Faro Old Town: Travel Guide to Visit the City Center

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Looking to uncover the hidden gems of Faro old town? You’re in the right place.

Faro is the biggest city in the Algarve and the only city in the Algarve with an international airport. That’s why many people arrive in Faro and head straight to a different place in the Algarve. But Faro has so much to offer from a beautiful beach to a historic old town.

During my time in Faro, I fell in love with the city’s historic centre. I just love walking along city walls and strolling through the impressive gates.

This blog post is your go-to guide for navigating the cobbled streets, ancient architecture, and vibrant culture of Faro’s Old Town.

🤩 This Tuk Tuk tour is a great way of seeing Old Town Faro Portugal!

Table of Contents

Things to do in Faro Old Town

Walk through the city gates

The city gates of Faro are more than just entry points, they’re living pieces of history that add a unique charm to the old town. And also, they make for great photo points.

Each gate has its own story to tell so it’s worth visiting all of the city gates, especially since they are located within a short walking distance from each other.

Arco da Vila

An impressive city gate leading to Faro old town — Arco da Vila: The most famous city gate of Faro

The most iconic city gate, Arco da Vila, is a stunning blend of Neoclassical and Moorish architecture, with intricate stonework next to the Jardim Manuel Bivar.

Even if you only spend one or two days in Faro, you have to walk through this iconic gate and take a seat on a bench in the park next to the marina.

Arco do Repouso

View through a stone gate in Faro to the next stone gate just a few meters off, there's also a gate to the side — Arco do Repuso: The Gate of Rest

Arco do Repouso, another city gate, is to the east of Faro’s old town. According to legend, the gate was named the “Gate of Rest” because King Afonso III supposedly rested there after reclaiming Faro from the Moors.

According to a different legend, a Moorish woman fell in love with a Christian knight. So her father put a spell on her to rest at the “Gate of Rest” forever.

I was really impressed with the layout of the gate since it opens in three directions and it just looks so massive.

Arco da Porta Nova

View through a smaller stone gate in Faro to the ocean — Porto Nova leading to the marina

The newest addition, Arco da Porta Nova, serves as a gateway to the marina and the breathtaking Ria Formosa Natural Park.

To be completely honest, Porta Nova isn’t that impressive, but it’s a very convenient gate from Faro Old Town to the marina, where all the boats to the Ria Formosa and Faro beach take off.

Visit Faro Cathedral

A stone tower of Faro cathedral with a flat roof with bells — The tower of Faro Cathedral, you can climb the top

Faro Cathedral, also known as Sé Cathedral, is a must-visit landmark in Faro. For 5€ you can enter the cathedral, the museum, the viewing point and the Chapel of Bones.

The cathedral is in the heart of Faro’s old town. It has undergone various transformations, bearing influences from Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. Inside the cathedral, you can also find many depictions with traditional Portuguese tiles, so-called Azulejos.

The inside of a church, you can see the organ, the altar and benches — The inside of Faro Cathedral

The Bone Chapel in the cathedral has some real bones embedded but if you want to see a real Bone Chapel, you should go visit Capela dos Ossos de Faro at the Church of the Third Order of Our Lady of Monte do Carmo, which is outside the old town. I visited this chapel and it’s absolutely crazy how many bones there are.

But it’s not just the architecture that’s captivating, you can climb the narrow staircase to the rooftop of the cathedral. From the top, you have panoramic views of Faro and the surrounding Ria Formosa Natural Park.

Walk next to the city walls

Old city walls of Faro next to the ocean; some plants are growing behind the walls — City walls from the outside

The ancient city walls of Faro are a fascinating blend of history and scenic beauty, going all the way around the old town.

The city walls were originally built during Roman times and later fortified during the Moorish era. Today the walls are still very intact in some places and in others not so much.

As you walk along the well-preserved sections, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the city and its surrounding landscapes.

I especially enjoyed walking next to the city walls by the waterside. You have the historic city walls on one side and the train tracks and the Ria Formosa on the other side.

Take a break at Largo da Sé

Largo da Sé is the beating heart of Faro old town. And it would be a picturesque square if it weren’t for the fact that it’s also a parking lot for cars.

You can find orange trees as well as historic buildings, including the iconic Faro Cathedral, at the Largo da Sé. It’s a social and cultural hub and a great place to have a cup of coffee or juice.

Municipal Museum of Faro

The Municipal Museum of Faro, or Museu Municipal de Faro is the perfect place to learn about the city’s rich history and culture.

It’s housed in a 16th-century convent, located just behind Faro cathedral. This museum offers a wide range of exhibits, from Roman artifacts and Moorish tiles to contemporary art.

It’s a place where the past and present come together, offering insights into Faro’s transformation over the centuries.

Best places to stay in Faro Old Town

Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any accommodations within Faro old town which fulfil my booking requirements. But you can find lovely apartments and rooms just outside the city walls.

Recommended apartment: The Sunny Cottage

The Sunny Cottage offers a cosy and inviting atmosphere. It’s located just a short distance from the historic centre. So it provides the convenience of being close to key attractions while offering a peaceful retreat to come back to.

Recommended guest house: Senhor Gigi

Senhor Gigi is a cute little guest house close to the historic centre of Faro. The property itself is known for its clean, comfortable rooms and friendly service, making it a home away from home.

Recommended hotel: Lemon Tree Stay

Lemon Tree Stay is located furthest away from the old town out of all the options I mentioned but it’s still within walking distance. They offer a wide range of different rooms and I just love the beautiful rooftop terrace at Lemon Tree Stay.

Best time to visit Faro

The best times to visit Faro Old Town are the shoulder seasons of April-May or October-November.

The weather in Faro is still pleasant and warm in the shoulder seasons, but there are fewer people than during peak season, making it easier to explore Faro’s old town and nearby attractions.

Plus, you’ll find that many local businesses and restaurants are open but less busy, giving you a more authentic experience.

Tina on the rooftop of Faro cathedral, in the background you can see a bit of the city and the ocean — Me on the rooftop view point of Faro Cathedral

🤩 See Old Town Faro from this cool Tuk Tuk tour!

Final thoughts: Faro old city

With the beautiful cathedral and the historic city walls and gates Faro old town is worth visiting.

Once you explored Faro city centre you can relax at the beach and then head out to explore the surrounding area of Faro. I really enjoyed my time in Olhão, it’s still a more authentic Portuguese town with so many great things to do.

From Olhão you can visit the Ria Formosa National Park or you can float in a salt lake just outside Olhão.

Faro Old Town: Travel Guide to Visit the City Center