Is Faro worth visiting? A realistic guide for families
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Faro completely surpassed my expectations. I’d been to the Algarve a few times before – Albufeira, Vilamoura and Quarteira, but I’d never really considered Faro itself. For this trip we were just looking for a cheap Easter break, and when the flights came up so reasonable it felt like an easy decision.
We stayed three nights in Faro, which gave us two full days after a late night arrival, before moving on to Tavira for another three nights. You can read our full Algarve Travel Guide here. Before we went I kept wondering whether there was actually anything to do in Faro for tourists, or whether it was just somewhere you fly into and leave.
The reality was a bit of both, and I mean that in the best possible way.
The weather in April is unpredictable and we got a taste of everything. One day it was shorts weather, the next we were pulling out the waterproof jackets mid walk. If you’re wondering if Faro is worth visiting in April, just go prepared for a bit of both.
Is Faro worth visiting?
The quick answer is yes, Faro is worth visiting. But I wouldn’t come here expecting a packed itinerary.
It works best as a short stay of one or two days, or as a base for exploring the wider Algarve. You can cover the highlights of the city centre in a day comfortably. If you want to add a boat trip through the Ria Formosa, or a beach day, then two days gives you a nice pace.
It’s a small city with a lot of history and it wears that well. Cobbled streets, ancient walls, and lovely little details as you wander around. If you’re travelling without kids there are plenty of bars and restaurants to enjoy at a slower pace. With kids it’s still absolutely worth it, just go in knowing it’s more about soaking up the atmosphere than ticking off a long list of attractions.
First impressions of Faro
Our first proper look at Faro came the morning after we arrived, and the first thing that struck me was how old town it felt. I think I’d assumed that because it’s a city with an airport it would be bigger and more built up, but the cobbled streets and old buildings were a genuinely nice surprise.
The city centre is completely walkable too, which makes such a difference with kids. Everything you want to see is within easy reach of everything else.
The storks were the other thing that stopped us in our tracks. Huge nests just sitting on rooftops like it’s completely normal, with the birds coming and going as they please. Eloise was absolutely captivated by them and to be fair, so were we.
My partner nipped out one evening and came back reporting live music from several bars, so it has that side to it too if you’re after a bit of nightlife.
How to get to Faro and get around
Faro airport sits right on the edge of the city, which makes the arrival really straightforward. From the airport you can take a taxi for around €20 or Bus 16 for around €2.25, the bus takes about 20 minutes and drops you close to the centre.
There’s also a train station in Faro which makes getting out to other parts of the Algarve easy.
Once you’re in the city, you can walk almost everywhere. We only used the bus once during our stay, to get to Forum Algarve. The cobbled streets in the Old Town are a bit uneven in places but we found Faro manageable with a pram for the most part.
Things to do in Faro
If you’re wondering whether there’s anything to do in Faro, the answer is yes, just not in a packed, attraction heavy way. It’s more about wandering and exploring.
1️⃣ Capela dos Ossos — Chapel of Bones
The Chapel of Bones was one of the first things we did and ended up being one of the highlights of the whole trip. We visited on Easter Monday which felt strangely fitting. There’s something quite poignant about standing in a chapel built from the skeletal remains of over 1,000 monks on one of the most significant days in the Christian calendar.
It was built in 1816 to solve a shortage of space in the local cemetery, and the bones are used throughout the walls and ceiling in a way that’s fascinating rather than gory. My daughter was absolutely mesmerised.
If you’re visiting Faro at Easter, this is well worth adding to your list. Entry is €2 per adult and kids go free. Aside from a couple of manageable steps at the entrance, we found it pram friendly throughout.
2️⃣ Faro Old Town (Cidade Velha)
The Old Town sits right around the marina which means everything is within easy walking distance of everything else. It’s compact but there’s a lot to take in. Cobbled roads, narrow streets, and buildings that have clearly been standing for centuries. Many of them have street art on the walls too, which gives it a really interesting mix of old and new.
It’s the kind of place where you just wander and see what you find. Google Maps can be a bit misleading for the Old Town, if you search it directly it tends to drop a pin on one road rather than the area itself. We’d suggest heading for the Arco do Repouso, one of the historic arch entrances, as your starting point. Here is the Google map link.
3️⃣ Sé de Faro and Cathedral Tower
The cathedral sits in a beautiful square right in the heart of the Old Town and is hard to miss. We didn’t go inside on this trip. Our baby needed a sleep and feed and so it just didn’t work out. But it’s been standing for over 700 years and you can climb the tower for views over the Ria Formosa. Worth adding to your list if you have more time than we did. The square outside is flat and easy to navigate with a pram.
