The provincial capital of the Algarve, Faro is a modern, lively city with attractive shopping precincts, good restaurants and a frenetic nightlife. 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.
Faro's main shopping area is in the heart of town along the Rua Santo Antonio and the Rua Francisco Gomes. 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 basketware and embroidered goods, local wines and traditional clothing. Also sought after are locally made ceramic tiles decorated with traditional motifs.
A huge variety of restaurants and food stores line the pedestrianised Rua de Santo Antonio, catering for all tastes and budgets. 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, A Tasca on the Rua del Alportel is a good bet, or Carmane on the beach for superior dining
Being a university city, Faro has a vibrant student population who ensure that nightlife keeps pumping. 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.
Faro's main attraction is its quaint old town, where visitors can wander and enjoy some architectural sightseeing and brush up on their history. 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 sunbeds can be hired and all sorts of watersports undertaken.
Faro is a bustling, working city and not a holiday resort town as such, the emphasis being on its historical attractions rather than fun in the sun.
Encircled by pine trees and overlooking a white sandy beach and clear blue waters, this hotel offers the ultimate in comfort and leisure facilities.Spend your time on the 9-hole golf course or mini golf, or take time out to relax in the health club or outdoor pools. Try something different with the water sports facilities, or use one of 5 tennis courts for a energetic morning.Drive along the coast to Olhos de Agua or Albufeira to see more of the Algarve's impressive coastline before returning to your comfortable hotel and its wealth of facilities. Choose how to spend your evening from a number of restaurants serving different types of cuisine.
Located near to Lagos Marina and only 5 minutes from the city centre and the beach, Marina Park is composed of several small apartment blocks, with ample green areas and gardens. The apartments are spacious and are decorated in a modern way, all of them with big balconies, offering comfort and space. The complex has a snack bar, a swimming pool for adults, a separate children's pool and tennis courts.
Blend a colourful casino with views over the still, blue ocean and golden sand of Praia da Rocha beach, to create this 5-star hotel.With 2 swimming pools, 3 restaurants, cushioned lounges, lush gardens and the beach on your doorstep, you will be spoilt for choice at this hotel. Not to mention the children's playground and water sports during the summer.Reinvigorate body and mind with a massage or session in the sauna, Turkish bath, hairdresser or jacuzzi. Get active in the fitness centre, or simply enjoy the marvellous beach stretched out before you.Make good use of the hotel's free WiFi internet access and free parking.Travel around the local area for golf courses, or simply busy yourself with the hotel's many facilities. Let a win in the casino put a smile on your face and provide a good end to a great day.
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Integrated in one of the most beautiful and historical landscapes of the Algarve, the hotel is the ideal starting point to explore the Algarve coast, its romantic cliffs and endless fine sandy beaches.Aqualuz features a welcoming and family atmosphere in a year-round sunny climate. Its recent renovation and expansion has created a new image; a unique blend of modernity, comfort and functionality that will make your stay a memorable event.During your stay you can relax or take advantage of one of the many services, including: 4 swimming-pools; natural rooftop solarium; and a peaceful garden area.
Ideal for couples, this new resort combines Atlantic Ocean views with a relaxing atmosphere, on the highest part of São Rafael. A walk away from São Rafael beach and a quick journey from Albuferia, you are well located to enjoy a holiday in the beautiful Algarve. You will have multiple opportunities to relax with 2 outdoor swimming pools, one indoor pool and jacuzzi. Or if you plan to keep active, make good use of the tennis court or the hotel gymnasium. An ideal base from which to explore the Algarve, take the chance to experience life in many of the surrounding towns and villages, including Silves and Monchique.
