Things to do in Faro

Why go to Faro

• Ria Formosa Natural Park

  A breathtaking coastal lagoon system of islands, birds, and turquoise channels stretching 60 km, one of Portugal's seven natural wonders.

• Faro Old Town (Cidade Velha)

  Step inside medieval walls to explore cobbled squares, the stunning cathedral, and a haunting bone chapel, all remarkably crowd-free.

• Igreja dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones)

  A macabre and mesmerizing 18th-century chapel lined with the bones of monks, tucked inside the Nossa Senhora do Carmo church.

• Ilha Deserta (Barreta Island)

  A wild, car-free barrier island with pristine white-sand beaches and crystal water, reachable by a short ferry from Faro's harbor.

• Estói Palace & Gardens

  A fairy-tale pink Rococo palace with manicured gardens and Roman ruins nearby, just 10 km from Faro and largely overlooked by tourists.

Good to know in Faro

• Transit: Buses run frequently to Praia de Faro (line 16) for about $2 each way, and the Algarve train line connects Faro to Lagos and Tavira cheaply, a day of train-hopping costs under $10.
• Tipping: Tipping is appreciated but modest, rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% is standard; never feel obligated at casual tascos.
• Tap water: Tap water is safe to drink throughout Faro and the Algarve, carry a reusable bottle and skip the bottled water markup.
• Free-entry days: Faro Municipal Museum and the Museu Regional do Algarve offer free entry on Sunday mornings; the Cathedral tower is best visited early to avoid the small crowds that do show up.

Trip essentials