Faro holidays

Faro takes you on a culinary journey with restaurants serving up tasty regional classics. There’s something to suit all taste buds whether you’re looking for a light bite with a cup of coffee or a three-course meal accompanied by a bottle of wine. If you’ve come here to try cataplana, we can’t recommend Chefe Branco enough. This fish stew served in a traditional clam-shaped pot takes centre stage on the menu with locals filling its tables every night. Those looking for a traditional sweet options should make a beeline for Quente & Frio where pastel de nata, Portugal’s version of a custard tart are in high demand. As for drinks, the region is known for its fine wines which go hand-in-hand with the city’s many seafood options. If you’re looking for an digestif, Licor de Medronho always goes down a treat. This white brandy produced in Monchique and known by locals as ‘Fire Water’ really packs a punch.

Unlike the rest of the Algarve, Faro isn’t known for its coastline with no beaches within walking distance. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t travel to its closest shores when you’re craving sand between your toes and salt water hitting your face. The Praia de Faro is your best option, considering it’s easily accessible from the city centre with a number of bus routes stopping here. With a laid-back atmosphere and five kilometres of sand to laze on, it’s hard to believe you’re just down the road from the region’s main airport.

This diverse city won’t disappoint. Keep your eyes peeled for Faro’s cathedral centrepiece, walk its atmospheric streets or see what’s on offer at the local market. Famed for its waterfront, its fishing day roots haven’t been lost with cafes and restaurants enticing you in with their seafood filled menus. This city is also a prime spot for exploring Ria Formosa’s wetlands and sandbars by boat with tours regularly departing from Faro.

Get lost in Faro’s vast history: With its history spanning across the Roman, medieval and Moorish periods, Faro is an ancient treasure trove. With a beautifully preserved Old Town filled with meandering cobbled streets and antique architecture demanding your attention, Portugal’s past is proudly on show. The cathedral is one of biggest attractions where holidaymakers can enjoy amazing panoramas of the city from the top. Encircled by Moorish walls, you can’t escape its bygone charm. You can also take advantage of Museu Municipal, which is filled with Roman artifacts, while its Chapel of Bones is one of Faro’s more fascinating historic finds.

Discover your scenic surroundings at Ria Formosa: As a getaway to Ria Formosa, you can also spend your time discovering this unique geographical location, all 18 acres of it that is. Declared one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Portugal, keep an eye out for the spot’s beautiful fauna and flora found among its woodlands, marshes, saltpans and lagoons. When you’re not taking in its stunning plant life, you’ll be amazed by its wildlife. Holidaymakers can also spot endangered species hiding among its vast greenery. In fact, this protected area has one of the largest populations of seahorses in the world.