Faro Old Town

Faro

Faro Old Town as well as a small group of people
Faro Old Town
Faro Old Town showing outdoor art
Faro Old Town showing wildflowers and a garden
Faro Old Town
For centuries, Faro’s fortified walls have enclosed the city’s most intriguing treasures, from the cathedral’s chamber of bones to a castle converted into a brewery.

Faro Old Town is characterized by its crumbling arches, cobbled lanes and historic structures. Dimly lit restaurants and bars with terraces spilling onto pedestrian streets create a romantic, old-world setting. Piece together medieval Faro through well-preserved vestiges in the forms of churches, museums and the city ramparts.

Tracing a circle around the historic center are the 9th-century Faro City Walls (Muralhas de Faro). Snap photos of these ramparts, initially put in place by the Romans and later renovated by the Moors. Study the opulent Moorish designs of the various gateways that provide a passage to Faro Old Town. 

Enter this central district and head to the Faro Cathedral, with a mix of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architectural styles. Awaiting you inside are gold leaf carvings, stained-glass windows and a red-painted wooden organ decorated with Chinese symbols. 

Climb the cathedral’s spiral stairway to the rooftop viewing deck for a vista of the sea, the mudflats and the adjacent 16th-century Episcopal Palace of Faro. The palace served as the marine college and the maritime department. Relax at a bench in the shade of orange trees ornamenting the Largo da Sé plaza between the cathedral and palace.

Get insight into regional science and history in the old quarter’s museums. Highlights are the Centro de Ciência Viva do Algarve and the Museu Arqueológico. See the fortified castle of the Antiga Fábrica da Cerveja, which was converted into a beer factory in the 1900s. 

For a change of scenery, pass through a city wall gateway at the district’s western end. You’ll be confronted by an exceptional view of the marshy waterways engulfing Faro. 

Walk south for about 10 minutes from the train station to reach Faro Old Town, located between the city and the Atlantic Ocean. You can also take a ferry to the terminal just outside the walls. The district is a 15-minute drive southeast from Faro Airport.


Popular places to visit


Faro Old Town Hotel Deals

Viceroy At Ombria Algarve

Viceroy At Ombria Algarve

5 out of 5
Rua da Ombria, No. 9, Ombria Algarve, Loulé, Faro District
The price is NT$13,202 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
NT$13,202
NT$14,136 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Loulé. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 4 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Fonte Benemola Park and Loule Gypsy Market ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (45 reviews)
"Great place for family vacation"

Reviewed on 2025/8/22

Viceroy At Ombria Algarve
Victoria Golf Resort and Spa Managed by Accor

Victoria Golf Resort and Spa Managed by Accor

5 out of 5
Av dos Descobrimentos, Loule, Faro
The price is NT$9,088 per night from Sep 9 to Sep 10
NT$9,088
NT$9,776 total
Sep 9 - Sep 10
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Loulé. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (977 reviews)
"The guest services gentleman could not have been more helpful. He helped navigate us to wonderful destinations and travel shuttles with ease. Truly an asset to the resort."

Reviewed on 2025/8/21

Victoria Golf Resort and Spa Managed by Accor
AP Eva Senses

AP Eva Senses

4 out of 5
Avenida da Republica, 1, Faro
The price is NT$7,248 per night from Sep 22 to Sep 23
NT$7,248
NT$7,790 total
Sep 22 - Sep 23
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Faro. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
"Location great, breakfast super, roof top pool amazing, some of the roof top furniture could do with fixing . Rooms were lovely and clean. Staff friendly and helpful."

Reviewed on 2025/8/13

AP Eva Senses
EPIC SANA Algarve Hotel

EPIC SANA Algarve Hotel

5 out of 5
Praia da Falésia, Pinhal do Concelho, Albufeira
The price is NT$12,935 per night from Sep 12 to Sep 13
NT$12,935
NT$13,853 total
Sep 12 - Sep 13
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Albufeira. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (710 reviews)
"Excellent food and service throughout 7 day stay. Short walk to fabulous beach, great spa and relaxing pool area."

Reviewed on 2025/8/18

EPIC SANA Algarve Hotel
Hotel 3K Faro Aeroporto

Hotel 3K Faro Aeroporto

3 out of 5
Caixa Postal 409-A, Estrada Nacional 125-10, Faro
The price is NT$4,360 per night from Aug 25 to Aug 26
NT$4,360
NT$4,765 total
Aug 25 - Aug 26
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Faro. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews)
"Highly recommend this hotel"

Reviewed on 2025/8/15

Hotel 3K Faro Aeroporto
Holiday Inn Algarve Albufeira by IHG

Holiday Inn Algarve Albufeira by IHG

4 out of 5
Av. do Estádio, PO Box 2445, Albufeira
The price is NT$5,137 per night from Sep 23 to Sep 24
NT$5,137
NT$5,589 total
Sep 23 - Sep 24
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Albufeira. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (252 reviews)
"The Reception Staff was very helpful and courteous. I would recommend this property."

Reviewed on 2025/8/21

Holiday Inn Algarve Albufeira by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighborhoods around Faro Old Town

Faro Cathedral showing heritage elements

Faro City Centre

Faro City Centre is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Faro Marina or A Companhia de Teatro do Algarve.

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Faro Old Town