Faro, Eastern Algarve, Portugal
Much more than just a gateway to the Eastern Algarve...
See our rental accommodation near Faro
Faro is more than just an airport and gateway to the Algarve. The walled town is still intact and features architectural styles from many centuries. Inside the walls, you will find the Cathedral, an impressive square, the archeological museum, an art gallery, an antiques shop, cafés and restaurants, and several families of nesting storks. Outside the walled town are the pleasant open spaces of the park and marina, often enlivened by free entertainment on summer evenings. The old town has many charming buildings and is home to a cobbled pedestrian shopping area complete with terrace cafés and restaurants. Faro has a brand new and excellent municipal market where all manner of fresh produce can be bought in abundance. And if its retail therepy you need, Faro boasts a big new shopping complex complete with multiscreen cinema (mostly English Language films) just outside the city centre. And for the culture vultures, there are two theatres, both with good mixed programmes of plays, music and dance. Look out also for spectaculars hosted in the impressive new 'Stadium Algarve' on the outskirts of the city. Or if you just want to head for the beach, ferries from outside the walled town take you across the lagoons of the Ria Formosa Natural Park to the Blue Flag beaches of Farol, Isla Desserta and Isla de Faro.
History
The settlement of Faro pre-dates Roman times, when it was known by the name of Ossónoba. It fell in to the hands of the Moors in 713 AD, and remained so for over 500 years. It returned to Portuguese dominion in 1249, Liberated by King D. Afonso III. It received its charter as a city in 1540 and became capital of the Algarve in 1834.
See the rental accommodation on Rent in The Algarve
Facilities
| tourist office |
YES - in walled town, though not great |
| train station |
YES - connection to Lisbon |
| bus station |
YES - connection to airport and rest of Portugal |
| ferry service |
YES - to Ihla de Faro and Ilha Desserta |
| internet cafe |
YES - several |
| foreign language newspapers |
YES |
| post office |
YES - by cathedral |
| cash machine (ATM) |
YES - lots |
| supermarket |
YES - Jumbo, Pingo Doce (x2), Modelo |
| food market |
YES - big, new, squeeky clean |
|
| cinema |
YES - multiscreen in Faro Shopping |
| theatre |
YES - 1 new, 1 old, both good |
| health centre |
YES |
| hospital |
YES - big, serves Eastern Algarve |
| chemist / pharmacy |
YES - lots |
| museum |
YES - archeological in walled town |
| art gallery |
YES - several in walled town |
| marina |
YES |
| castle |
YES - walled city |
| shopping mall |
YES - Forum Algarve |
|
Return to 'Towns - Eastern Algarve, Portugal'
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