The 10 best things to do in Faro – Portugal

Faro is a popular gateway to the Algarve region of Portugal, where visitors pass through Faro Airport on their way to their beach resort. But Faro certainly justifies a closer look. Consider spending one day of your holiday in Faro or use it as a base for a weekend break in the Algarve. From the old city walls, to the shimmering Ria Formosa and the Vila-Adentro or old town, there’s plenty to see. Here are some of the things to do in Faro, Portugal that we enjoyed.

Looking out from the old city walls you get a glimpse of how Faro must have been. The silver waters of the Ria Formosa lagoon are bounded by distant sandbanks that shelter the city from the force of the ocean. Within the Vila-Adentro, Faro’s old town, the houses are closely packed in narrow streets.

They changed hands between the Moors and the Portuguese over the centuries. Now of course the town has extended much further and there are attractive pedestrianised shopping streets to explore, with bars and restaurants to while away an hour or two in the shade.

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1. A walk along the harbour front in Faro

Let’s start our tour at the large free car park of Largo de Sao Francisco, since that’s where most people seem to park in town. From here, wander along the seafront promenade that runs under the old town walls. Although it looks like the sea, these calm waters are the lagoon of the Ria Formosa Natural Park, with the distant sandy islands sheltering the lagoon from the force of the sea.

A row of old wooden fishermen’s huts stand on the promenade, covered with graffiti but preserved when they decided to build more modern ones a little further along the path. The walk takes us past the row of ticket booths where you can book a boat trip out to the islands on the far side of the lagoon – we’ll come back to that later.

The Centro Ciência Viva do Algarve is a hands on science centre on the waterfront which could be the place to stop if the weather is unkind. Continue walking and you’ll reach the marina with small leisure crafts that are designed to potter around the sheltered waters of the river and Ria Formosa lagoon.

Discover why the Ria Formosa was elected one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Portugal with an ecotourism experience on board a comfortable pontoon boat in the company of a nature tour guide.

2. Beautiful buildings in Praça Dom Francisco Gomes

The walk brings us to Praça Dom Francisco Gomes, a shady square that faces the marina and is a hub for the fiestas and street markets to look out for when you visit Faro. Take a look at the beautiful decorative facade of the Banco de Portugal set along one side of the square.

If you’d like ideas on what to do in Faro in the evening, you could stop nearby for a cocktail at the well known Columbus cocktail bar, set under the stone porticos of a historic building.

Along one side of this square is the Faro Tourism Information Centre, where you can get lots of helpful advice. Check the times of the regular Portuguese guitar recital they hold upstairs. There are many beautiful old buildings to discover in this area, including the pretty Palacete Belmarco which was built in 1912 as the home of a prominent merchant and has been restored to look like a decorative tiered wedding cake.

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3. Stay at Quinta do Lago Country Club near Faro

I’ll just mention that if you are looking for accommodation near Faro, I can recommend the Quinta do Lago Country Club, a luxury apartment complex that’s around 30 minutes drive from Faro and 20 mins drive from the airport. The Country Club is set on the edge of the Ria Formosa nature park, just a few minutes walk from the beach and tidal lagoon that is a haven for birds and wildlife.

Quinta do Lago is a luxury resort that has been developed in the last thirty years, with a relaxing atmosphere, plenty of sporting facilities and of course easy access to world class golf courses.

Apartments at Quinta do Lago Country Club

Most of the apartments are in shared ownership, so there is something of a family atmosphere with guests returning each year. Since not all the apartments are in use at any time, many are available for other guests to rent and enjoy, with a minimum stay of 2 nights in low season.

The Quinta do Lago Country Club offers one, two and three bedroom self catering apartments, but with the benefit of hotel style service, including a reception, breakfast lounge, swimming pools and beautifully maintained gardens.

The apartments are decorated in Mediterranean style with marble flooring and pale colours that reflect the hot summer sun. The style of our apartment was classic and our two bedroom apartment had two bathrooms as well as a huge living room that gave out onto a ground floor terrace overlooking the gardens.

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The Quinta do Lago Country Club is in the process of a renovation, with all the public areas having been completed and the apartments being gradually updated in the next couple of years. We loved the style of the new apartments which you can see in the photos, which were clean and contemporary with accents of calming turquoise blue and sea green. You can read my full review of Quinta do Lago Country Club here.