This 5-star Suite Hotel, with 105 Deluxe Rooms (Double rooms, Suites and Family Suites), is near the São Rafael beach, west of Albufeira. It offers deluxe fittings, modern furnishings, panoramic elevators, restaurants, bar, meeting rooms, the Relax Center with cosmetic and massage treatments, heated indoor pool, saunas, jacuzzi, steam baths, 3 outdoor pools, tennis court, Kid's Club (for children 3 - 11 years), multi-purpose grass pitch, 18-hole putting green, 18-hole golf course at only 5 min. from the hotel, São Rafael beach concession (500m from the hotel) with a seasonal shuttle service, restaurant and bar with a terrace and free sunbathing facilities for hotel guest (with sun beds, sunshades and a towel service).
Given that Faro is less of a tourist destination than the rest of the Algarve, the shopping experience in the city is much more authentic than what you'd find elsewhere. Rather than jostling with other tourists for the nearest tchtochke at the local tourist trap souvenir booth, you can instead shop shoulder to shoulder with real residents where they shop. The main shopping districts are found lining the streets of Rua Santo Antonio and Rua Francisco Gomes. If you're staying for awhile and have access to your kitchen, consider making a meal from fresh produce bought at the local green market located on Large do Mercado.
Traditional handicrafts that make great souvenirs from the area include woven items such as baskets, embroidered textiles, local wines and aperitifs, and hand-painted ceramics.
Each course is different from the others, but all provide a challenging round of golf in a beautifully scenic setting.
If golf isn't your thing, but getting a tan is, then head to the beach. The beach provides the ideal location to work on your 'I've been on vacation" tan or if you prefer to be more active, beach and watersports also abound.
For those with an inclination for natural history, you'll want to spend some time at Ria Formosa Nature Reserve. This estuary is a birder's paradise. Ria Formosa is a migratory stop-off point for a number of bird species, meaning during the right time of year, there's a a good chance you can knock several species off your life-list.
Eating
Head for the pedestrianised area on either side of Rua de Santo Antonio for a huge choice of restaurants, cafes and bakeries selling almond delicacies. There are eateries for all budgets.
Budget: Tasca (Rua del Alportel 38) offering Algarve specialities.
Mid-Range: Ginásio Clube Naval (Doca de Faro) with its terrace right on the harbour and Fim do Mundo, (Rua Vasco de Gama). The city’s oldest fish restaurant is Adega Dois Irmãos (Largo Terreiro do Bispo 13-15), where the days catch is displayed in the window.
Luxury: Ocean Restaurant (Vila Vita Parc, Porches) Fine gourmet food alongside stunning ocean views. Reservations only.
Drinking
Lively bars, many with guest DJ’s and live bands, are centred round Rua Conselheiro Bivar and Rua do Prior and Rua da Madalena. Things don’t tend to get going until around midnight!
Things To See And Do
Faro itself has both Arab and Roman ruins – the old part of the city is still surrounded by the Roman walls – but most of the attractive older buildings were constructed after the earthquakes of 1755 and 1532.
Inside a spacious open square that was once the site of the Roman Forum is a 13th century cathedral. The neighbouring 16th century convent is now the home of the city’s archaeological museum. The “golden” church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo is possibly the best example of gold-leaf woodwork in southern Portugal. It also contains the macabre spectacle of a chapel lined with the bones of 1,200 monks!
Don’t miss Faro’s small harbour with its cluster of cafes and sleek yachts. Nearby is a little Naval Museum (Museu Marítimo).
Modern Faro boasts the Centro Ciéncia Viva or Centre for Living Science on the waterfront Rua Com Francisco Manuel. Located in Faro’s former electricity generating Station, there are interactive exhibits, a flight simulator and rock pool making it a great place for kids.
Shopping
As well as Faro’s many traditional shopping streets with something for everyone, is the town’s monthly market. Good buys are linen, leather, rugs, pottery and wines.
Beyond The City
There are plenty of beachside hotels and a wide variety of water sports available, but if you prefer a more intimate kind of accommodation, there are many tourist villages whose white houses are designed in the traditional Moorish style. If you are a keen golfer, the Algarve has a whole host of courses overlooking the sea where you can play golf all year round. All along the Atlantic costal strip of Portugal are to be found fabulous beaches of golden sand sheltered by red cliffs and sandstone rocks, sculpted into remarkable shapes by erosion.
