9 Amazing Things to See & What To Do in Faro, Portugal

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You found us and you’re now wonder what are the amazing things to see in Faro, Portugal? No matter whether you’re spending just the day in Faro or a week, this guide will have some of the things you can’t miss whilst visiting.

Faro is the Algave’s capital and located in the Southern region of Portugal near the coast. It is such a beautiful town with lots of history and culture hidden beneath the seams.

Our trip was a spontaneous 4 day (long weekend) trip that we took but we would love to go back and get some more exploring under our belt.

We would recommend around 2 days to visit Faro if you’re in a rush but 3-5 days is optimal to make the most of the town and relax too.

We created this guide to show you our top 9 best things to do when you visit Faro, Portugal. At the end you will also find some special Faro bonuses waiting for you to see.

We loved our trip especially with the amazing Faro weather all year round. The town is the right size for you to walk around and see the sights which is great when you’re budget travellers like us.

Our Faro must see list can give you a good look into what Faro has to offer you. From beautiful buildings to pure blue water, not to mention some top places to go for food and stunning boutique hotels to choose from. Here we go, here’s our top list of what to do in Faro Portugal.

View of Faro from above which shows the beautiful blue sea and greenery it has to offer.

What To Do in Faro for First Time Visitors

1. The Old Town

Wandering the streets in Faro, Portugal is one of the best things to do when you visit which is why it has made our top 9 things to do.

There is no way you can visit Faro without having a wander around its Old Town Faro. It dates back to more than 2,000 years, the beautiful cobblestoned streets makes you feel as though you’ve been transported back in time.

It is worth having a wander around the ancient city, getting yourself lost down many of the alleys and passageways.

For those that are interested in architecture, you can stroll around the old city in Faro and marvel at the variety of styles that make up this beautiful town including gothic and baroque.

There are plenty of small shops and cafes for you to stop and pick up some gifts for friends & family or sit down and enjoy a drink in the shade from the hot sun.

It is also one of the best places to stay in Faro because you’re right in the centre of everything so you will be able to reach a lot of the attractions easily.

2. Benagil Caves

These caves are not in Faro itself but it is well worth taking a day trip out to the caves especially as it is one of the Algave’s most Instagrammable spots.

It is one of the top 5 things to do in Portugal’s Faro drawing tourists from all over the world. If you want to visit then it is best to head down early so that you don’t find lots of tourists in your snaps and you get to enjoy the beauty at your own pace.

One of the best things to do in Faro, Portugal is to visit the Benagil Caves. This image shows the beauty of the caves with the sun shining through one of the holes in the cave.

The caves are located just from the small fishing village Benagil and it is an incredible place to enjoy the cave formations and soak up some of the Portuguese sun.

Whilst the cave doesn’t look too far, it is best not to swim there as the current can be particularly strong around the area.

It is best to hop on one of the many boats and be able to enjoy the caves safely. You can find a detailed guide about the caves and how to get there here. Whilst you’re visiting the Benagil Caves, you may want to extend it into a day trip from Faro to Lagos or Albufeira.

3 Best Benagil Caves Tours:

3. Eva Rooftop Bar

So many people recommended this to us when we got to Faro and even when we mentioned we were going to Portugal.

We can’t agree more that it is definitely well worth a visit. This had to be on our top things to do in Faro purely because it just screams relaxation or partying depending on the time you visit.

The views from Eva's Rooftop which overlooks the Ria Formosa lagoon. You won't be stuck on what to do in Faro because you could spend hours here drinking cocktails and enjoying the DJ set and rooftop swimming pool.

The rooftop bar can be found in the AP Eva Senses and features a swimming pool. They often have a DJ set on the go at the top whilst you marvel at the stunning views of Faro and the marina.

There is no entry to get in but you will definitely want to get yourself a cocktail whilst you’re up there. In completely honest, if we visit Faro again, this is where we’re going to stay because we enjoyed it that much!

Check Prices & Availability for AP Eva Senses Here!

