Vista a partir da Torre da Sé.

Faro - Faro visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Faro' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Algarve.

Faro is the capital of the Algarve region of Portugal and a very popular tourist destination, close to both Albufeira and Olhão on the edge of the Ria Formosa lagoon. The area has been occupied from the Palaeolithic ages onwards and, under the Romans, Faro was known as 'Ossonoba'.

Ossonoba was captured by the Moors in the 8th century, when it was re-named 'Faro' (أخشونبة) and remained in Moorish hands until 1249 when it was taken by Portuguese King Afonso III. Thereafter, Faro grew in importance, eventually becoming the capital of the Algarve. Faro was protected by the Ria Formosa lagoon from devastating tsunami created by the 1755 earthquake, though many of the buildings were damaged by the quake itself.

Today Faro is an important travel destination in the Algarve, the rich history and beautiful buildings drawing thousands of visitors. Around Faro are numerous popular and beautiful beaches, with hotels and resorts to suit all budgets.

Faro - Attractions

This map shows some of the Faro tourist attractions. Here you will find virtual tours of the various sights, taken by travel photographers, with local and travel information. Some of the attractions in Faro include:

• Faro Old Town and Walls - the Moorish walls around the Old Town of Faro date back to the 9th century and still stand today. The architecture of Faro's Old Town also reflect strong Moorish influence, with white-washed buildings and narrow alleys.
• Faro Cathedral (Sé) - rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake, the cathedral contains Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque features with the Capela de Santo Lenho which contains the tomb of António Pereira da Silva, Bishop of the Algarve from 1704 to 1715.
• Arco da Vila - arched gateway built by the architect Francisco Xavier Fabri with a bell tower, found at the southern end of Jardim Manuel Bivar.
• Ermida S.António do Alto (Chapel of St Anthony on High) - 18th century chapel built in the highest point in Faro containing various paintings to San Antonio and with stunning views over Faro and Olhão.
• Faro Marina (Doca de Faro) - relax in many of the cafes or restaurants on the marina and watch the luxury boats.
• Nossa Senhora do Carmo Church - 18th century Baroque church with stunning gold-leaf woodwork and a chapel lined with the bones from over 1200 monks.
• Praça de Dom Francisco Gomes - important civic square with an obelisk erected in 1910 commemorating the life of Ferreira d'Almeida, who held office as minister of naval affairs and was born in Faro.
• Faro Naval Museum - containing scale models of boats and galleons showing the maritime history of the Algarve.
• Faro Jewish Heritage Centre - with a small cemetery and museum to Jewish history in the Algarve.
• Vila-Adentro - monumental arch built in 1812 by Italian architect Francisco Xavier Fabri over one of the medieval gates in the city walls.
• Misericórdia Church - 16th century church over the old Manueline Espirito Santo (Holy Spirit) chapel and hospital, it is the only church in the Algarve built to a Greek-cross plan.
• Episcopal Palace - 16th century palace partially rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake with distinctive, pyramid shaped 'tesouro' roofs and geometric facade.
• Faro Ramparts and Castle - built by Moorish prince Ben Bekr in the 9th century enhanced in the 12 century with two barbican towers protecting the entrance of Arco do Repouso (Arch of Rest)
• Hermitage of Nossa Senhora do Repouso - small, 18th century chapel built inside one of the Moorish arches set into the ramparts walls.
• Iglesia of São Pedro (Church of St. Peter) - 16th century church extensively rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake.
• Nossa Senhora do Pé da Cruz (Our Lady at the Cross) - 17th century church whose main chapel and triumphal arch are adorned with gilded carving. The church also contains twelve large, 18th century paintings of various scenes from the old testament.

Faro - Beaches

Many of the beaches around Faro are found on the islands within the Ria Formosa lagoon, and are reached by boat. Popular among these are the Blue Flag beach on Ilha da Barreta and the beach on Ilha da Culatra. To the west is the very popular Albufeira Beach.

Faro Tourist Information Centre,
Rua da Misericordia 8-11,
Faro, Algarve.
Phone: 289 803 604.

Bus: regular services from Lisbon and Porto in north Portugal, as well as from Madrid and Seville in Spain.
Boat: Faro Portimao harbour
Flight: Faro Airport (IAT)
Train: Alpha Pendular (High Speed Train) links with Lisbon and regional trains along the coast.