Faro walking tour & city guide
The Algarve's walled capital beside the Ria Formosa lagoon.
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Faro is the capital of the Algarve, Portugal's sunny southern coast, and the arrival point for most visitors through its airport. Many travelers rush straight to the beaches, but the city has a charming walled old town and sits on the edge of the beautiful Ria Formosa lagoon.
The old town
The Cidade Velha, Faro's old town, is entered through the Arco da Vila, a neoclassical gate topped by a stork's nest. Inside the medieval walls, cobbled streets lead to the cathedral, whose bell tower offers wonderful views over the rooftops, the marina and the lagoon.
The Igreja do Carmo hides one of Faro's most unusual sights: the Capela dos Ossos, a small chapel whose walls are lined with the bones and skulls of over a thousand monks.
Ria Formosa
The Ria Formosa Natural Park is a protected lagoon of channels, salt marshes and barrier islands, home to flamingos and many other birds. Boats leave from Faro's harbor for islands like Ilha Deserta and Ilha da Culatra, with long, uncrowded sandy beaches.
The marina and the gardens along it are the center of town life, especially in the evening.
Visiting tips
Faro is a good base for exploring the eastern Algarve, including the fishing town of Olhão and the elegant riverside town of Tavira. The Algarve enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine a year; spring and autumn are ideal for sightseeing.
Top sights in Faro
- 1
Arco da Vila
The grand gate to the old town.
- 2
Faro Cathedral
A bell tower with views over the lagoon.
- 3
Capela dos Ossos
A chapel lined with human bones.
- 4
Ria Formosa Natural Park
A lagoon of islands, birds and beaches.
- 5
Ilha Deserta
A remote barrier island beach.
- 6
Faro Marina
The lively harbor and gardens.
Food markets & where to eat in Faro
Mercado Municipal de Faro
The city's market with fresh fish and local products.
Old town restaurants
Traditional dishes inside the medieval walls.
Olhão fish market
A famous market a short trip away.
Island beach restaurants
Seafood on the Ria Formosa islands.
Food to try in Faro
Cataplana
A seafood stew cooked in a copper clam-shaped pan.
Grilled sardines
A summer classic.
Clams from the Ria Formosa
Often cooked with garlic and coriander.
Dom Rodrigo
A traditional Algarve sweet made of egg threads and almond.
Opening hours and prices change often. Please check with each place before you visit.
Plan your trip to Faro
Enjoyed the walk? Here is everything you need to see it for real.
- Hotels in FaroCompare places to stay and prices.
- Tours & ticketsWalking tours, museums and day trips in Faro.
- eSIM for PortugalStay online from the moment you land.
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