Faro’s Ria Formosa lagoon on the outskirts of the city is a nature reserve of over 17,000 hectares and a stopping place for hundreds of different migrating birds during spring and autumn. The town’s beach (Praia de Faro) is not far from the International Airport.
Beyond it are the well-known developments of Quinta do Lago and Vale de Lobo, both five-star holiday areas – together they provide seven top-quality golf courses, tennis centres, riding schools, hotels, holiday resorts and villas. Further inland and to the north, the Algarve’s hills mark the edge of a greener and more fertile region, where you will also find villages that have hung on to their ancestral traditions.
Choose from one of the many resorts on the Algarve which has everything you could want from a holiday; beautiful beaches, warm blue sea, year round sunshine, low cost prices... and of course great bars!
These resorts include Faro Town, Quarteira and Albufeira... offering a contrast of vibrant holiday spots alongside the more traditional Portugal. Book cheap flights to Faro online with Jet2.com to sample the Portuguese beaches and seas whilst on a low cost break in the sun.
The most lasting legacy is visible in the almond and citrus groves that you see as you look down from the castle walls across the surrounding countryside. It was the Moors who introduced these crops, along with the irrigation system. Visit the castle; climb onto the mighty red sandstone walls to appreciate the commanding position of this fortress. You can also park your rental car of Silves car hire nearby the castle.
From the castle , narrow cobbled streets descend steeply to the cathedral and the archaeological museum. The best place to see what has been found so far is in the museum, built around a large, fascinating Arab well. From the museum it is a short stroll through the Torreão das Portas da Cidade, the medieval gate, to the main square, the Praça do Municipio, with the town hall, ancient pillory and pavement cafés. Shop-lined streets lead from here down to the covered market and the embankments of the River Arade, where pavement cafés over views of the town ´s medieval bridge.
The main thoroughfare is pedestrianised and town centre parking can be a problem. Outside of the city-centre are large parking areas where you can leave your rental car of Silves car hire.
Algarve´s golf courses are among the best of the world. This region is known as a true golf paradise and widely regarded as the foremost golf holiday destination in Europe. At the last count there were 22 golf complexes, 32 separate courses and over 549 widely differing holes to play along the south coast of the Algarve – and another two complexes and 45 holes within easy driving distance just over the Spanish border.
Famous golf courts in the Albufeira área area:
The Salgados Golf course is situated very close to the sea. The course is set on the flat lands behind the sandy beach of Praia de Galé. The environmental nature of the course is to associate it with a typical Links Course but with the added asset of the sun. It is very open to the elements with little vegetation and lots of water hazards. Water is a permanent hazard on the course, coming into play on almost every hole. You need to play straight on this challenging layout. It requires a technically skilled player to achieve a good result from a round due to the prevailing onshore breeze. Salgados provides a contrast to any other course in the area and is fine if you're looking for something different, but is nonetheless not one of our favourites.
The Salgados Golf course has excellent conditions to leave your hire car of Albufeira car hire.
The Pine cliffs Golf course: Opened in 1990 the pine cliffs course is one of Portugal's most original 9- hole golf courses, built in a pine wood at the edge of spectacular cliffs, overlooking the beautiful beaches of the Algarve and the Atlantic beyond. The prize of the course is its ninth over a ravine with beautiful views down on the sandy beach, locally nicknamed the "Devil’s Parlour". This small and beautiful course is set among the pine trees and presents a pleasant and charming course with good greens. The nine hole course is not very long - only two holes run to more than 360 metres - yet, despite this, it presents an interesting challenge for the golfer, regardless of handicap. As well as concerning himself with the playing area. The surrounding land is undisturbed, and largely as it was before the course was built.This perfectly kept golf course opens with two undemanding holes, but the challenge gets tougher from the third hole. The World famous “devils parlour”, a challenging PAR 3 crossing the cliffs, offers breathtaking views to the near Atlantic Ocean.
You can leave your hire car of Albufeira car hire at the parking area nearby.
