Faro

The provincial capital of the Algarve, Faro is a thriving university town. There's more to this place than just the airport, and the maze of twisting lanes and marina is well worth a visit.

Located 4km from the capital of the Algarve, the Faro Airport is a modern facility that serves the entire coastal area of Continental Portugal’s southern-most province. Positioned in a prime tourist area, this airport receives thousands of visitors per year, mostly holiday makers coming to enjoy the summer months
 
 
Particularly attractive is the old part of the city surrounded still by the Roman walls which date back to the 9th. Inside a spacious open square that was once the site of the Roman Forum is a 13th Century Cathedral that faces the 18th Century Episcopal palace. An interesting building is the neighbouring 16th Century Convent that is now turned into the home of the city’s archaeological museum. Within it is a section devoted to the Arab occupation. The "golden" church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo is claimed to be the best example of gold-leaf woodwork in southern Portugal.

Faro is also the home of the Ria Formosa lagoon, a nature reserve of over 17.000 hectares and a stopping place for hundreds of different birds during the spring and autumn migratory periods.

The beach is almost 7 Kms distant from the city and is a long sandy spit reached by crossing a bridge not far from the International Airport. The municipal council has an active cultural department organizing different and various events during the year.