In this guide, we’re going to share how to get the most out of one day exploring Faro, Portugal. This city is the capital of Algarve, Portugal’s southern region that’s famous for its coastline of beautiful beaches and rocky cliffs.
Faro has the biggest airport in Algarve, so a lot of visitors will likely fly in here. Or you can also get here by train from other cities in Portugal and Spain.
Many people might hop right in a car and head straight to the more scenic parts of the coast, but Faro itself is worth a day of exploring if you have the time.
While you won’t find any seaside cliffs here, a stretch of barrier islands creates the Ria Formosa, a maze of protected marshland and lagoons around the city. And the barrier islands provide some long sandy beaches.
This strategic location has made Faro a safe harbor for boats and settlement for thousands of years. Falling under the rule of the Phoenicians, the Romans, the Moors, the Portuguese, and more.
And all that history makes the city a melting pot of various cultures.
So here’s our guide to the ultimate 1-day itinerary to explore the best of Faro, Portugal.
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Explore Old Town
First up, one of the must-do things in Faro is to explore the old town. It’s built like a fortress, with impressive stone walls and archways. The most famous and grand is the Arco da Vila, which faces the harbor side. But there are several other arch entrances around the perimeter.
And inside the walls, the narrow cobblestone streets are very photogenic and fun to wander through for a bit.
Probably the most famous landmark in the old town is the Cathedral of Faro (Sé de Faro). While rather plain-looking from the outside, it’s a unique piece of history with a lot to enjoy.
For just 5€ per adult, you get access to the stunning interior of the cathedral, a small museum, and the rooftop of the bell tower. The church interior has a variety of different architecture, artwork, and relics. We loved admiring this beautiful 17th-century organ, which is curiously decorated with Chinese-inspired artwork that apparently was in style during its creation.
And a climb up to the top of the bell tower provides a unique view of Faro and the surrounding area.
And in one corner of the courtyard, there’s a small bone shrine made with literal human bones.
But not to be confused with the larger Chapel of Bones in town. Which we will get to a little later. But if you decide to skip that, this smaller shrine at least gives you a little glimpse of this unique style.
Other notable highlights in the Old Town are the Municipal Museum and the Bishop’s Palace.
And if you are looking for a restaurant in Old Town, check out Cidade Velha. They have a rooftop and a patio outside the Cathedral. And the seafood-focused menu looks delicious. We didn’t actually eat here, but it remains top of our list for next time.
Churrasqueira Recife
Instead, we had our sights set on a more affordable local gem called Churrasqueira Recife.
On the way to the restaurant, we enjoyed some street art and a feel for other parts of the city. Similar to other cities in Portugal, we appreciate that it doesn’t feel overly polished. The colorful buildings, street art, and stone sidewalks give the city a lovable energy, but things are also a bit rough around the edges. Making it feel lived-in and not like some manufactured facade just for tourists.
Okay, but now onto the reason we left the waterfront. This restaurant specializes in the African-spiced Piri Piri chicken that’s become a local staple in southern Portugal. And while we have loved lots of Portuguese foods, they tend to be very conservative with their seasonings and spices.
So we were excited to try some Piri Piri. The spice blend used on the chicken is so flavorful, with just a little heat too. When you see tons of locals coming by for takeout, you know it’s a good spot. And so affordable too. We got a whole bird, plus rice, salad, fries, and two beers for like 23 Euros.
Chapel of Bones
Next, when you’re over in this part of town, it’s not far to go check out the most famous Chapel of Bones.
It’s found at Igreja da Ordem Terceira de Nossa Senhora do Monte do Carmo. This is the even more impressive and morbidly curious shrine of human remains in town. It’s only 2€ per person and worth checking out if you have the time.
But, turns out human bones aren’t exactly the best building material, as plenty of them are crumbling a bit. But nonetheless, still a very interesting site to visit.
And you can explore the church here too, but it’s not overly exceptional by European standards.
Ria Formosa Natural Park Boat or Ferry Tour
Then you can circle back down to the waterfront and hop on a boat or kayak to explore Ria Formosa Natural Park.
