Don’t miss these things to do in Faro on your next city break

Faro’s Old Town or Cidade Velha or Vila Adentro as it is known by locals, is the best place to start your Faro sightseeing tour. Here you will find centuries of history hidden behind the city walls. It is an atmospheric tangle of whitewashed houses, boutique cafés and bougainvillea-draped courtyards. The quiet clink of cutlery from a family-run taverna is often the only sound as you wander its labyrinth of alleys. 

At the heart sits the Sé Cathedral, a patchwork of Gothic, Renaissance and baroque influences, whose bell tower offers sweeping views over the city and lagoon beyond. Built in 1251, it suffered severe damage after a fire in 1596 and the Lisbon earthquake in 1755. Its more discreet exterior contrasts with the interior, which houses a valuable collection of 17th and 18th-century art, making it a Faro must-see.

The Old Town is still encircled by medieval walls, entered mainly through two handsome gateways: the elegant Arco da Vila, considered a symbol of Faro, and the storied Arco do Repouso. The latter is not without its tales of myths and legends. Locals whisper of a Moorish princess who once sheltered here, while others claim it was where King Afonso III rested after recovering the city from Andalusian rule in the 13th century. Step through it and you’ll find yourself in another century entirely, where sun-faded façades tell tales of sailors, traders and spice routes. In addition to its historical value, the place has a special charm due to its mix of vegetation and stone. If you are interested in Faro's Islamic and medieval past, you can visit the Municipal Museum, located in the former convent of Nossa Senhora da Assunção, close by, which houses archaeological and sacred art pieces.

In the mood to discover unusual things to do in Faro? The Carmo Church, Igreja do Carmo, is an 18th-century baroque beauty whose ornate giltwood altar dazzles in the afternoon light. But it’s the Chapel of Bones, lined with the skeletal remains of over a thousand monks, that leaves the more haunting impression, an architectural memento mori both macabre and strangely serene. Before entering, visitors are met with the inscription “Pára aqui a considerar que a este estado hás-de chegar” (Stop here and think about the fate to come), a reminder of humanity’s inevitable mortality. This place is definitely one of the weirder things to do in Faro during your holidays.

Head away from the bustling Old Town towards the sea and enjoy a leisurely stroll along Faro’s Marina. Perfect for a romantic evening date or to see the local side of the city, the Marina offers picturesque scenes of bobbing yachts mirrored in still waters, with seafood restaurants and cocktail bars tempting you to linger. Apart from being one of the Faro sights to see, boats also depart from here for the islands of the Ria Formosa, a protected natural area of great beauty, perfect for an excursion among pristine beaches and calm waters.

Just inland, Jardim Manuel Bívar is a trim, palm-lined garden perfect for a shaded respite, with benches placed for watching the comings and goings of the marina. From this garden, you can also admire the elegant neoclassical façade of the City Hall building, as well as the historic Lethes Theater, one of the oldest in southern Portugal. Opened in 1845, it still hosts performances and cultural events in a setting steeped in history.

Escape the city streets and head out to the Ria Formosa, a protected Natural Park that stretches across 60 kilometers of the Algarve coastline and covers more than 18,000 hectares of glassy canals, sandbanks and salt marshes. One of Faro’s top attractions, the park is most easily accessed from here than anywhere else in the Algarve, and serves as a sanctuary for flamingos, spoonbills and other migratory birds, as well as endangered species such as the elusive chameleon. Thanks to its superb natural setting it has been named one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Portugal, so it is definitely one of the things to do in Faro for nature lovers and those looking for sustainable plans. 

The park is a short, 20-minute drive from the city, yet you can also reach this natural paradise by boat. From Faro’s port, boats slip into the Ria Formosa to reach its necklace of islands: Ilha Deserta, a blissfully wild sweep of sand; Ilha do Farol, with its postcard-perfect lighthouse, golden beaches and candy-coloured doors; and Ilha da Culatra, a year-round fishing community with an unhurried, salt-tinged soul. For a deeper sense of the park’s ecological magic, join a guided eco-boat tour, often pausing for swims or strolls on Deserta and Farol. For something more indulgent, a sunset catamaran cruise offers a romantic, wind-in-your-hair finale to the day.

Faro’s shoreline is quite the opposite of the Algarve’s busier resorts. Faro Beach, reached by a narrow causeway, is the locals’ choice for a quick dip or a lazy afternoon at a beach café, toes buried in warm sand. Need a break from all the stuff to do in Faro? For the feeling of a castaway escape, take a ferry to Barrinha Beach. This wild stretch of golden sand stretches far into the horizon, framed by dunes and the roar of the Atlantic. Here, even in summer, it’s easy to find a patch of sand entirely your own. Of course, out in the Ria Formosa, the barrier islands promise something even more secluded. Whether you arrive by ferry or stroll from the city, Faro’s beaches offer a calming break from the rush of city life

If you are staying in Faro, it is the perfect base for exploring the rest of the Algarve. Less than an hour east lies Tavira, a postcard of tiled façades. Spend a day soaking up local life as you stroll around the peaceful gardens and cobbled lanes that drift towards the banks of the Gilão River. Close by, Olhão charms with its Moorish-inspired Cubist houses, a bustling fish market and seafood restaurants where the catch is measured in hours, not days. This is the perfect day-trip from Faro for foodies! 

To the west, Albufeira offers the Algarve in technicolour. Think sun-drenched golden beaches, lively bars and a calendar packed with entertainment. Yet, for those drawn to wilder horizons, the road south-west leads to Cabo de São Vicente. Here, cliffs plunge into the crashing Atlantic at what was once believed to be the edge of the known world. This is a place that still feels thrillingly remote and should be added to your list of things to do in Faro (and nearby).