Introduction
Faro, a Portuguese resort city and the southernmost municipality in Portugal is the capital of the Algarve province. The city, which offers a temperate climate, island beaches and beautiful scenery,enjoys a steady flow of tourism throughout the year.
Boasting a centralised location, Faro is conveniently located so you can walk to many attractions and sites as well. Once called Ossonoba, the city was established in 1577. So, whether you are a history buff or want to enjoy a beach holiday, youâll find plenty to keep you occupied.
Types of Holiday-goers
People of all ages and interests regularly visit Faro in Algarve. Whether they are seeking to enjoy the many water sport activities that are offered along Faroâs shores or have more cultural interests, visitors of varying backgrounds like to relax and take in the sights and sounds.
Young people, 18 to 35 years old, can often be seen at the beach while older travellers and families like the shops and historical buildings.
Hikers also enjoy taking sabbaticals in the Ria Formosa nature preserve â" a notably peaceful and quiet area to birdwatch and walk.
The Best Time to Visit
The primary tourist season in Algarve is during the months of July and August, when the temperatures are warmer (around 72 degrees Fahrenheit or 22 degrees Celsius). However, the climate is also very welcoming from March to October as well, as days are mild and sunny with almost no rain in the forecast.
People like to come to Faro in the summer because of the festivals. For example, the Festival Internactional do Mºsica do Algarve takes place between April and June while the Silves Beer Festival is held in the first part of July. Other festivities on the agenda include the Feira da Serra Festival in Br¡s de Alportel â"a farm fair held in Julyâ"and the Olh£o Seafood Festival, which takes place in the middle of August.
Activities
There are plenty of different activities to try out in Faro and these are available for people of all ages and levels of experience, from beginner to expert.
For watersports, Faroâs Hidroespaco diving centre is a PADI certified centre, which takes divers to a number of different sites. As well as scuba diving, tourists can try out kayaking, windsurfing, big game fishing, jet skiing, surfing and yachting.
On dry land, tourists can explore the area on foot, with a number of walking and hiking trails in the area, or try out mountain biking or quad biking.
Faro is also a haven for golf players, with a number of championship courses in the area helping it to gain its reputation as a top golf location.
Beaches
The primary beach, Praia de Faro (or Faro Beach), features bars, restaurants, and shops, all on a narrow stretch of land called the Anc£o Peninsula. One side of Praia de Farro has a lagoon, which is great for water sport activities, especially swimming and jet skiing, while the other side of the peninsula attracts sailing enthusiasts, windsurfers and, again, jet skiers. Weekends are quite crowded at the beach so the space can be very limited.
In addition to the Praia de Faro, Faro also is home to Ilha de Barreta (also referred to as the Ilha Deserta) and the Ilha da Culatra, both of which are island beaches. The beaches can only be accessed by ferry departing from the Porta Nova Pier. The beach Ilha da Barreta is not inhabited, although it does feature a popular restaurant, the Restaurante O Estamin©.
However, if you want to spend a quiet day on the beach, then you will no doubt appreciate Ilha de Barreta. The ferry ride to the beach only takes around 30 minutes.
Visitors to the Ilha da Culatra have access to the number of bars and cafes situated around the sandy shore.
In addition to the beaches, tourists also enjoy the shores of the Praia da Rocha (which translated in English, means Rock Beach) - a well-known Algarve beach. The beach, which is noted for hosting the Mundialito de Futebol de Praia (or beach football tournament), is a home to high-rise hotels and has been a centre for tourism since the end of the 1800s â" a notably popular resort for British travellers during the winter months
Sights and Attractions
Sights and attractions on Faro draw sports enthusiasts, families, and lovers of history.
The Quinta do Lago attracts golfers from all over the world. Bordering the Atlantic and Ria Formosa, the course provides golfers with lake views and will appeal to novices and professionals alike.
Families like to visit the Aquashow Water Park in Quarteira on Algarve too, which features the largest water ride on the European continent.
Tourists also like taking time out to see the 360 degree view offered from the Cabeco de C¢mara- the highest point in Algarve. From here, visitors can see from Faro to the Algarve Sierra.
If the Algarve coast proves to be a bit too warm, you can climb the cool heights of the Monchique Range a few miles inland.
The Old City, which is called either Cidade Velha or Centro Historico, is marked by cobblestone streets and Moorish, flat-roofed buildings. Visitors can find cafes and a variety of unique shops and galleries.