This area offers a great chance to get out into nature and see wildlife. These areas are especially important for migratory birds.
We looked into various boat tours and kayak tours, and found prices around 30-60 € per person.
But ultimately, we decided to save some money and just take the ferry instead. It’s a much cheaper way to get out on the water, at just 4€ per person for a round-trip ticket. You can just buy your ticket on the ferry.
The ferry takes you to and from Faro Island. Along this 20-minute ride, you navigate the main channel through Ria Formosa.
It’s not going to provide the same chances to really explore the smaller nooks and track down wildlife sightings. But for a fraction of the price, we still saw some cool birds and enjoyed the scenery. And seeing the planes fly right overhead is pretty cool too.
Faro Beach
Out at Faro Island, you can spend some time on the beach, and there’s a handful of bars and restaurants. While it doesn’t have the rocky cliffs that Algarve is so famous for, we still thought Faro Beach was beautiful. It’s busiest right across from the ferry dock, but it’s about 5 km of beautiful soft sand, so if you want to walk a bit, you can easily find a little slice of beach all to yourself.
On the outer beach, you’ll have bigger waves and colder water, and the inner beach is calmer and better for kids.
Or if you are considering a boat tour, some visit the other beaches on more remote barrier islands.
And whenever you’re ready, you can hop on the next ferry back to Faro.
Bar Boheme/ Tv. Dos Arcos
When we got back to Faro, we were feeling a bit hungry and thirsty, so we set out to explore the city a bit more.
Just next to the Marina, we popped into Bar Boheme, which is one of the few craft beer places in Faro. And after drinking Sagres and Super Bock exclusively for like a month straight, it was nice to have some more beer variety.
Then, we headed to a pedestrian street called Tv. dos Arcos. It is one of the best spots to find a good restaurant for dinner. We tried Travessa Latina and got some Venezuelan food. Their Arepas were not quite what we expected, but still tasty.
And with all the bars around, got the sense that this alleyway was the prime spot for nightlife and planned to come back later.
Rooftop Bar For Sunset
As the day winds down into the late afternoon. We recommend grabbing a spot at one of the many rooftop bars for sunset. There were honestly a ton to choose from so it was hard to decide.
We went to the LAB Terrace, which is a trendy bar right between old town and the water. I wish we showed up a little earlier because it was hard to get seats. But no matter, they had some pumping music to enjoy as golden rays over the water turned to a pink and purple sunset.
But there’s some other rooftops we were considering, especially if you’re looking for a full dinner menu.
You could check out Terrazzo or B-Heaven Faro.
Nightlife
And if you’re still not tired and looking for a little nightlife action. Head back to the alleyway we were in earlier, Tv. dos Arcos. It’s got some great bars for live music, karaoke, and more. And the perfect way to cap off a day exploring Faro.
If you’re planning on exploring more of Algarve, check our top 10 things to do across this beautiful region.
Here is a breakdown of our 1-Day Itinerary for exploring Faro, Portugal
- Walk around Old Town
- Faro Cathedral
- Municipal Museum
- Churrasqueira Recife (for Piri Piri Chicken)
- Bone Chapel
- Ferry to Faro Island (hang at Faro Beach)
- Bar Boheme (if you enjoy craft beer)
- Travessa Latina for dinner
- Lab Terrace for Sunset
- Tv. dos Arcos for nightlife
Map of Faro, Portugal Area
Use this map to find all the top things to do around Faro.
Where To Stay In Faro, Portugal
3HB Faro – Best Luxury Stay
If you’re looking to splurge, 3HB Faro is a beautiful five-star hotel in the heart of the city, complete with a rooftop pool, spa, and stylish rooms.
Roots Hotel Apartments – Best Mid-Tier Option
A great choice for a comfortable stay with a little extra space. The modern apartments are centrally located and make a convenient base for exploring Faro on foot.
Faro Coast Guest House – Best Budget Option
For travelers looking to save money, this highly rated guesthouse offers a simple, affordable stay in a great location near Faro’s historic center.
Use the map below to find other great places to stay in Faro, Portugal.
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