Top Things to do in Faro
10 Things to do in Faro That You Shouldn't Miss
Faro is the best-known city in Portugal’s deservedly famous Algarve region. There’s an archaeological museum and a “Bishops’ Palace,” a Renaissance cathedral that was heavily bombed during World War II, but later rebuilt. Nearby in Estoi are Roman ruins, and Albufeira, also nearby, is a formerly quaint fishing village influenced by the Moors in the 8th century. It’s situated in a cliffside location, and has become famous for its beaches (there are 20) and nightlife.
Restaurants in Faro
1. Carmo Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 427 reviews
Reviewed By JohnBishop3 - Auckland Central, New Zealand
Going into the church it was very opulent and ornate and quite the contrast when you go out the back of the church to the Bone Chapel. The Bone Chapel was quite chilling to see, but definitely worth the look.
2. Palacio de Estoi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 378 reviews
Reviewed By LuizDutraNeto - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
While staying in Faro and having some spare time, a visit to "Palácio de Estói" is highly recommended. It is only 10km away from Faro and easily reached by car (or public bus). The palace had its construction started around 1840 and was completed only in 1906. It features characteristics of the neo-baroque and neo-rococo styles, with fine plastered ceilings, beautiful paintings and traditional furniture. At its French inspired gardens, ponds, fountains and many marble statues complete the scene. A chapel dedicated to the "Holy Family" is within its premises. In 1977, "Palácio de Estói" was appointed as a Portuguese National Monument and, after totally renovated, it became a hotel. We just drove from Faro, visited the public areas of the hotel, had lunch at its "O Visconde" restaurant and headed to nearby "Ruínas de Milreu". A lovely day at Faro's countryside! Enjoy!
3. Museu Municipal de Faro
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 263 reviews
The Museum's archaeological collection is displayed in three rooms. The Roman period is represent in the Paths of Roman Algarve Exhibition, starting in the Southwest Writing (Iron Age), going through the Latin epigraphy and the mosaic of Oceanus room; the Islamic room shows objects of the Muslim daily life. The visitor can also see two other permanent exhibitions, the Ancient Painting (from 16th to 19th century) and the Enchanted Algarve by Carlos Porfirio.
Reviewed By LuizDutraNeto - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
This is a small and very interesting museum! Located at the old "Convento de Nossa Senhora da Assunção" ("Convent of Our Lady of Assumption", in English), the "Museu Municipal do Faro" displays collections concerning the Roman times in "Ossonoba" (as the city of Faro was named by them in the 1st century), the Moorish years in "Santa María" (as Faro was known from the 10th to the 13th centuries) and fine classical paintings from the 16th to the 19th centuries. The highlights are the Roman mosaics portraying "Oceanus", their patron god for seas and oceans. Two last hints: 1) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, "Fado" singers and players perform live in this lovely museum at 11:30 AM, 2:30 PM, 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM. Check the schedule before going; and 2) check also their temporary exhibitions, always bringing important artists to Faro's cultural scene. Unmissable! Enjoy!
4. Rua Dom Francisco Gomes
5. Old Town Faro
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,633 reviews
Reviewed By chrisdW8242NM - Manchester, United Kingdom
The charming old town of Faro is quite small, situated within the old Moorish town walls, but a most pleasant way to spend half a day wandering through the narrow streets and finding bars and restaurants lurking around corners. In the central square there is the magnificent, though not large, baroque cathedral with museum and outdoor chapels (one inset with human bones). Close by is the municipal museum, inexpensive and definitely worth a visit to explore Faro's Roman and Moorish past.This is a definite must for all visitors to Faro.
6. Faro Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 878 reviews
Reviewed By Andy-S60 - London, United Kingdom
Absolutely beautiful cathedral. Some wonderful smaller chapels within, exceedingly ornate, fabulous carvings and masonry. A small museum upstairs, nice gardens containing a ‘bone cemetery’, and a bell tower which can be ascended by 68 steep-ish steps, giving some great views over the city and beyond. All this cost us €3.50 each. A highly recommended visit.
