão, a roasted on the wood-fire 6-months-old pig. Faro cuisine is absolutely diverse and surely deserves your try.