4️⃣ Faro Marina
The marina is a really lovely spot for a slow wander. Just across the road there’s a small children’s play area, and right next to the marina there’s a large outdoor bar and restaurant with a huge grass verge alongside it. We grabbed an end table, and I enjoyed a cocktail whilst our eldest daughter could play on the grass right next to us, so everyone was happy at the same time, which as any parent knows is worth its weight in gold.
5️⃣ Tourist train
We didn’t manage the tourist train on this trip but it’s on the list for next time. It runs around the city and looks like a really easy, low effort way to see Faro with young kids, no walking required.
6️⃣ Faro Beach (Ilha de Faro)
Faro Beach sits on a peninsula and you need to take a short ferry to get there, which passes through the Ria Formosa. We didn’t make it on this trip, the weather just wasn’t on our side, but it’s absolutely something we’d do if we went back in better conditions. The ferry journey alone looks worth it for the views.
7️⃣ Ria Formosa Natural Park
We didn’t make it to the Ria Formosa on this trip either, the weather had other ideas. But it’s absolutely something we’d prioritise next time. It’s a natural park stretching along the coastline and full of wildlife, and there are various boat trips available from short hop on hop off options to longer sunset trips. If you do make it to Faro Beach, the ferry passes through it anyway so you get a taste regardless.
8️⃣ Jardim da Alameda João de Deus
We didn’t make it to this park but I came across it after we got back and immediately wished we had. It’s a short walk from the Old Town and apparently has peacocks wandering around freely, which my daughter would have absolutely loved. One firmly on the list for next time.
9️⃣ Sardinha de Papel
This little gift shop happened to be on the same road as our apartment, which meant I walked past it constantly and had to go in every single time. It’s unlike any other souvenir shop, beautiful jewellery, bags, bowls and handmade pieces that actually feel worth bringing home. I picked up a necklace, and Eloise somehow ended up with a knitted Garfield keyring which she was absolutely delighted with. Here is the Google maps link.
If you’re wandering the Old Town, keep an eye out for it, it’s well worth a browse.
Quick things to spot in Faro as you wander
Not everything in Faro needs a ticket or a time slot. These are the things worth keeping an eye out for as you explore, a quick look, a photo, and you’re on your way.
Arco do Repouso
One of the original entrances to the Old Town, dating back to the medieval times. It was originally part of the defensive walls surrounding Faro during the Moorish rule in the 9th century. A good landmark to navigate from and worth a photo. Here is the Google map link.
The storks
Everywhere you look there are huge nests on rooftops with storks coming and going. My daughter spent half the trip craning her neck looking for them. Don’t miss them.
Street art
There’s street art on nearly every road and some of it is genuinely impressive. It is worth slowing down for rather than walking straight past.
Faro sign
You can’t miss this sign. It sits on the Marina and feels like an absolute must to get a photo alongside it.
Things to do in Faro when it rains?
If you’re visiting in April, having a backup plan for wet days is genuinely essential rather than just a nice idea. We learned that the hard way.
Faro Story Spot
We made a beeline for this on one of the wetter days, it’s an indoor multimedia experience about Faro’s history which sounded right up our street. We got there and found it closed. We ended up sitting outside for a coffee instead, which wasn’t the worst outcome, but definitely check opening times before you go. Don’t make our mistake.
Maritime Museum (Museu Marítimo)
We didn’t make it here but it’s free to enter which makes it a good option if the weather turns. It’s right by the marina and focuses on Faro’s fishing history.
Municipal Museum of Faro
Another one we didn’t visit, but it’s set inside a 16th century convent which sounds worth seeing. A good indoor option if you enjoy history and want something a bit more substantial.
Forum Algarve
This is where we ended up when the weather properly turned, and it did the job perfectly. It’s a large shopping centre just outside the city centre, we got the bus from the terminal right next to the marina which was really straightforward. Shops, food and on the day we visited there was a kids’ event going on too, which kept Eloise happy while we waited out the rain.
Day trips from Faro
One of Faro’s biggest strengths is how well placed it is for exploring the wider Algarve. The train station makes getting around really easy, and most of the main towns are within an hour.
Tavira
Tavira is our personal favourite and where we headed after Faro, beautiful, historic and much quieter than the bigger resorts. It is known for its 37 churches, and Roman bridge over the River Gilao. Around 40 minutes by train.
