Things to do in and around Faro

The city of Faro is often overlooked by visitors to the Algarve in favour of the more established resorts along the Algarve coast. Faro old has a strong Moorish influence dating back to the 9th century.

Faro has no beach in the city itself, Faro beach is located outside the city close to Faro Airport.

Faro has plenty to offer though especially in the quieter months when the temperatures are ideal for site-seeing rather than beaches. Below are some suggestions of places to visit in and around the Faro area:

Faro Old Town

It is easy to miss the old town entrance which is situated to the east side of Faro Marina. There are a few cafes located in the small squares which connect the narrow streets. Don't miss the storks nest on top of the bell tower at the old town entrance.

Faro Cathedral is located at the summit of the old town is Faro cathedral which was reconstructed after the 1755 earthquake which destroyed parts of the city. At the top of the main street is Faro Cathedral rebuilt in 1755 after the major earthquake which hit Portugal.

Forum Algarve (JUMBO) - a large covered shopping complex with an outdoor plaza and plenty of eating places.

Faro Marina is a typical Portuguese marina surrounded by restaurants and cafes located close to the centre of Faro.

Faro Beach is the main beach area at Faro, and is located close to the airport, but not close to the centre of Faro.. Faro beach is popular with the Portuguese in summer, and parking can be difficult. Be careful swimming here, the water gets deep very quickly and is not ideal for children.

The Palace of Estóiis a 19th century palace on the outskirts of Faro with attractive gardens. The palace has now been renovated as a hotel, making it an ideal location for a relaxing few days in the sun on the outskirts of Faro.

Olhao is a typical Portuguese fishing town located around a 20 minute drive to the east of Faro towards Tavira. Olhao has no beaches and is therefore not especially popular with tourists. Olhao has a renowned fish market, and is a good destination if you want to get away from the resorts and have a taste of the real Algarve.

Rio Formosa Nature Reserve (Parque Nacional do Ria Formosa) - ideal for nature lovers, especially birdwatchers. Boat trips are available throughout the year, tickets are available from kiosks at Faro Marina.

Loule Market Loule is located around a 20 minute drive to the north west of Faro, and has a popular an indoor market which is open Monday to Saturday, and Sunday mornings. There is an additional street market on Saturdays which attracts many local visitors and tourists.

The covered market sells fresh fish, local meats, fruit, vegetables, nuts, traditional Algarve sweets and cakes and contains a number of small shops selling traditional Algarve craftwork such as ceramic goods. Parking in loule can be difficult so it may be advisable to get a bus.

Tor The interior region of the Algarve has a differnet landscape to that along the coast, typified by gentle rolling hills. In winter and spring the area is green and lush such as this typical Algarve countryside near Tor to the north of Faro.

The inland region to the north of Faro is very fertile, and typical crops of the interior include olives, citrus fruit, tomatos and figs. The area is typified by pine forests and citrus groves.

In the winter and early spring the inland region is green and lush, but by late May when the rainfall ends it becomes hot and dusty. Most of the wildlife vanishes during the heat of summer, but in late autumn,spring and winter there is an abundance of birds, lizards and butterflies.

Read more about Faro and see panoramic views at www.panoramicearth.com