Faro Old Town

Faro
Faro Old Town as well as a small group of people
For centuries, Faro’s fortified walls have enclosed the city’s most intriguing treasures, from the cathedral’s chamber of bones to a castle converted into a brewery.

Faro Old Town is characterized by its crumbling arches, cobbled lanes and historic structures. Dimly lit restaurants and bars with terraces spilling onto pedestrian streets create a romantic, old-world setting. Piece together medieval Faro through well-preserved vestiges in the forms of churches, museums and the city ramparts.

Tracing a circle around the historic center are the 9th-century Faro City Walls (Muralhas de Faro). Snap photos of these ramparts, initially put in place by the Romans and later renovated by the Moors. Study the opulent Moorish designs of the various gateways that provide a passage to Faro Old Town.

Enter this central district and head to the Faro Cathedral, with a mix of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architectural styles. Awaiting you inside are gold leaf carvings, stained-glass windows and a red-painted wooden organ decorated with Chinese symbols.

Climb the cathedral’s spiral stairway to the rooftop viewing deck for a vista of the sea, the mudflats and the adjacent 16th-century Episcopal Palace of Faro. The palace served as the marine college and the maritime department. Relax at a bench in the shade of orange trees ornamenting the Largo da Sé plaza between the cathedral and palace.

Get insight into regional science and history in the old quarter’s museums. Highlights are the Centro de Ciência Viva do Algarve and the Museu Arqueológico. See the fortified castle of the Antiga Fábrica da Cerveja, which was converted into a beer factory in the 1900s.

For a change of scenery, pass through a city wall gateway at the district’s western end. You’ll be confronted by an exceptional view of the marshy waterways engulfing Faro.

Walk south for about 10 minutes from the train station to reach Faro Old Town, located between the city and the Atlantic Ocean. You can also take a ferry to the terminal just outside the walls. The district is a 15-minute drive southeast from Faro Airport.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Faro Old Town

AP Eva Senses
AP Eva Senses
4 out of 5
Avenida da Republica, 1, Faro
The price is S$177 per night from 3 Nov to 4 Nov
S$177
includes taxes & fees
3 Nov - 4 Nov
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Faro. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,007 reviews)
Great Location.
"Great location. Helpful staff. Great breakfast."

Reviewed on 27 Oct,2024

AP Eva Senses
Hotel Califórnia Urban Beach – Adults only
Hotel Califórnia Urban Beach – Adults only
4 out of 5
Rua Joaquim Pedro Samora 2, Albufeira, Faro
The price is S$94 per night from 6 Nov to 7 Nov
S$94
includes taxes & fees
6 Nov - 7 Nov
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Albufeira. Enjoy a full-service spa, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (314 reviews)
"The staff was exceptional and attentive to my needs. Food was great and it felt comfortable."

Reviewed on 24 Oct,2024

Hotel Califórnia Urban Beach – Adults only
The Patio Suite Hotel
The Patio Suite Hotel
4 out of 5
Urbanização Pinhal do Concelho, Albufeira
The price is S$85 per night from 25 Nov to 26 Nov
S$85
includes taxes & fees
25 Nov - 26 Nov
Stay at this 4-star golf aparthotel in Albufeira. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (116 reviews)
"This is a wonderful hotel and the staff are what make it. Very friendly and accommodating, food is lovely with plenty of choice. I don’t tend to eat meat when I am Away but they had plenty to choose from. Drinks are great and they have entertainment on every night until 11 which is great, a good ..."

Reviewed on 23 Sep,2024

The Patio Suite Hotel
Hotel Faro & Beach Club
Hotel Faro & Beach Club
4 out of 5
Praca D Francisco Gomes 2, Faro
The price is S$147 per night from 24 Nov to 25 Nov
S$147
includes taxes & fees
24 Nov - 25 Nov
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Faro. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,010 reviews)
"Great location and views"

Reviewed on 28 Oct,2024

Hotel Faro & Beach Club
Grande Real Santa Eulalia Resort
Grande Real Santa Eulalia Resort
5 out of 5
Estrada de Albufeira - Olhos de Água, Albufeira, Faro
The price is S$142 per night from 17 Nov to 18 Nov
S$142
includes taxes & fees
17 Nov - 18 Nov
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Albufeira. Enjoy free WiFi, 4 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (948 reviews)
"Great stay, the staff were friendly, the hotel was clean and the amenities were perfect."

Reviewed on 10 Oct,2024

Grande Real Santa Eulalia Resort
EPIC SANA Algarve Hotel
EPIC SANA Algarve Hotel
5 out of 5
Praia da Falésia, Pinhal do Concelho, Albufeira
The price is S$233 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
S$233
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Albufeira. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (594 reviews)
"Most amazing hotel. We had an absolutely amazing holiday at a better than five star hotel."

Reviewed on 25 Oct,2024

EPIC SANA Algarve Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Faro Old Town

Faro Cathedral showing heritage elements

Faro City Centre

Faro City Centre is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Faro Marina and Faro Cathedral while in the area.

Faro City Centre
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São Pedro

If you're spending some time in São Pedro, Faro Marina and Forum Algarve Mall are top sights worth seeing.

São Pedro
Faro which includes a beach, a sunset and a lighthouse

4.5/5(157 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Sé, Faro Cathedral and Old Town Square are top sights worth seeing.

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Gambelas

3.5/5(6 area reviews)

While Gambelas isn't home to many top sights, Forum Algarve Mall and Parque Natural da Ria Formosa are some notable places to visit nearby.

Gambelas
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Brejo

While Brejo may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Carmo Church and Faro Marina.

Brejo
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Praia de Faro

4.5/5(8 area reviews)

While Praia de Faro isn't home to many top sights, Faro Island Beach and Quinta do Lago Golf are some notable places to visit nearby.

Praia de Faro

Faro Old Town