Faro Old Town

Faro
Faro Old Town
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

INATEL Albufeira
INATEL Albufeira
3 out of 5
Av. Infante D. Henrique, Albufeira
The price is €60 per night from 13 Apr to 14 Apr
€60
per night
13 Apr - 14 Apr
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Albufeira. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (417 reviews)
"Great place to stay in Albufeira, very close to centre and the view from our room was amazing"

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

INATEL Albufeira
AP Eva Senses
AP Eva Senses
4 out of 5
Avenida da Republica, 1, Faro
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is €155 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
€155
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
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 pool in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
Excellent location, good amenities.
"Amazing buffet breakfast in a room with a wonderful view over the harbour and a pianist. Great start to any day, even a rainy one. Two adults in a room with two suitcases but only one place to put a suitcase. Awkward and annoying. Bright bathroom which is appreciated. Wonderful balcony with a table ..."

Reviewed on 28 Mar 2024

AP Eva Senses
Hotel Faro & Beach Club
Hotel Faro & Beach Club
4 out of 5
Praca D Francisco Gomes 2, Faro
The price is €144 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
€144
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
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 pool in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,009 reviews)
"Location is great."

Reviewed on 28 Mar 2024

Hotel Faro & Beach Club
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 €110 per night from 3 Apr to 4 Apr
€110
per night
3 Apr - 4 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Albufeira. Enjoy a full-service spa, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (225 reviews)
"Lovely three night stay in the heart of Albufeira. Hotel is in a great location with a high end finish. Lots of spots for sunbathing and relaxing. Breakfast in the morning was delicious and enough to choose from. All staff were super lovely. We ask for a late checked which wasn’t a problem at no ..."

Reviewed on 12 Mar 2024

Hotel Califórnia Urban Beach – Adults only
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 €104 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
€104
per night
2 Apr - 3 Apr
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Albufeira. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 4 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (880 reviews)
"Very good"

Reviewed on 19 Mar 2024

Grande Real Santa Eulalia Resort
Dom Jose Beach Hotel
Dom Jose Beach Hotel
3 out of 5
Avenida Infante Sagres, 143, Loulé
Fully refundable
The price is €122 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
€122
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Loulé. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (991 reviews)
"Amazing hotel, really classy and clean. Staff couldn’t be any friendlier and helpful. Superb place and will go back one day"

Reviewed on 21 Mar 2024

Dom Jose Beach 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
Carmo Church which includes heritage elements

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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Bela Curral

While Bela Curral may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Olhao Municipal Market and Olhao Harbour.

Bela Curral
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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 San Lorenzo Golf Club are some notable places to visit nearby.

Praia de Faro

Faro Old Town

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