Destination of the month with easyJet | |
Visit Faro - the gateway to the Algarve
Thousands of tourists pass through Faro each year en route to resorts on the Algarve – but there’s no need to hurry through! Those that choose to linger in the region’s capital will find the city itself well worth a visit.
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Most of the sightseeing opportunities are in Faro’s walled old town or Cidade Velha. The old town can be entered through the Arco da Vila, a beautiful 18th century gate beside the tourist office. From here the Rua do Município leads to Largo da Sé, a tree-lined square and home to the Romanesque-Gothic cathedral, or Sé. An earthquake which hit Portugal’s capital Lisbon in 1755 nearly destroyed the building, but luckily for the modern-day traveller it was later rebuilt. Tourists can climb to the top for the views of both Faro and the nearby coastline.
Other attractions worthy of a visit include the Igreja do Carmo, a church which features a chapel whose walls are clad with bones of monks buried at a neighbouring cemetery – it may sound eerie, but don’t let that put you off, it’s a terrific sight.
The old town is also home to the Museu Arqueológico, the Algarve’s best-known museum which includes a collection of Roman, Moorish and medieval remains and is housed in a former 16th century convent. You can leave the old town through the Arco do Repouso or “Gate of Rest” where you can visit the Igreja de São Francisco, another church.
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If it’s nature you’re after the nearby Ria Formosa nature reserve (about 7km from the city) plays host to a large network of salt marshes which is an important habitat for reptiles and migrating birds. Beach-lovers have to travel a few miles to the Praia De Faro which lies beyond the airport. Alternatively, for a more remote beach destination take the ferry from Porta Nova ferry pier to Ilha da Barreta, a pretty little island covered in wild flowers and offering another long sandy beach.
Shoppers should head for Rua Santo Antonio and the Rua Francisco Gomes or the Largo de Mercado produce market which is open daily. After you’ve shopped till you’ve dropped, the city has some decent nightlife thanks to the student population at the University of the Algarve. If you’re up for a big night out head for the Rua do Prior and the narrow alleys off of Rua Conselheiro Bivar and Rua Infante Dom Henrique. Most nightclubs don’t get going till late – around 11pm or midnight; bars are open from lunchtime until the early hours of the morning. Try the Upa Upa Café and Bar on Rua Conselheiro Bivar, Dux nightclub on Rue do Prior or the Fashion Kaffe.
Faro is at its hottest in July, August and September, boasting average daytime temperatures of around 72°F and little or no rain. The winters are warm here too with temperatures topping 60°F most months and very little rainfall.
Accommodation in Faro ranges from luxurious hotels such as the Hotel Eva (rooms from about 85 Euros per night) or Ria Park Hotel and Spa (rooms start at about 150 Euros) to mid-range and budget accommodation. For the budget conscious traveller single, double or triple rooms can be booked in hostels such as Residencial Mestre D Avis or Hostel Frangaria.