Travel guide · Portugal

Faro

white lighthouse on rocky seashore — Photo : Everaldo Coelho / Unsplash

Why visit Faro?

The capital of the Algarve, Faro pairs a walled old town and cobbled lanes with the Ria Formosa, a protected lagoon dotted with sandy barrier islands. The city keeps an easygoing pace and makes a handy base for exploring Portugal's southern coast.

Not to miss

a cobblestone street lined with yellow buildings — Photo : Yanis Baileche / Unsplash

Cidade Velha

Enter the old town through the Arco da Vila and wander among ramparts, cobbled lanes and whitewashed houses.

a lighthouse on a cliff overlooking the ocean — Photo : Anna / Unsplash

Sé de Faro

The cathedral anchors the old town, and its bell tower looks out over the rooftops and the Ria Formosa lagoon.

an aerial view of a beach and a bridge — Photo : Markus Kammermann / Unsplash

Ria Formosa Natural Park

A maze of channels, salt marshes and islands where you can spot birdlife, including flamingos, by boat or on foot.

a herd of cattle standing on top of a grass covered hillside — Photo : Maria Miguel Cardeiro / Unsplash

Lagoon islands

Ilha Deserta, Ilha do Farol and Ilha da Culatra offer long sandy beaches, reached by boat from Faro.

a lighthouse on a rocky cliff overlooking the ocean — Photo : Daniele Levis Pelusi / Unsplash

Capela dos Ossos

Behind the baroque Igreja do Carmo, a small chapel lined with human bones makes for a striking visit.

empty road place during daytime — Photo : Mário Rui André / Unsplash

Rua de Santo António

This pedestrian street paved in Portuguese calçada is lined with shops, cafés and pastry shops in the heart of town.

When to go?

Spring and early autumn bring mild, sunny weather that suits strolling the old town and hopping between islands. Summer is very hot and almost rainless, perfect for the beach. Rain falls mostly from October to December, though winters stay mild.

The warmest month is Jul (around 39 °C by day), the coolest Feb (3 °C at night); the driest is Jul and the wettest Nov.

Month	Day / night	Rain	Flights from Montreal	Flights from Quebec City
Jan	19° / 4°	50 mm	US$446	US$682
Feb	20° / 3°	53 mm	US$446	US$798
Mar	25° / 6°	67 mm	US$446	—
Apr	28° / 8°	62 mm	US$446	US$1,018
May	33° / 10°	35 mm	US$446	US$954
Jun	36° / 13°	8 mm	US$799	US$1,073
Jul	39° / 15°	1 mm	US$868	US$1,180
Aug	37° / 16°	4 mm	US$870	US$1,080
Sep	33° / 14°	22 mm	—	—
Oct	31° / 11°	75 mm	—	—
Nov	25° / 7°	94 mm	US$446	US$682
Dec	20° / 6°	72 mm	US$585	US$667

Climate: 1991-2020 normals (NASA POWER), daytime highs and night-time lows. Prices: the lowest round-trip fares Voly saw in recent months for a departure that month; they change all the time.

Practical tips

The centre is easy to explore on foot, and boats leave from the pier near Porta Nova for the lagoon islands. Staying in the old town or around the marina keeps everything within walking distance. Try cataplana, clams and oysters from the Ria Formosa.

At a glance

Country : Portugal
Currency : euro (EUR)
Languages : Portuguese
Time zone : Europe/Lisbon (UTC0) — difference with Montreal: +5 h, with Paris: -1 h (varies with daylight saving)

Entry requirements (passport, visa) depend on your nationality and change: check them with your government before booking.