Faro the capital of the Algarve is a charming old town with cobbled streets and leafy parks. And its location in the centre of the Algarve makes Faro the perfect starting point for round-trips; Portugal’s southernmost region is rich in history and culture. Faro’s old town is actually not that old (it was burned down by English troops in 1596, rebuilt, and then destroyed by the earthquake of 1755), but it is beautiful and pedestrian-friendly. Next to the citadel’s ring-wall is the small harbour where the newer and livelier town stretches away to the north and east.
The gardens next to the harbour, Jardim Manuel Bivar, are a good place to start your sightseeing. Then head to the upper end of the city’s main shopping area and go north to see Igreja do Carmo Faro’s famous church – or north-west via the Largo 25 de Abril roundabout you arrive at the incredible fresh food market. - this is where Faro’s best wine shop, Garrafeira Rui, is to be found. Its fragrant range also includes local sausages, cheeses, sweets, etc.
The center of the Old Town of Faro is dominated by the Cathedral and from the outside; it’s a mixture of Renaissance and Baroque as a result of the devastation of war and natural catastrophes. Its interior is equally eclectic with interesting features, including a large organ from the 18th century with Chinoiserie decoration and is definitely worth a visit.
Largo da Sé - Faro, photo by Rui Morais de Sousa
Escape from the city for the day and take a boat trip to Parque Natural Da Ria Formosa. This beautiful wetland area was declared a protected natural area in 1987 because its unique conditions are a breeding place for wetland birds were threatened by the expansion of tourism. As a result the entire coast from Faro to Cacela Velha was able to avoid exploitation.
Finally, if you want to out your feet up and watch the people of Faro go by, grab a table at Taberna Da Sé – a comfortable open-air café in the old citadel, with a sociable crowd and frequent live music.
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