4. Dolphin Watching

You will be overwhelmed by the amount of boats that offer various trips including dolphin watching. This is one of the best things to see in Faro and Portugal in general especially if you’ve never seen dolphins before.

Head down to the marina and you will have your pick of the lot. The boat tours are usually for a few hours so you can easily fit this in around exploring the old town of Faro.

However, bear in mind that it is not a guarantee that you will see dolphins so you will need to check when you’re travelling to see whether it’s a good season for them.

With any trips like this, it’s always a risk that you may not see the animal but it is still worth taking the opportunity to see the sights from a boat and top up on your tan whilst you’re at it.

When you’re finished being out at sea you will be docked up and only a short walk from the town centre where you can enjoy the rest of your day doing whatever is next on your list or just have a night out in the town.

BEST DOLPHIN WATCHING TOURS FROM FARO

5. Enjoy the Portuguese Cuisine

Portuguese cuisine is one of the best out there especially for meat lovers. Faro is no exception and will also offer a wide variety of fresh Portuguese seafood dishes.

There are plenty of restaurants in Faro’s old town so make sure to try as much of the traditional Portuguese food as you can.

Whilst we were exploring Faro, one of our favourite restaurants in Old Town Faro was The Old Tavern. We got to try quite a few different Portuguese dishes here through the tapas and it was such a pleasant atmosphere sitting outside and enjoying the sun!

Not only this but they also introduced us to the local beer Sagres and some liquor too. We had a very good time here and would recommend anyone to visit.

Two pints of Sagres at the Old Tavern in Faro.

6. Visit a beach… or two

Best beaches near or around Faro are not hard to find. With local transport it is more than easy to get there too. Bus and taxis are the best way to get around if you’re trying to get out of Faro’s old town.

One of the best beaches in our opinion would be Cabo de Santa Maria. The reason for this is because on a beautiful day (which isn’t hard to find in Faro) it can offer some beautiful pictures with the pure white lighthouse next to the blue sea.

One of the most beautiful beaches in Faro where you can see the lagoon and the fishing boats across the beach and in the shallows of the water.

Another beach in Faro that is worth a mention is Praia de Faro which we accidentally stumbled upon. It is a beautiful beach on the lagoon and runs for 5K so you won’t be short on choice of where to stop off.

Faro has many beaches to visit all worth going to so if you’re on a short break away like we were we would recommend going to at least one. Make sure you don’t miss out on the beauty of a Faro beach.

7. Faro Cathedral

Igreja de Santa Maria cathedral with Amy standing in front of it taking photos

One of the top Faro tourist attractions is the Faro Cathedral or as the locals call it, Igreja de Santa Maria. It sits in a beautiful part of Faro surrounded by old and amazing buildings. The beautiful architecture is an incredible thing to see in Faro, Portugal and well worth visiting if you have enough time.

With so much history that Faro holds, the cathedral was there for a lot of it but not only does it hold a big part of Faro, it also is a national monument of Portugal.

After taking it all in and seeing the other buildings around it you have a pick of many different restaurants to enjoy for lunch or dinner.

8. Ria Formosa Lagoon

The lagoon is a beautiful walk, perfect for some peace and quiet or a nice walk with your other half. Alternatively, imagine having fun and kayaking around Ria Formosa and creating new memories together!

Here you can have a few drinks and something to eat whilst you enjoy the weather looking over and seeing some local fishermen out doing their thing.

Here you’ll feel a weird calm all around and there is no rush to do anything. You can get here easy by taking a bus or if you’re up for it you could go for a nice long walk.

In all fairness the lagoon is just perfect to get away from everything and relax. You really can just recharge here and get some really nice photos at the same time. In our opinion, this is one of the best things to see in Faro, Portugal and something that you should not miss!

If you’re looking to get a guided tour of the infamous Ria Formosa Lagoon then there are plenty of speedboat tours that you can join. This is a great way to learn more about the lagoon and the impact it has on the wildlife and ecosystem within the Algarve.

