12 Things to Do in Faro Portugal For Every First Time Visitor

If you read my post about spending a few days in Lisbon, you’ll remember that I absolutely fell in love with Portugal on a recent visit. Determined not to solely judge a place by its capital I planned a side trip to the beautiful Algarve. So keep reading as I share some of my top things to do in Faro, Portugal.

Pristine beaches in parallel with gentle frothy waves, leading to a deep azure sea. Ancient city walls dating back to the Moorish and Roman times. White buildings curving along historic cobbled roads, and orange trees lining public squares. Faro has to be seen to be believed – you’ll be glad you made the trip, trust me.

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Where Is Faro?

Faro is a charming, historic coastal city in the south of Portugal, and is the capital of the area known as the Algarve.

Nestled along the Atlantic Ocean, it serves as the region’s main gateway since it has an international airport, which make it one of the easiest places in the Algarve to visit.

While Faro is surrounded by golden beaches, they aren’t as conveniently located as ones in many of the other Algarve towns. Places like Albufeira or Portimão might have easier beach access, but Faro shouldn’t be overlooked.

As well as beautiful beaches nearby, Faro also has lagoons, and the stunning Ria Formosa Natural Park. The city itself also offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and relaxation just a short flight away from many major European cities.

GETTING TO FARO

The only thing that might stop Faro being the top of your list in the Algarve is the almost constant sound of airplanes coming in to land. Which makes sense since the Algarve is very popular and most people arrive by air for ease. While you do get used to the planes, the airport is really close to the city, so they often fly overhead.

The airport is a short, less than 15-minute ride from the center. It cost me less than €10 to get to the airport by Uber. There are city buses for cheaper, but with a 6am flight I chose Uber as the easier option.

Aside from by air, you can also get to Faro via the long distance bus station from Porto, Lisbon or Seville. Although note the journey from Porto is over 10 hours. Buses to/from other nearby Algarve towns also leave from the central bus station.

Train is another great option to/from places like Porto, Coimbra, Seville or Lisbon. I had been in Lisbon for a few days, and took the train to Faro.

The train from Lisbon is direct, making only a handful of stops along the way. It takes around 3.5 hours, and my ticket was really budget friendly at only €14.50.

How Long Should I Spend In Faro Portugal?

Are there really enough things to do in Faro Portugal to warrant staying there, versus visiting on a day trip? That was my first thought too. Since I’m not much of a fan of beaches, and find it really difficult to just relax by doing nothing, I wasn’t at first sold on Faro. Until I started looking at all the great activities you can do there.

While Faro can be done as a day trip from other Algarve towns, or a really long day trip from the likes of Lisbon or Seville, it is best to spend at least a couple of days. In two or three days you can see most of the best things to do in Faro Portugal.

To spend longer would allow some extra relaxation time. Maybe a day trip or two, or some beach time or exploring the surrounding National Park. Either way, don’t overlook Faro as a great Portugal getaway. I’m so glad I got to visit, and I’d happily return in the future.

My Favorite Things To Do In Faro Portugal

I had a blast exploring Faro, a beautiful little historic walled city. Most of the things to do in Faro Portugal are fairly low effort, and quite budget friendly. It’s the perfect place for taking it slow. I’ll be concentrating my recommended Faro activities to those that can be done in or immediately around the city.

FARO MUNICIPAL MUSEUM

Museums are always a great place to start in a new place. While I found the exhibits within the small municipal museum really interesting, the best thing about it was the building itself.

The 16th Century former convent is stunning. And best of all, it’s only €4 entry.

Browse 17th Century oil paintings, 16th Century stone carvings and archaeological finds from Roman times. The one you won’t want to miss? A 3rd Century, incredibly well-preserved Roman mosaic discovered in the 1920s.

Make sure to also check out the perfectly manicured open air center of the museum, or seek shade walking through the gargoyle-adorned cloisters. The best view is from the second level.

FARO CATHEDRAL

At the center of the old town, you’ll find Faro Cathedral which is much more splendid than the outside would lead you to believe.

€5 entry gets you access to the cathedral, museum inside and the tower for some epic Faro views.

See the gorgeous organ, the painted tiles that line the staircases, and the serene courtyard garden. The steps to the tower are a bit uneven and narrow, but the view is worth the climb. See over the old town, or look out to the lagoon and the national park just offshore.

FARO OLD TOWN WALLS

Faro is a walled city, with the entirety of the old town contained within the 9th Century walls. The walls are actually built on top of the original Roman walls, which mean this area has even more historic significance.