7. Centro Ciencia Viva do Algarve
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 112 reviews
“Know +, Eat well, Walk better” Physics, Geology, Food, Meteorology, Volcanism, are some of the scientific areas that you can get to know better when visiting this exhibition. Come and experience the feeling of an earthquake, see a tornado live, find out what its weight is on other planets, find out how many calories are in a pizza and much more! “Da Ria à Rua” In addition to including several interactive support modules on the theme of Ria Formosa and coastal ecosystems, this exhibition focuses on the “touchpool” where visitors, with the support of trained monitors, can interact with animals that are usually found in the intermareal zone from Ria Formosa, and discover and understand the specifics associated with their life cycle and the way they relate to them and the environment. There is also an aquarium representative of the sub-real environment of Ria Formosa, which will show the Seahorses of this very sensitive environment.
Reviewed By MauraHaags - London, United Kingdom
We came here with our 3 year old daughter and had a lovely time! She got to touch the starfish & crabs in the touch pool, feel what an earthquake would feel like, and play with the soft sand in the weather display (which is a really cool display that I can't figure out how it works! There are lights over a tray of soft sand, and you move the sand to create 'mountains, oceans, islands etc' and the lights know what you've made and adjust accordingly... too clever for me!) The staff were also super friendly and patient with us/her; whenever they saw her looking curiously at something they would come over and take the time to explain to her what she was looking at, and helped her to get involved and learn through curiosity, touch, play & exploration.
8. Forum Algarve
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 473 reviews
Located on the western entrance of Faro, just 5 minutes from the airport, Forum Algarve is one of the largest shopping centers in the region. With 120 shops, including 20 restaurants and 5 cinema screens, a Hypermarket and a parking area for 2.250 vehicles, it is a landmark project that has rapidly become an obligatory stop for many thousands of local consumers, as well as tourists. Forum Algarve's architectural concept was inspired by the regional lifestyle, in an open-air space that makes the best of the Algarve's sunny days. The materials used in its conception reflect Faro's history and traditional style. The shopping center has prestigious brands with renown names like Mango, Gant, Zara, Cortefiel, Sportzone, C&A, Nespresso, Fnac, Samsung and GMS Apple Store, as well a medical clinic and a pharmacy. The Cinemas NOS have 5 screens with the most modern sound and image technology, and the movies are all displayed in the original language. To complement the commercial offer, the Shopping Center also has 20 restaurants ready to satisfy the most demanding gastronomic needs, from international fast-food to typical Portuguese cuisine. For the comfort and convenience of tourist visitors of Forum Algarve, the shopping center also provide a service of flight information connected to Faro Airport, a check-in point to print the boarding pass for free, train and bus tickets and lockers for luggage.
Reviewed By LuizDutraNeto - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
For a small city with a population of around 170,000 inhabitants, it was quite a surprise to find such a superb shopping mall as "Fórum Algarve" in Faro! Just off the city center, the mall has plenty of parking places, large corridors and an excellent variety of shops. Its food court averages to the best ones I've ever seen. Anyway, I don't think you came all the way down to Faro to visit a shopping mall, as they are just about the same all over the world. But, staying in Faro for a few days, I had enough time to visit "Fórum Algarve"and, not surprisingly, did some shopping and even dined! Enjoy!
9. Capela dos Ossos
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 179 reviews
Reviewed By belgianguy1 - Bruges, Belgium
A chapel full of bones and skulls, how cool is that...apparently when the cemetary was full they unearthed the bones and displayed them here...1250 skeletons in all... access is through the Carmo church... there's a small 2 euro fee to enter
10. Muralhas de Faro
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 114 reviews
Reviewed By LuizDutraNeto - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The "Muralhas de Faro" are also known as the "Muralhas de Vila Adentro". Since the Roman times in the Iberian Peninsula, these awesome oval shaped Walls protect the historical center of Faro, the so called "Vila Adentro". As everything else, they have undergone, along the centuries, many enlargements, reconstructions, restorations and, surprisingly, a great part of it has survived up to our days. An important chapter of Faro's history has been written in these magnificent Walls. They witnessed wars, invasions, reconquests, pirates and even an earthquake! Amazing resilience! Check the Walls and its three remaining gates: "Arco da Vila" and the adjoining "Porta Árabe" (at the Arch's end), "Arco do Repouso" e "Portas do Mar" (also known as "Porta Nova"). Enjoy!
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