BEST RIA FORMOSA TOURS FROM FARO

9. Faro Marina

How about going down to the marina and enjoying a few drinks looking over some cool looking boats dreaming about buying one and sailing off into the sunset?

If you’re looking for a bit more than just sitting looking out at the marina then you can also look into renting out some equipment to go out from the marina.

If you don’t trust yourself driving a jet ski etc then this is also the place where you can book your boat trip to see the dolphins.

Here you’re a 2 minute walk away from the centre of the town so after you have enjoyed the marina you don’t need to travel far to enjoy the nightlife or find somewhere to eat. It is all within walking distance for you. This is one the best parts about Faro because everything you need is right there and easy to get to.

Where to Stay in Faro Map

7 Special Faro Tips

One of the beautiful historic buildings in Faro Old Town.

We could go on and on about the things you could do in faro but we feel that if you tick off these 9 you could move on to the next place and be happy with what you have seen.

One thing we will say is you must try the local food and drink! Liam has said he would go back just for that alone.

Now as promised we also have bonus tips for visiting Faro. These are just small things to take into consideration when you’re visiting Faro.

We gave these tips specifically for Faro but honestly you can use them wherever you end up going so they’re more of bonus travel tips as a whole.

Whether you go to Faro or not they can still be good for you in the future so keep a note of them.

Use public transport.
Ask the locals for a good place to eat (they know what they’re talking about!)
You don’t need a lot of money to enjoy your trip as it is easy to explore Faro on a budget.
Try to learn some phrases in the local language like asking for the menu in a restaurant.
Don’t be scared to go off the beaten track to explore.
Visit during the off peak season to make the most of your time in Faro.
Rent a car to visit other parts of the Algarve.

Make the Most of the Best Things to See in Faro Now!

Portugal is a beautiful country with so much to offer! These are just some of the reasons to visit Faro but it truly is a beautiful place.

We’ve been lucky enough to visit Lisbon and Faro in Portugal so we would recommend this stunning country to everyone.

Amy & Liam waiting for their tapas at the Old Tavern Faro and enjoying a pint of Sagres after their flight coming into Faro.

If you’re looking for where is best to visit in Portugal then have a look at Anywhere Rooms guide to 25 Best places to visit in Portugal!

We would highly recommend visiting Portugal as a whole. Many people have done a travelling holiday and rented a camper van then travelled as much of Portugal as possible. In our opinion that is the dream!

There are so many things to do in Faro Portugal we have just scratched the surface with it. Not only that but Faro is a good hub for exploring outside of the area because there are things around Faro to do as well.

If you choose to go there for a bit longer than we did and find yourself looking for other things to visit don’t worry because there is plenty to do around Faro as well.

One of the beautiful buildings in Faro Old Town which shows the cobblestoned streets and the beauty of the old city.

Faro is often one of the cheapest places to go when you’re checking Skyscanner.

You will often find good flights especially for long weekend visits. This is normally how we get the best for our money when travelling. We recommend spending at least 3 days in Faro to make the most of your time!

We hope that you enjoy your trip to Faro and experience some of the incredible things that the town has to offer.

If you’re also looking for a quick getaway and are not sure on what to pack then check out how to pack lightly guide so you don’t have to pay extra for baggage.

Faro Resources

Lisbon Resources

Faro FAQs

Is there a lot to do in Faro Portugal?

Based on other destinations in Portugal, there aren’t a huge amount of things to do. However, if you’re looking to take a trip to relax and do some sightseeing then this will be the perfect spot for you. There are quite a few different day trips that you can take from Faro and there’s enough to do to keep you occupied for 3 or 4 days.

How many days in Faro is enough?

Depending on how many days you have to spare for travelling, 2 days in Faro is plenty if you’re in a bit of a rush but we would recommend spending between 3-4 days to really make the most of everything that Faro has to offer.

Is Faro Worth Visiting?

Yes Faro is absolutely worth visiting and has some beautiful natural beautiful available for tourists. In particular it is worth visiting for Ria Formosa and the Portuguese food alone!

9 Amazing Things to See & What To Do in Faro, Portugal