Why Faro is a Must see Destination for 2023

The Algarve is Portugal’s famous beach resort destination, but you would be forgiven if you had never heard of Faro, the region’s capital. This charming city manages to go under the radar, seen by many travellers simply as an entry point to the area and nothing. But Faro is home to enough culture and interesting attractions to be visited and explored just for its own charms. It is truly a must-see destination this year – it’s easy to get to and appeals to just about everyone for solo travellers to families. Let’s look at some of the fantastic reasons to visit.

A city break in its own right

Faro is sometimes overlooked as a destination because it sits so close to the famous beaches and resort towns of the Algarve. But it makes for a fantastic city break in its own right thanks to a wealth of things to see. This is one of the region’s most historic and authentically Portuguese towns with a charming medieval quarter and Moorish architecture.

It’s also the gateway to some amazing attractions including the Ilha da Barretta with its lovely sandy shores, and Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, a lagoon that can be explored by boat.

A great base to explore the Algarve

Of course, it’s also worth pointing out that Faro is the capital of the Algarve, meaning it is surrounded by some of Portugal’s most popular locations. There are excellent transport links to the rest of the region as well as good infrastructure in the form of hotels and restaurants. It’s easy to get in – Faro Airport is one of Portugal’s largest and makes for the most convenient entry point if you are visiting the Algarve. And you can rent a car here to go exploring and see the sights.

If you are interested in getting around to some of the smaller towns of the Algarve and get a feel for real Portugal, it’s a good idea to use Faro as a base. Whether you are looking for watersports, dolphin watching or cave tours, there’s a huge range of activities to enjoy.

The stunning beaches

Of course one of the best reasons to visit the Algarve in 2018 is its most famous feature – the stunning beaches. While Faro is not necessarily renowned as the area’s most outstanding beach destination, it does have a five-kilometre stretch of golden sand that is rarely crowded, even in the high tourist season. It would be a shame, however, to come to the Algarve and not get out to some of the other beaches. There is an outstanding variety of options.

Head west to Praia de Marinha located close to Lagoa and you will be treated to dramatic views of limestone rock stacks. Another undoubtedly beautiful is Praia da Falesia – a lovely area for walking thanks to the tall cliffs acting as a backdrop.

The unbelievable weather

Whether you’re thinking of an early break, a summer holiday or some winter sun in 2018, Faro is truly a year-round destination. The area receives an average of 300 days of sunshine per year – the summer is long but doesn’t get uncomfortable, and winter is short and mild. Spring and autumn also make great times to go if you want to avoid the busiest time, but still enjoy regular trips to the beach.

A foodie’s paradise

Faro deserves to be renowned for its food. This is a thriving and growing city with new restaurants opening up all the time, as well as establishments that have been in place for generations serving up delicious food. You’ll find just about everything here from tiny rooms offering wonderful local cuisine or renowned restaurants create masterful food from around the world.

Walk the well-maintained plazas and you’ll find plenty of cafes to relax in. The city truly has a charming atmosphere and even if you’re just coming here for a weekend break, you’ll find yourself enjoying the culture almost immediately.

*This is a collaborative post.