The harbour is also well worth a visit. There are plenty of restaurants here overlooking the harbour, where many boats and yachts are docked.
The Ria Formosa, a natural area which runs from Portugal to Spain, is a popular venue for outdoor enthusiasts and hikers. Boats depart regularly from the Cidade Velha and travel through the reserve, with each cruise lasting over a couple hours.
A rather unusual attraction, the Igreja do Carmo Church is noted for its Capela dos Ossos, which features the skeletal remains of monks.
Families like visiting the Centro Cienca Viva, especially when the weather takes a turn for the worse. The interactive facility provides kids with hands-on experiences, all dedicated to science. A rock pool that features crabs and starfish is exhibited at the centreas well as a flight simulator display.
Nightlife
You wonât be disappointed by the nightlife in Faro, with dozens of pubs and clubs dotting the Rua do Prior. This section of Faro regularly rocks from late evening until dawn.
The Millennium III club hosts DJs and music in a warehouse.
T Clube is a luxurious venue which houses a restaurant and lounge as well as the main club.
Kadoc is the largest club in Faro, holding as many as 8,000 club-goers at a time.
Another favourite, the Upa Upa Caf© and Bar, attracts a large number of holiday-goers and locals and is open each day from mid-evening to the wee hours of the morning.
If you like jazz, then youâll want to visit the El Faro Lighthouse Bar, which also has a premium selection of wines. For those that fancy a flutter, the Hotel Algarve Casino is the place to go, located on the Praia da Rocha.
Restaurants
Fish is one of the Portuguese staples, so youâll find many restaurants in and around Faro that offer the cuisine. In fact, the Portuguese especially like bacalhau (salt cod. Meals offered can include shellfish, lobster, stuffed crab, as well as clams with pork. Small clams and octopusare regularly featured too. Other specialties can include cuttlefish and squid, served with red wine in a casserole.
In fact, one Faro restaurant, the Sol e Jardim, features some of the aforementioned Portuguese cuisine. Whether you go during the tourist season or not, youâll find the eatery to be a friendly place to unwind and enjoy the food and ambience.
Featuring a traditional atmosphere, the Adega Nova provides a menu of local dishes. Many visitors and locals give the well-known restaurant high marks for its service and food.
The Restaurante Ria Formosa is yet another favourite of locals and tourists. The chef regularly purchases the freshest fish locally, making the Ria Formosa the ideal place to visit to try the regional cuisine.
O Baia also serves the freshest in local food. The restaurant regularly receives kudos for its exceptional menu selection and affordable prices. The eatery is a draw for local business people, singles on holiday as well as families.
The Restaurante A Taska is an eatery that caters to locals and, to a lesser extent, to the tourist trade. Featuring a wide variety of local fare, diners can choose from a number of fish entrees as well as vegetarian offerings. Diners like the prices as well as the generous servings.
Accommodation
Faro provides a variety of accommodation as well as opportunities to camp. Algarve, itself, contains a large selection of holiday accommodation, including rental villas, guest houses, and hotels.
The Hotel Monaco is the closest hotel to the Faro Airport. Guests like the Restaurant Primavera, a bar with widescreen TV, and the outdoor swimming pool. Shuttle service is available at the hotel to and from the airport. Amenities include cable TV, balcony or terrace views, daily housekeeping, and wireless Internet access.
The Ibis Faro is situated close to central Faro and only a short distance from the Faro Airport. Located close to Algarveâs beaches, the hotel offers 81 rooms on three floors featuring a/c, television, and wireless Internet. The hotel, which attracts a good number of business guests, offers faxing and photocopying as well as dry cleaning and laundry services.
The Hotel Eva Faro is a property that sits adjacent to a city park and harbour. Featuring air conditioning, cable and satellite TV and fireplace, the rooms also come with a balcony or terrace and such amenities as mini-bar, daily housekeeping, child care, and concierge services. The hotel features an outdoor pool and chldrenâs pool too.
The Ria Plaza Resort is an affordable option. Amenities include a business centre, hotel restaurant, outdoor pool and tennis courts, wireless access in the common area, and health club.
The Monte do Casal is an eighteenth century country house. The two-story hotel offers guests, a bar, hotel restaurant and currency exchange. Located just fifteen minutes from Faroâs airport, the hotel is less than a half hour from Faroâs beaches and world-class golf courses. A heated outdoor pool and spa facilities makes this luxury property a popular retreat.