Wander through the old city cobble-stone streets, seeking shade from the sun during the hottest part of the day. But if you want a real treat, enter under the archway by rue do Repouso and turn left after the first buildings.

Here you’ll find some steps up to the old wall. Walk along a part of the wall, and take some great photos of the old town from up high – a good free option if you don’t want to climb the cathedral tower.

ARCO DA VILA

Entering the old town of Faro is made even better by going under the Arco da Vila. This elaborate archway leans into the city’s Moorish heritage as it connects to the old city wall.

Between the bell at the top, the old clock tower and a pretty intricate statue of Saint Thomas Aquinas, it’s impossible to not stop and take a picture. Or even just pay a little more attention than you usually might when walking through your average archway.

CHAPEL OF BONES

For only €2 this small chapel is one of the most unique things to do in Faro Portugal. Located within an 18th Century Catholic church, which in itself is very pretty, the chapel is out the back in the garden area.

It is exactly as it sounds, a chapel made from the bones of over 1000 monks. In a similar style to the Catacombs of Paris, for anyone who has visited, the cemeteries of Faro were getting full and rather than discard the bones, they were used to make this chapel.

If you can get past the creepy factor this is well worth a visit. The chapel, and the church, are a nice quiet place for contemplation. Don’t forget to look up when outside, you might catch one of the storks that live on the roof of the church.

FARO MUNICIPAL MARKET

You might find a souvenir or two here, but the Faro Municipal Market is more where the locals shop. Bustling, budget-friendly cantinas. Stalls overflowing with fresh produce, meats and cheese. Mix in a bakery or two and you’ve got the perfect place to get a sense of local life in Faro.

This was one of my favorite things to do in Faro Portugal. I spent a while trying to decide what to buy, as it was a great place to get a cheap lunch and some snacks for the rest of the day. While communicating with my lack of Portuguese wasn’t as easy here, the stallholders were all very friendly and helpful.

TOP TRAVEL TIP: Buy some of the freshest and most delicious fruit to take with you, and head to the nearby park (see below).

ALAMEDA JAOS JARDIM

Is there anything better than sitting on a shaded park bench with a book on a hot day? Spending time in Faro is all about taking it slow, and that can be more than adequately achieved at the enchanting Jardim da Alameda João de Deus.

The large ecological garden has picnic tables, park benches and more peacocks than you can count. Seriously, they are everywhere. If you’ve nowhere to be, this is the place to spend your time.

BUY LOCAL SOUVENIRS AND GIFTS

Like any popular tourist spot Faro has its fair share of generic souvenirs. But I was actually surprised to see some nice local crafts and independent shops that were perfect for gift buying.

Find Portuguese tiles, ceramic cookware and local food and drinks that anyone at home will love. Or treat yourself before you leavel.

I found delicious pastel de nata flavored liqueur to fill my suitcase and orange blossom honey, as well as local lemon salt and fig vinegar which now make my new favorite salad dressing at home.

2 Sardinhas was one of my favorite shops, but O Cabaz Algarvio was the real star of Faro. It had all locally made and sourced products, including some items that give back to local community groups that make them at non-profit organizations.

FARO BEACHES

I’ll admit I’m not a beach person. I actually get really bored just doing nothing at the beach, and my vacations are usually more go, go, go. But I wanted to include the Faro beaches because many people do like to go on vacation to relax.

Unlike some other Algarve towns, Faro’s beaches are not walkable from the town. But they are close by, and not too difficult to get to. Praia de Faro is only 15-minutes drive away if you have a car.

Even if you don’t, fear not, Bus 16 leaves from Terminal Rodoviário bus station, taking 30 minutes and less than €3. For a more fun way to reach the beach, take the Faro ferry. A 20-minute ride through the lagoon is less than €5 round trip.

TRY SOME LOCAL PASTRIES

Ever since I touched down in Portugal I made it my life’s mission to try as many pasteis de nata as I could. Success! Faro, really helped with that plan – there are so many little bakeries that all have delicious local treats.

Feel free to try them all and compare. Or maybe find some other yummy desserts to mix it up a bit. Everything is reasonably priced from what I found in Faro, and I didn’t find one bad pastry.

That said, I highly recommend Pastelaria Coelho. Their hours are pretty liberal, so you’ll find them open all day from around 7am until late most days. They also serve other local Portuguese dishes as well as their pastries. My top spot though? Faisca & Henriques. Their pastries were to die for. I may or may not have packed half a dozen to take home.