Olhão
Olhão is a traditional fishing town known for its markets, Moorish influenced architecture, and gateway to the Ria Formosa. and is only around 15 minutes away, an easy half day.
Loulé
Loulé is a more traditional inland town, also known for its Moorish style covered market. It’s around 30 minutes away and worth it if you enjoy markets.
Silves
Silves has a famous castle and a serene atmosphere away from the coast. It’s around an hour away, a good option if you want something a bit different.
Vilamoura
Vilamoura is a luxurious resort town in the central Algarve. Known for it’s huge marina lined with bars and restaurants, and championship golf courses. Offers sandy beaches as well as a lively nightlife. Around 20 minutes from Faro.
Albufeira
Vibrant coastal town. Also known for sandy beaches, bustling nightlife, gorgeous (and lively) Old Town, water sports, and plenty of bars and restaurants.
Estoi
Estoi is a quieter village known for its palace and gardens, around 20 minutes from Faro.
What Faro is actually like with kids
Faro is genuinely family friendly. It’s walkable, manageable and relaxed. But with young kids, one to two days is plenty. Beyond that you’ll start to run out of things to keep little ones entertained.
It works brilliantly as a starting point or base rather than a destination in its own right. Pair it with Tavira (like we did) or use it to explore the wider Algarve and it makes much more sense as part of a longer trip.
Is Faro expensive? Is Faro safe?
If you’re wondering if Faro is expensive, we found it noticeably cheaper than eating and drinking at home, which was a welcome change. Most of the things we did were either free or very low cost, and meals out were affordable without feeling like we were compromising on quality.
We felt completely comfortable the whole time, including evenings. Even wandering around after dark it felt relaxed and easy, which always matters when you’re travelling with a little one.
Where to eat in Faro
We only had a couple of days in Faro so this is everywhere we personally tried and would recommend.
Vanilla – breakfast
We stumbled across this one purely because it was next to our apartment, but it turned out to be a real find. It was busy every morning, and watching people walk past other places to get there told us everything we needed to know – they weren’t passing trade, they were coming specifically for it. My partner and I had toasties and the coffee was great. Eloise was very happy with her Nutella pancakes.
Chelsea Coffee & Brunch – breakfast
I’d found this one before we left and made a note to try it. It’s right in the Old Town and has a really cool vibe, with floral decor making me wish I had a cocktail with my morning eggs. We went for breakfast and my egg bagel was genuinely one of the best things I ate on the whole trip.
Old Tavern – dinner
We found this place the same way we find most good restaurants, it was so busy we assumed it must be worth it. Since getting home I’ve seen it recommended everywhere, so it turns out we were lucky to get a table.
There are no menus. Instead they bring a chalkboard over and rest it next to you, and whatever’s fresh that day is what’s on offer. We had traditional Portuguese tapas dishes and everything was delicious.
One word of warning – watch your chair on the cobbled street outside. My partner leant back to check on the baby and fell clean off his chair, much to the amusement of the entire restaurant and everyone walking past (and me!). He took it well.
Pizzeria Bell’Antonio – dinner
This one was completely unplanned. We’d had a late lunch and thought we were done for the day, but our eldest daughter had other ideas and decided she was hungry again at half seven. It was a few doors down from our apartment so we popped in on a whim.
She had pizza, I ended up ordering the salmon dish, and everything was genuinely delicious. The waiter was brilliant with the kids, really friendly and playful in a way that made the whole meal feel relaxed. A lovely find and somewhere we’d go back to without hesitation.
How many days do you need in Faro?
Two days is enough to cover the main highlights. Three days gives you a more relaxed pace and room to include the beach or a boat trip. Any more would feel slow unless you’re planning day trips from Faro as a base.
For us, two full days was just right.
Is Faro a tourist trap?
No. It feels genuinely authentic compared to some of the more resort heavy parts of the Algarve. The history is woven throughout the city in a way that feels real rather than packaged up for tourists, and that’s a big part of what makes it worth visiting.
Final thoughts: Is Faro worth visiting?
Yes, for sure – but don’t linger too long. One to two days is a nice amount of time, especially with young children.
What surprised me most was how much history there is packed into such a small city, and how accessible it is for kids. The Chapel of Bones alone made the trip for us. My eldest daughter was talking about the bones for days afterwards.
For us it was the perfect starting point before heading to Tavira, which ended up being my favorite place on the Algarve. But Faro absolutely earned its place on the itinerary.
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