Why you won't want to leave Faro when you travel to the Algarve
Although it seems incomprehensible, little do we pay attention to Lighthouse when planning our trip to the Algarve. We landed at Faro international airport thinking of the Atlantic, of the immense coastline from Lagos to Tavira , or perhaps in a boat or a classic convertible for rent to tour the coast. Faro goes unnoticed, but you don't know what you're missing. We tell you a few reasons:
THERE IS A BEACH HERE
We take it for granted that when we travel to the Algarve and go with the beach chip activated thinking of Lagos, Albufeira or Portimao . Perhaps it is time to drop anchor in Faro, which has its own beaches like the one that borders the lighthouse island , almost 5 kilometers long and very close to good restaurants where you can put on your boots. In Faro you can also bathe on an island that has a sea beach and an estuary at the same time. It's about the Culatra Island, which is part of the Ria Formosa Natural Park and which can be accessed by boat.
Culatra Island, in Faro
KAYAK CROSSING A NATURAL PARK
Approximately 60 kilometers separate Faro from the beautiful Tavira through the Ria Formosa Natural Park , a conglomeration of islands that separate the sea from the coast of southern Portugal. This Natural Park is the home to thousands of migratory birds and destination highly demanded by Portuguese nature lovers. From the Faro Marina Guided kayak routes (also in Spanish) are organized around the lagoon, the best way to discover the beauty of this whim of nature that few know from so close.
Ria of Formosa
THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF GETTING LOST ON A DESERT ISLAND
Neither noise, nor buildings that break with the harmony of the landscape, nor cars. Faro has in its domain a desert island to get lost without remorse or concern. It can be reached from Port of Faro by boat (obviously), a journey between marshes and canals to a small paradise where there is hardly a restaurant that, by the way, is not badly priced. The waters of this desert island, also known as Barreta Island , they are calm and of a scandalous crystalline so practicing snorkeling is a real pleasure. The sand is thin and the water quite cold.
Barreta Island in Faro
IT HAS ITS OWN OSSUARY
If you thought that Evora it was the only Portuguese city that had this eccentricity, we are sorry to tell you that you are wrong. You can find some more like Campo Maior in Alentejo and another in Faro . The latter is located inside the I Nossa Senhora do Carmo Church and was built at the beginning of the 19th century with the exhumed bones of Carmelite monks at a time when there was no more capacity in the city cemetery. More than 1,200 skulls fit together outlining geometric shapes that seem to monitor what happens inside the chapel, making more than one visitor's hair stand on end. It is a very curious experience.
Ossuary of Nossa Senhora do Carmo, in Faro
ITS OLD TOWN IS MEDIEVAL
The historic center of Faro is a must for lovers of the Middle Ages. It is known as Vila Adentro or Cidade Velha and is delimited by a medieval wall that was largely destroyed with the 1755 earthquake and that still preserves elements from other civilizations such as the Byzantine towers or the Arab gate. The streets, narrow and cobbled (with a lot of balcony full of flowers) lead you through the great cultural and artistic heritage of the city passing through the Sé Cathedral (where there are several restaurants where you can stop) in Gothic style and the convent of Our Lady of the Assumption , from the 16th century, which houses in its interior the lighthouse museum , a place where part of the legacy that remains of Roman culture is exhibited.
Cozy street in Faro
EAT, ALWAYS EAT
The gastronomy of the Algarve is fresh, light and delicious, although eating in Albufeira or Portimao It can bring us some surprise when it comes to scratching our pockets. But eating in Faro is not that expensive; In fact, we can give ourselves the occasional tribute without having to pawn grandma's jewelry. Obligatory stop is in modest tavern (Rua do Castelo, 2) in the old town, to eat their grilled meats or their seafood cataplana on the terrace and enjoy their homemade desserts (if they have orange cake, don't hesitate to order it). Without leaving the old town, a more modern option is Gathering Algarvia (Praça Dom Afonso III 15), somewhat more expensive but with an octopus that takes away the sense.
The decadent charm of Portugal always shows...
THE NIGHT IS ALWAYS YOUNG
The center of Faro is the perfect place for those looking for a bit of fun at night but without the hassle of the overcrowding that exists in the rest of the Algarve. The old town lights up at night with the terraces that, in addition to tourists, are very popular with locals. Columbus cocktails, very close to Arco da Vila , are ideal for cooling off while enjoying a live DJ session. you can also find several nightclubs in Faro, some very popular for their parties and for the LGTBIQ public such as Prestige, perfect for those who extend the night on weekends.
You can even curl the curl and move to the neighbor I am where it is possible to stay in a 19th-century mansion transformed into a charming inn . And it is that Faro is a city that can be enjoyed in two or three days if the stay is well planned. The good thing is that, in addition, all communications with the towns of the Algarve start from there, so you can always leave the capital of southern Portugal in search of new adventures at any time.
Lighthouse Marina