Car Hire Faro - Mini guide to Faro
The Algarve’s principle town is a busy hub with an international airport and good tourist infrastructure. It also has some fascinating history and ancient buildings to boast of. Plentiful sun and affordable accommodation make it a popular destination.
The Old City is delightful, with narrow lanes, tiled walls, and some really historic archictecture. Unfortunately a combination of the Crusaders invasion and an earthquake in the 18th Century flattened some parts, but the town square retains its ancient charm. There’s a lovely 18th century Episcopal Palace here and a 13th century Cathedral. Parts of the original Roman walls also surround the city.
Faro has an important Maritime history and next to the small boat basin bordering the Praade Dom Francisco Gomes is a small naval museum. The city’s archaeological museum, housed in a 16th century former convent, is worth visiting.
The Algarve is known for its laid back atmosphere and unhurried pace, and this can best be experienced dining alfresco on countless pavement cafes, enjoying fresh seafood and bountiful Portuguese wine.
The Algrave’s coastline is spectacularly beautiful with dramatic cliffs, secluded beaches and rolling hills. Lagos enjoys an appealing coastal location and attracts the crowds. It also boasts many historic buildings and Renaissance or Baroque churches. Portimão has a cosmopolitan atmosphere, with golden sands framed by cliffs and rocks, a rich heritage of historical monuments and the eternal natural beauty of the Rio de Alvor.
Sagres is dramatically situated on the cliff-edges of mainland Europe’s western-most point. It was here that, five centuries ago, Prince Henry set up a school of navigation which played a crucial role in the Portuguese discoveries.
Faro international airport is the main gateway to the Algarve, most flights arrive from European cities, with additional charter flights in the season. Visitors from further a field connect via Lisbon, Madrid or London. A regular train service also arrives from Lisbon.
More details on the Algarve and Portugal.
