Faro Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Faro, Algarve, Portugal)

The coastal landscape and seaside attractions provide Faro with an undeniable magnetism for tourists, particularly during Portugal's sunny summers. However, apart from the beaches around the city, central Faro contains many enticing tourist attractions, while for further sightseeing, a cruise along the Ria Formosa offers an extremely pleasant way to while away an afternoon.

The Old City district is also often referred to as either the 'Centro Historico' or the 'Cidade Velha', and is home to a profusion of historical attractions, which appear somewhat unchanged by time itself. Faro's adjacent harbour has become something of a tourist hotspot and is usually a hive of activity, with cafes featuring views of the yachts as they sail out for the day.

Old City (Centro Historico / Cidade Velha)

Address: Faro, Portugal, PT
Facing the harbourfront, the Cidade Velha area features an oval of cobblestone alleyways and very eye-catching Moorish-style buildings, painted in bright colours and often featuring their own set of ornate balconies. A number of art galleries and friendly cafes reside in this part of Faro, with the Rua do Municipio leading towards the rather splendid Largo da Sé.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Beaches / Praia de Faro

Address: Faro, Portugal, PT
The region's beautiful sandy beaches have long been a leading summer attraction and tourists always flock here when the Portuguese sun is shining. Lying on the south-westerly side of the city and on the Ilha de Faro, the Praia de Faro is the main beach and one of the best that the eastern Algarve has to offer, with fine sand facing both the seafront and a more sheltered lagoon area. Facilities at this beach are extremely well developed and tourists will find more than enough cafes, bars, restaurants and gift shops. Alternatively, consider catching a summer ferry through the marshy channels, to reach the beaches located between Faro and Olhao, which include both the Ilha da Culatra and the Ilha Deserta.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Harbour

Address: Faro, Portugal, PT
The harbourfront is where much of the action takes place in Faro and is the perfect part of the city to come and soak up the atmosphere, whilst enjoying a drink at one of the waterfront cafes, which often overlook the plethora of stylish yachts and boats. Pathways next to the harbour offer a scenic place to promenade of a sunny evening, when crowds often gather here to meet up and socialise.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Ria Formosa

Address: Faro, Portugal, PT
Boat trips to the Ria Formosa nature reserve are always popular with holiday makers, with the cruise lasting approximately two and a half hours in total. Regular boats depart from the jetty within the Old City and stop off at an island along the way. The Ria Formosa stretches between the very tip of Portugal and runs into nearby Spain.
Open hours: daily - seasonal variations
Admission: charge for cruise

Igreja do Carmo Church / Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones)

Address: Faro, Portugal, PT
The Igreja do Carmo Church is home to one of the more unusual tourist attractions in Faro, being where you will discover the slightly macabre Chapel of Bones, which is known to the locals as the 'Capela dos Ossos'. This unusual building is surrounded by gardens and is decorated by actual human bones and skeletal remains of former monks, collected from the adjoining cemetery.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Viva Science Centre (Centro Cienca Viva)

Address: Faro, Portugal, PT
The Centro Cienca Viva is the perfect indoor family attraction when the weather is wet and is situated within the city's former electricity station. Children will always enjoy the hands-on activities and interactive fun at the Viva Science Centre, whilst learning about a number of interesting scientific principals. Permanent displays include both a flight simulation and also an authentic recreation of a local rock pool, with sea creatures, such as starfish, small fish and crabs.
Open hours: July to September, Tuesday to Sunday - 16:00 to 22:00; October to June, Tuesday to Friday - 10:00 to 17:00, Saturday and Sunday - 15:00 to 19:00
Admission: charge