BOAT TOUR

Not a beach person? Or just looking for a low-effort water-based activity while you’re here in Faro? Why not take a boat tour of the surrounding lagoon and national park wetlands. Boat tours run almost all day, fairly regularly, with more than a couple of companies. It’s a budget-friendly activity that I definitely recommend.

I went with Formosamar Boat Tours on a 1-hour boat tour of Faro. Getting out on the water was not only a relaxing way to enjoy some time in the Algarve, but a way to get a really unique view of Faro and the old city walls from the water.

The guides are really knowledgeable and ours loved telling us all about the natural area that makes Faro such a gorgeous place to visit. Not a bad activity for only €20.

TOP TRAVEL TIP: There isn’t much protection from the sun on the water, make sure to cover up and take a hat. I’m very fair skinned and freckled, so I took a morning tour to avoid the hot part of the day, and full on rocked my floppy sun hat.

MIRADOR RIA FORMOSA

You don’t have to take a boat trip to admire the pretty views, of course. If you prefer to keep your feet firmly on dry land, wander past the Faro ferry dock to the Mirador Ria Formosa viewpoint.

Here you can walk along the promenade and look out over the water, watching the gentle waves and local boats go by. Not far in the distance is the Ria Formosa natural park area which is just beautiful. This is also a great spot to watch the sunset in the evening, or watch those planes land and take off as the airport is nearby.

Day Trips From Faro Portugal

Faro makes a great base for quick getaways around the Algarve. Nearby Tavira has a historic castle and beautiful cobbled streets leading to stunning views. It’s less than an hour away by train or bus. You can also explore the Ria Formosa Natural Park for wildlife and lagoon scenery, with a longer boat trip – including an opportunity to swim or snorkel.

If you’re up for a bigger outing, Seville is close enough for a worthwhile day trip. This gorgeous Spanish city has incredible architecture, vibrant plazas, and some great cultural attractions like the Royal Alcazar. Take the bus from Faro bus station, and you can be in Seville in just over 3 hours, for as little as €15. You really should take more time to explore Seville than one day, but it can be done if you really want. Note: There is a 1 hour time change between Portugal and Spain.

Is Faro Portugal Worth Visiting?

Since I already wish I’d spent longer than the 3 days I did there, and I can’t wait to return, I think you have an answer. Faro was such a beautiful small city. The perfect quiet retreat after a busy Lisbon adventure. The sun, the water, and the charming streets and old town were the perfect way to end a trip to Portugal.

Faro has enough to keep you occupied without having too much to pack in to a trip. The food was top notch, and the people were so lovely and friendly. It was a gem of a place, and I’d happily recommend it to anyone.

Having an airport makes Faro a really accessible place to visit. With so many low-cost flights running from many European destinations, you can easily add it to a trip for a bit of a sunny getaway.

Top Tips For Enjoying Your Stay In Faro

As I wrap up this post about some of the most amazing things to do in Faro Portugal, I’ll leave you with a few recommendations and tips to make your stay the best it can be.

• Book accommodation close to the historic centre – It’s a great place to walk around, even in the evening, and while Faro isn’t a big city, you’ll love being close to the old town. I stayed at the Faro Boutique Hotel. While it wasn’t anything too special, it was comfortable enough, and in a very central location.
• Take a taxi or Uber to get to or from the train station or airport. It’s easier, and cheap enough. I walked from the station to my hotel. While only 10-minutes away the cobbles made it almost impossible with a suitcase. Learn from my mistake.
• Try some amazing local restaurants. You’ll find the freshest seafood, the most incredible traditional Portuguese cuisine and a wide range of other food for every taste. If I can give you one recommendation it’s ATO. One of the best meals I’ve ever had. The menu changes regularly with the seasons. Make a reservation or you’ll struggle to get in.

Why You’ll Love These Things To Do In Faro Portugal

Faro has the perfect balance of reasonably priced, interesting activities, and opportunities to sit and watch the world go by. I didn’t feel like I was rushing in Faro, but I still got to do everything I thought I would and more. Being such a compact city means that you’ll easily be able to walk to most of the places you want to see. And you can’t deny that the gorgeous weather won’t make Faro even more appealing.

When planning my trip, I actually didn’t think there would be enough things to do in Faro Portugal to keep me busy. It was one of the reasons I didn’t book longer there, something I really regret now. Of course, I do think I’ll return.

The Algarve is a stunning destination, and Faro is the perfect base to relax and explore. The problem might be wanting to leave, because I guarantee you won’t.

If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Have you visited the Algarve before? Which of these things to do in Faro would be top of your list?