Faro
The city of Faro in the Algarve is the local capital of the region and is a contemporary and busy city with many impressive shopping centres, and lively city nightlife and excellent restaurants. Thousands of travellers pass through the city en route to and from the resorts of the Algarve. Those who choose to linger awhile will find a town full of charm and colour with an interesting history and the feel of a true Portuguese fishing port. There are some sightseeing opportunities, mostly centred in the Old Town or Cidade Velha, which is entered through an 18th century gate and enclosed by the remnants of medieval walls. Faro's most famous attraction is a macabre one at the Igreja do Carmo, which features a chapel whose walls are decorated with the bones of more than 1,200 monks disinterred from the neighbouring cemetery. Another worthwhile attraction near the city is the Ria Formosa Natural Park, and a short distance to the north is the peaceful village of Estoi, boasting a pink Roccoco palace and Roman ruins dating from the 1st century. For the beach, one has to travel a few miles. A long sandy spit lies across a bridge near the International Airport.
The centre of the city is also the major shopping area of Faro, situated along the Rua Francisco Gomes and the Rua Santo Antonio. There is also an interesting, colourful produce market on the Largo do Mercado open every day where visitors can mingle with the locals. Good buys in Faro are the local handcrafts, like basket ware and embroidered goods, local wines and traditional clothing. Also sought after are locally made ceramic tiles decorated with traditional motifs.
Like most lively cities, Faro has a wide range of cuisine and dining choice available with a variety of restaurants and food stores on the Rua de Santo Antonio, offering local and international cuisine at variable prices. A must is to sample the local cakes and desserts, deliciously made of juicy figs and almonds. For a view try the Ginasio Clube Naval's terrace overlooking the harbour, and for a fishy feast there is Adega Dois Irmaos, the city's oldest seafood eatery, where the fresh catch of the day is on display. For well-priced Algarve specialities Tasca on the Rua del Alportel is a good bet.
The nightlife in Faro is kept lively by the student population of the university city, with many bars and clubs offering after dark entertainment. It all happens along the Rua do Prior and in the narrow alleys off of Rua Conselheiro Bivar and Rua Infante Dom Henrique. Dance clubs get going around 11pm or midnight, while bars are open for business any time from noon until the early hours. The Upa Upa Café and Bar at 51 Rua Conselheiro Bivar draws locals and tourists. The nightclub, Dux, is the place to party until the early hours and the trendsetters should head for the Fashion Kaffe.
The old town of Faro is a picturesque and historical tourist attraction, with some magnificent architecture and historical treasures worth exploring. There are some worthy museums in the town, too, like the archaeological Municipal Museum housed in a former convent and a maritime museum displaying a collection of model ships and boats. The city offers a taste of the traditional old Portugal for visitors making a stopover en route to an Algarve resort. Those who want to try out the local beach will find it to be a clean stretch of golden sand where umbrellas and sun beds can be hired and all sorts of water sports undertaken.
Faro does not offer a traditional beach holiday, as it is a working city and not a holiday resort, however is does have some spectacular historical attractions and makes a wonderful city break in sun kissed Portugal.