To book Quinta do Lago Country Club

Reservations for Quinta do Lago Country Club may be made directly through the website, or the English speaking reception staff will be happy to help you with your booking requirements.

Address: Quinta do Lago Country Club, Rua das Palmeiras s/n Quinta do Lago, Almancil, 8135-024,

Phone: +351 289 352 352

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4. Shopping in Faro

So back to all the things to do in Faro, with a spot of shopping! We followed the pedestrianised street from the square down Rua Dom Francisco Gomes into Faro’s main shopping area, although apparently it’s a lot quieter since they built a new out of town shopping centre.

This is one of the places to visit in Faro for small shops and boutiques selling fashion, jewellery and souvenirs. There are curving patterns in the tiled pavement and white shades strung like sails to give relief from the summer heat.

If you are looking for traditional Algarve souvenirs it’s worth a stop at the handicraft shop on this street (I think it’s Carapucinha & Carminho at Rua de Santo António 28) where we were drawn to the window displays showing the traditional Algarve chimney pots and the collectable Bordallo Pinheiro cabbage leaf ceramics.

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5. Sweet treats in Faro

If it’s time for coffee, a good place to stop for traditional Portuguese sweet treats is at Pastelaria Gardy (Rua de Santo António, 16). There are tables inside and outside for waiter service. Take a look at the cake counter for lots of traditional Portuguese cakes and sweets.

There are the delicious Pasteis de Nata custard tarts, but also more local sweets like the Dom Rodrigo balls. They are made of sweetened egg yolk strands covered with a crisp caramel coating.

You can also enjoy the Bola de Berlim custard doughnuts that you find in every bakery. As is common in many traditional bakeries, you order your cakes at one counter. Then take the ticket to a cash till by the entrance to pay for your order.

6. Try the Cataplana for lunch in Faro

If there’s one dish that you must try in the Algarve, it has to be Cataplana. It’s named after the hinged metal dishes, enclosing the ingredients that are cooked on top of the stove. Cataplana is a one-pot meal that is typically made with layers of fresh vegetables with pork belly and fish or seafood, depending on what’s available.

We tried our Cataplana for lunch at A do Pinto (Travesso Rebelo da Silva 13). This small restaurant is tucked down the side streets and specialises in typical dishes from the Algarve. There were lots of variations on Cataplana and the Riz or rice dishes which are the Portuguese equivalent of Paella.

These are normally ordered for two people and make a complete meal. We struggled to finish the sharing dish, so one dish like ours would probably feed three people, depending on your appetite.

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We enjoyed our lunch in this small and stylish restaurant. Everything was clean and simple, served on wooden tables with a friendly smile and no ceremony.

Our choice was Cataplana a Algarvia which was a bit of everything. Layers of beans, carrots, tomato and potatoes with clams, chorizo, fish and prawns steamed together to make a very tasty broth.

7. A Walking tour of Old Town Faro

After lunch we took a walking tour of the old town with our guide Jessica from Portugal4U. If you are wondering what to do in Faro for a day that will give you an insight to the local culture, they offer lots of different tours around Faro and the Algarve region.

You might like to take a walking tour to see the main Faro attractions. Or, take one of the food and wine tasting tours where you can meet fishermen, winemakers and chefs for an insight into the local cuisine.

The walled old city of Faro is known as Vila-Adentro. For many centuries most of the town’s population lived within these walls for security and protection from the raiders from the sea.

There are several entrances into the walled old town. At the archway facing Largo de Sao Francisco, you’ll see tiled murals telling the story of how King Alfonso III expelled the Moors from Faro in 1249 to claim the city for the Portuguese.

Experience the traditional Algarve lifestyle on a bike ride through the biodiverse landscape of the Ria Formosa with a guide to point out birds and wildlife.

Afterwards he allowed any Moors who wished to stay in the town, so that peace was regained. The Moorish quarter outside the old walls is where the shopping streets are today.

There are a few restaurants within the old walls, especially in the square where you’ll see a statue to Alfonso III. Look out for Tertúlia Algarvia who have an outdoor terrace on the square and serve traditional Algarve dishes.

