A minute of History
Once loved by the Romans and later by the Moors, Faro is the provincial capital of the Algarve. In this bustling little city of some 30,000 permanent residents, you can sit at a cafe, sample the wine, and watch yesterday and today collide, as old men leading donkeys brush past German backpackers in shorts. Since Afonso III drove out the Moors for the last time in 1266, Faro has been Portuguese.
Where to go
After a swim off the beach, head for one of the numerous cafés and restaurants that line the coast. From Faro take a day trip 10 km north to Estoi, where you will find the Palacio do Visconde de Estoi, a charming late 18th-century palace with formal gardens. A half-mile walk then takes you to the 1st-century Roman ruins at Milreu.
Entertainment
Faro offers a wealth of restaurants and cafés, fine beaches and a beautiful Italianate theatre hosting a full programme of drama, music and dance. And the area is paradise for golfers with around 19 courses on the coastal stretch between Faro and Albufeira.
Art and Culture
Faro has a nicely shabby lived-in feel. Entering through the Renaissance Arco da Vila, which cuts through the ramparts of the old city into the spacious open square, visit the town’s 13th-century cathedral. Note the jumble of architectural styles, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque, the fine azulejos and gilded woodwork and the red chinoiserie organ to one side of the nave.
Alternative Activities
The Ria Formosa lagoon lies a short distance west of Faro. It is a large nature reserve and resting place for hundreds of different migrating birds. Take a bus or a ferry from near the Arco da Porta Nova out to Praia de Farol. With miles of golden sand, this spectacular beach has ample facilities for aquatic sports like windsurfing.