Balaia Golf course: Opened in April 2001 this small and attractive 9-hole course offers the opportunity to improve your iron shots and your short game. It carries the title of "Executive Course" which in its name implies the quality of its layout and subtle challenges. Located at the back of a Holiday Complex it presents from the first tee a charming view of most of the course with the ribbon of blue sea as its background. A course to test the ability to control shot length and direction. This is a course to test every golfer, irrespective of handicap. You can go out and play eighteen holes to concentrate on your short game, without the drilling which time on a practice ground sometimes implies. Alternatively, you can just play nine, leaving plenty of time for things.
The Balaia Golf course has excellent conditions to leave your hire car of Albufeira car hire.
The coastline around Albufeira features several good bays where the beach areas have attracted hotel development, including Praia do Galé, 8km west, which offers excellent watersport facilities. It has a wide variety of tourist facilities.
Galé has an expanse of sand tat stretches of miles, between cliffs. A two-part beach, larger and more open to the west of the parking area,where you can leave your hire car of Gale car hire. Easy acces, well signposted from the traffic light crossroads south of Guia on the Albufeira-Pêra road.
Algarve´s golf courses are among the best of the world. This region is known as a true golf paradise and widely regarded as the foremost golf holiday destination in Europe. At the last count there were 22 golf complexes, 32 separate courses and over 549 widely differing holes to play along the south coast of the Algarve – and another two complexes and 45 holes within easy driving distance just over the Spanish border.Golf is an all-year around sport but the remain season is from October to May.
There are lessons from professionals available on all Lagos courses. Unlike in Britain, all of the Algarve´s courses are open for visitors. Most of them require a handicap certificate; all insist on a dress code and proper course etiquette.
Famous golf courts in the Gale área area:
The Salgados Golf course is situated very close to the sea. The course is set on the flat lands behind the sandy beach of Praia de Galé. The environmental nature of the course is to associate it with a typical Links Course but with the added asset of the sun. It is very open to the elements with little vegetation and lots of water hazards. Water is a permanent hazard on the course, coming into play on almost every hole. You need to play straight on this challenging layout. It requires a technically skilled player to achieve a good result from a round due to the prevailing onshore breeze. Salgados provides a contrast to any other course in the area and is fine if you're looking for something different, but is nonetheless not one of our favourites.
The Salgados Golf course has excellent conditions to leave your hire car of Galé car hire.
The Pine cliffs Golf course: Opened in 1990 the pine cliffs course is one of Portugal's most original 9- hole golf courses, built in a pine wood at the edge of spectacular cliffs, overlooking the beautiful beaches of the Algarve and the Atlantic beyond. The prize of the course is its ninth over a ravine with beautiful views down on the sandy beach, locally nicknamed the "Devil’s Parlour". This small and beautiful course is set among the pine trees and presents a pleasant and charming course with good greens. The nine hole course is not very long - only two holes run to more than 360 metres - yet, despite this, it presents an interesting challenge for the golfer, regardless of handicap. As well as concerning himself with the playing area. The surrounding land is undisturbed, and largely as it was before the course was built.This perfectly kept golf course opens with two undemanding holes, but the challenge gets tougher from the third hole. The World famous “devils parlour”, a challenging PAR 3 crossing the cliffs, offers breathtaking views to the near Atlantic Ocean.
You can leave your hire car of Galé car hire at the parking area nearby.
Balaia Golf course: Opened in April 2001 this small and attractive 9-hole course offers the opportunity to improve your iron shots and your short game. It carries the title of "Executive Course" which in its name implies the quality of its layout and subtle challenges. Located at the back of a Holiday Complex it presents from the first tee a charming view of most of the course with the ribbon of blue sea as its background. A course to test the ability to control shot length and direction. This is a course to test every golfer, irrespective of handicap. You can go out and play eighteen holes to concentrate on your short game, without the drilling which time on a practice ground sometimes implies. Alternatively, you can just play nine, leaving plenty of time for things.