8. Climb up the cathedral tower in Faro

Our wanderings through the old town brought us to the Cathedral of Santa Maria in Faro. It stands with a solid square stone tower and whitewashed walls. An enclosed courtyard full of orange trees stands to one side.

There’s a small fee for cathedral entrance and to climb the tower. From the terrace you get wonderful views over the old town and the lagoon.

As it was the late afternoon, the tower was bathed in golden light. We could clearly see the sandbanks that enclose the far side of the Ria Formosa lagoon and the reed beds that attract birds and wildlife.

The Bone chapel in Faro Cathedral

We also had a look around the interior of the cathedral which dates back to the 17th and 18th century. Side chapels are lavishly decorated with gold and silver and the traditional Portuguese blue tiles.

Upstairs is a small museum which gives a view down on the whole Cathedral and the painted organ loft. Further rooms display the vestments and precious religious objects.

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In the courtyard, there’s a curiosity of a small Bone Chapel, which is decorated with bones and skulls arranged in patterns on the facade. It’s smaller version of the well known Capela dos Ossos in Faro that you can find at Igreja do Carmo church.

9. A Boat Trip on the Ria Formosa lagoon from Faro

Even if you only have a day in Faro, I would try to fit in a boat trip on the Ria Formosa Lagoon. This is one of the top things to do in the Algarve.

There are a number of different boat trip providers on the waterfront. Find them near the Portas do Mar and fishermen’s huts under the city walls. Some of the boat trips are a simple ferry to and from Ilha Deserta. Others take you outside the lagoon into the Atlantic ocean to spot pods of dolphins.

Our sunset boat trip took us to the two main islands of Ilha Deserta and Ilha do Farol. We had a hour’s stop at both for a chance for a drink in the café and a wander around.

I particularly enjoyed Ilha Deserta, where are there are some cute fisherman’s huts and a cafe with views over the ocean. There’s miles of unspoiled beaches since it’s basically one big sandbar.

Explore the Ria Formosa Lagoon on a comfortable catamaran tour to the island of Ilha Deserta to relax on the beach

Islands in the Ria Formosa Lagoon

Other than the café there’s no building here. It’s an unspoiled place to visit if you just want to swim and relax on the beach. We returned to Faro at sunset, which was a magical time on the lagoon. The sky was turning golden and the sea birds swooped in and out of the water.

I can recommend the boat trip that we took with Islands4you, who have a kiosk at the Portas do Mar jetty. They run a number of different boat trips that can be booked in advance.

Discover Ria Formosa Natural Park on a small-group catamaran tour from Faro. Cruise around the islands of Culatra, Farol, and Deserta; and spot wild flamingos and egrets swooping over the lagoon.

10. A sunset drink at O Castelo in Faro

After a day in Faro and the afternoon spent on one of the islands in the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve came to a close, what better way to end the day, than sipping an aperitif as the sun sets over the lagoon.

I think we found the ideal spot in O Castelo, a bar and restaurant within the old town. Its terrace that faces the water perched at the top of the high stone walls.

I settled in here with my friend Kathryn from Travel with Kat who ordered a Porto Tonic. It turns out to be as popular here as a G&T would be back home, and very refreshing it was too!

This place is all about the view and there’s a courtyard where they also do live music with Fado nights that you can enjoy over dinner. It was a magical end to our day in Faro, as the sky turned shades of burned orange, red and purple, and the the boats sped back into the marina.

Read next

Read about where we stayed: Quinta do Lago Country Club – Luxury apartments in the Algarve, Portugal

More information to plan your visit to Faro

Need somewhere to stay? We can recommend Quinta do Lago Country Club – a luxury resort with a relaxing atmosphere, plenty of sporting facilities and easy access to world class golf courses | More Hotels in Algarve

You can find more information to plan your holiday in the Algarve at Visit Algarve Tourism site

There is information about holidays in Portugal at the Visit Portugal Tourism site

Looking for a boat trip or tour of Faro? Check out these Faro tours

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My trip was sponsored* by Quinta do Lago Country Club who provided the accommodation stay, some meals and experiences mentioned.

* More info on my policies page

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com

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