What to do in Faro, Portugal?

Faro is a coastal city located in the Algarve region of Southern Portugal, renowned for its picture-perfect beaches, award-winning cuisine, culture, and its vibrant nightlife. Visiting Faro is an experience like no other, a place where visitors can unwind, explore, and take part in a host of exciting activities. So, if you’re planning a trip to Faro, you may be wondering what there is to do. In this article, we will share a comprehensive guide on all the unique and spectacular things that you can do during your stay in Faro.

Explore the Historic Quarters of Faro

One of the top attractions on a visit to Faro is taking in the Old Town by wandering along the cobbled streets. The ancient alleys of Faro take visitors back in time; the architecture, the churches, and the old Roman walls create an atmosphere like no other. The most picturesque streets to explore include Rua da Misericórdia, Rua da Murtinha, and Farol da Trafaria. While exploriing the area, don’t forget to visit the Faro Cathedral, which remains one of the most recognizable landmarks of the city.

Visit Beaches Near Faro

Faro is located near some of the best and most beautiful beaches in all of Portugal. Some of the most popular beaches near Faro are Praia do Anixa, which features deep blue waters and picturesque cliffs, Praia do Barril, where visitors can take a ride on a miniature train to explore the beach, and Praia de São Rafael. Additionally, visitors looking for an isolated and secluded getaway should head to Praia da Marinha or Praia de Albandeira.

Tour the Salt Flats

Proudly standing tall and unrecognizable against the horizon of Faro’s blue skies are the famous Salinas da Ria Formosa, or Salt Flats. Boasting stunning views and offering birds-eye views of the Ria Canal and Atlantic Ocean, Salt Flats are a must-see while visiting Faro. The salt flats are registered as a Natural Park, visited by tourists looking to explore its lagoons, beaches, and salt marshes.

Essencial Shopping in Faro

Though the main shopping hub of Faro is centered around Rua Cândido dos Reis, dotted with vintage stores and fashionable boutiques, must-visit shopping destination for an authentic local experience is Mercado de Faro. Apart from being home to numerous independent retailers selling regional delicacies such as regional cheeses and meats, Mercado de Faro is also home to eateries serving drinks from authentic local healers.

Faro: Night Segway Tour with Cocktails

The ultimate way to explore Faro is its night Segway tour with cocktails. This 4-hour experience begins outside the city walls before heading towards the marina then along trails to the Atlantic coast. Cruise through this beautiful city while enjoying fresh seafood delicacies and cocktails stored in local bars. On the way back, visitors get gorgeous views of hills crowned in oranges trees. Every Thursday night visitors can join the local DJs at Penicheiro Klub for a unique nightlife experience. To enjoy this incredible tour of Faro on a segway while sipping on beverages, checkout GetYourGuide’s Faro: Night Segway Tour with Cocktails.

Scuba Diving at Ilha de Tavira

Ilha de Tavira is located just a 20-minute drive from Faro, at the entrance of Ria Formosa Natural Park. Also known as Ilha Deserta, it is an 11 kilometer long deserted beach surrounded by several sand banks where immerse yourself into marine life; stingrays, groupers, moray eels– they’re all just a short distance away in this diving paradise. Adventurers can enjoy anything from snorkeling tours and speedboat tours to sport fishing trips and SUP lessons.

Visit Boca do Rio Beach

Situated just 30 kilometers away from Faro lies Boca do Rio beach—a stunning marsh beach characterized by its peacefulness, golden sand and clear waters. Boasting plenty of green areas with Mediterranean pines and lush vegetation on either side of its beachfront line, Boca do Rio beach offers visitors some much needed respite from busy city life and an opportunity to relax or simply enjoy the view. Visitors can even explore the small islands located nearby like Armona Island or Culatra Island for yet another breath-taking adventure during their visit to Faro.

Golfing enthusiasts rejoice

Faro is renowned for being one of the golfing hubs in Europe for a good reason; there are numerous luxurious golf courses located in Faro perfect for golfing enthusiasts with breathtaking views over the Ria Formosa salt marshes and sparkling Atlantic Ocean. The courses provide some of the best golfing experiences that range from low-difficulty courses perfect for those just starting out to more advanced ones. Some popular courses include San Lorenzo Golf Course, Alamos Golf among others

Conclusion

Faro’s wealth of activities continue to amaze tourists all year round and these activities are enough to amuse visitors of all ages and interests. Whether you are planning to visit Faro on a business trip or pleasure holiday, one thing is certain—your experience will be unforgettable. To make your holiday extra special during your next visit do checkout GetYourGuide’s Faro: Night Segway Tour with Cocktails, an unforgettable experience that you won’t forget anytime soon!