Faro

A vacation in Faro means a vacation in the Algarve, because the district covers Portugal's entire south coast. Golden rocky coves near Lagos and Carvoeiro, the lagoon landscape of the Ria Formosa, lively resort towns like Albufeira, and a quiet, hilly interior all lie close together here.

Landscape and Location

The Faro district is identical to the Algarve region. In the west, at Cabo de São Vicente near Sagres, the land drops into the Atlantic in high cliffs, where the west coast and south coast meet. The central Algarve between Lagos and Albufeira is famous for its ocher-colored limestone cliffs, grottoes, and sandy coves. East of Faro the scenery changes: the Ria Formosa, a nature park of lagoons, sand islands, and salt marshes, stretches all the way to Tavira and Cacela. To the north, the Serra de Monchique and the Serra do Caldeirão shield the coast from cool winds and create the mild climate, with around 300 sunny days a year. In February, almond blossoms cover the hills like a white veil, and the interior is dotted with villages of whitewashed houses and delicate chimneys that recall the Moorish heritage. If you drive the coast from west to east, you'll experience very different landscapes over about 150 kilometers.

Algarve Destinations on the Coast

Albufeira, together with Olhos de Água, is the largest resort town, with an old town above the beach and a well-known nightlife strip. Portimão combines a traditional fishing town with Praia da Rocha, a long beach beneath cliffs; next door in Alvor, boardwalks lead through the dunes and lagoons. Lagos has an old town within old walls and a museum on the site of the former slave market, a dark chapter of the Age of Discovery. A few minutes away, bizarre rock arches rise from the sea at Ponta da Piedade. In Lagoa and Carvoeiro, a clifftop trail begins that leads to the Benagil Cave with its open dome. Quarteira and neighboring Vilamoura stand for marinas, golf, and long beaches; things get even more exclusive in Almancil, home to the Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago resorts.

Sights in Faro and the Interior

The district capital, Faro, is often seen merely as an airport city, yet it has a walled old town with a cathedral whose tower offers views across the lagoon. The chapel behind the Igreja do Carmo is lined with thousands of human bones. In Almancil, Baroque azulejos completely cover the interior of the Church of São Lourenço. In the interior, Silves is worth a visit: once the capital of Moorish Al-Gharb, it has a red sandstone castle. Loulé is known for its market hall, and in Monchique the fruit of the strawberry tree is distilled into the brandy Medronho. Tavira in the east, with its old bridge and many churches, is considered one of the most beautiful towns in the Algarve; from there boats cross to Ilha de Tavira, a sand island with a beach stretching for miles.

Food and Drink

The signature dish is cataplana, named after the clam-shaped copper pot in which fish, mussels, shrimp, or pork are stewed with tomatoes and peppers. In Portimão you eat grilled sardines at the harbor, and along the Ria Formosa, oysters and clams. Almonds, figs, and carob are turned into sweets such as colorfully shaped marzipan fruits and Dom Rodrigo, egg yolk threads wrapped in silver paper. Algarve oranges are in demand throughout the country, and the vineyards around Lagoa and Silves are producing increasingly good wines.

Getting Around and Best Time to Visit

Faro International Airport is served by many European cities. The toll highway A22 and the national road N125 run along the coast, and a regional train connects Lagos with Faro and Vila Real de Santo António on the Spanish border. Hikers follow the Via Algarviana through the interior or the Fishermen's Trail of the Rota Vicentina on the west coast. The best times to visit the Algarve are spring and fall, when it is pleasantly warm and the beaches are quieter. July and August are peak season, while winter is mild and well suited to golf and hiking.