Igreja de São Pedro
Parish church on Largo de São Pedro in the new town, just a few minutes from Igreja do Carmo.
Portugal
Faro
CityCulture
Faro is the capital of the Algarve and for most, merely the airport. Yet, the city boasts a tranquil, walled old town with a cathedral, a lively pedestrian zone, and right on its doorstep, the lagoons of the Ria Formosa.
by Felix Gillen
Faro is the capital of the Algarve and for most, merely the airport. Yet, the city boasts a tranquil, walled old town with a cathedral, a lively pedestrian zone, and right on its doorstep, the lagoons of the Ria Formosa.
Sights in Faro
Discover the most important sights and attractions
Natural Park of Ria Formosa
The lagoon landscape of salt marshes, channels, and sand islands starts right by the old town. Boat tours depart from the port to the islands Ilha Deserta, Ilha do Farol, or Ilha da Culatra. It's a great area to see flamingos, spoonbills, and other water birds.
Church
Igreja do Carmo and Capela dos Ossos
18th-century Baroque church with an opulently gilded interior. In the courtyard behind it lies a small chapel whose walls are lined with skulls and bones.
Church
Sé de Faro
The cathedral in the walled old town was built after the 1249 conquest and later extensively renovated. Inside are Azulejos, gilded altars, a small museum, and a Baroque organ. From the bell tower, you'll overlook the old town and the lagoon.
Historic Landmark
City Wall and Arco do Repouso
Cidade Velha is still almost entirely surrounded by its wall. Through gates like Arco do Repouso or Arco da Vila, you enter the quiet streets surrounding the cathedral. In spring, storks nest on roofs and towers.
Dining & Drinks
Spirit
Under the Moors, Faro was an important port, falling to Portugal in 1249 among the last to fall. The 1755 earthquake destroyed much of the city; many churches were then rebuilt in Baroque. In restaurants, fish and seafood from the lagoon dominate, especially mussels and oysters.
Traveling
Explore the center on foot. From the airport, city buses and taxis run to the center in a few minutes. From the train station, there are regional trains along the Algarve and long-distance trains to Lisbon. Boats to the islands depart from the port next to the old town, more frequently in summer than in winter.
Accommodations in Faro
Find perfect stay in Faro
Booking.com* (Affiliate link)
Search Hotels
Agoda* (Affiliate link)
Search Hotels
Airbnb
Vacation Rentals
* Affiliate link: if you book through it, we earn a small commission. The price stays the same for you.
Campgrounds in Faro
Find perfect campground in Faro
Plan your trip to Faro
Save places, build a route and plan your city trip, all in one place.
- 1
- 2
Plan your trip
The planner sorts stops, days and budget. Plan together in real time.
- 3
Use it on the road
Download the guide to your phone and use it on site, even offline.