The Balaia Golf course has excellent conditions to leave your hire car of Gale car rental.
The provincial capital of the Algarve, Faro is a modern, lively city with attractive shopping precincts, good restaurants and a frenetic nightlife. 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.
Faro's main shopping area is in the heart of town along the Rua Santo Antonio and the Rua Francisco Gomes. 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 basketware and embroidered goods, local wines and traditional clothing. Also sought after are locally made ceramic tiles decorated with traditional motifs.
A huge variety of restaurants and food stores line the pedestrianised Rua de Santo Antonio, catering for all tastes and budgets. 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, A Tasca on the Rua del Alportel is a good bet, or Carmane on the beach for superior dining
Being a university city, Faro has a vibrant student population who ensure that nightlife keeps pumping. 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.
Faro's main attraction is its quaint old town, where visitors can wander and enjoy some architectural sightseeing and brush up on their history. 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 sunbeds can be hired and all sorts of watersports undertaken.
Faro is a bustling, working city and not a holiday resort town as such, the emphasis being on its historical attractions rather than fun in the sun.
Encircled by pine trees and overlooking a white sandy beach and clear blue waters, this hotel offers the ultimate in comfort and leisure facilities.Spend your time on the 9-hole golf course or mini golf, or take time out to relax in the health club or outdoor pools. Try something different with the water sports facilities, or use one of 5 tennis courts for a energetic morning.Drive along the coast to Olhos de Agua or Albufeira to see more of the Algarve's impressive coastline before returning to your comfortable hotel and its wealth of facilities. Choose how to spend your evening from a number of restaurants serving different types of cuisine.
Located near to Lagos Marina and only 5 minutes from the city centre and the beach, Marina Park is composed of several small apartment blocks, with ample green areas and gardens. The apartments are spacious and are decorated in a modern way, all of them with big balconies, offering comfort and space. The complex has a snack bar, a swimming pool for adults, a separate children's pool and tennis courts.
Blend a colourful casino with views over the still, blue ocean and golden sand of Praia da Rocha beach, to create this 5-star hotel.With 2 swimming pools, 3 restaurants, cushioned lounges, lush gardens and the beach on your doorstep, you will be spoilt for choice at this hotel. Not to mention the children's playground and water sports during the summer.Reinvigorate body and mind with a massage or session in the sauna, Turkish bath, hairdresser or jacuzzi. Get active in the fitness centre, or simply enjoy the marvellous beach stretched out before you.Make good use of the hotel's free WiFi internet access and free parking.Travel around the local area for golf courses, or simply busy yourself with the hotel's many facilities. Let a win in the casino put a smile on your face and provide a good end to a great day.
Integrated in one of the most beautiful and historical landscapes of the Algarve, the hotel is the ideal starting point to explore the Algarve coast, its romantic cliffs and endless fine sandy beaches.Aqualuz features a welcoming and family atmosphere in a year-round sunny climate. Its recent renovation and expansion has created a new image; a unique blend of modernity, comfort and functionality that will make your stay a memorable event.During your stay you can relax or take advantage of one of the many services, including: 4 swimming-pools; natural rooftop solarium; and a peaceful garden area.
Ideal for couples, this new resort combines Atlantic Ocean views with a relaxing atmosphere, on the highest part of São Rafael. A walk away from São Rafael beach and a quick journey from Albuferia, you are well located to enjoy a holiday in the beautiful Algarve. You will have multiple opportunities to relax with 2 outdoor swimming pools, one indoor pool and jacuzzi. Or if you plan to keep active, make good use of the tennis court or the hotel gymnasium. An ideal base from which to explore the Algarve, take the chance to experience life in many of the surrounding towns and villages, including Silves and Monchique.
This 5-star Suite Hotel, with 105 Deluxe Rooms (Double rooms, Suites and Family Suites), is near the São Rafael beach, west of Albufeira. It offers deluxe fittings, modern furnishings, panoramic elevators, restaurants, bar, meeting rooms, the Relax Center with cosmetic and massage treatments, heated indoor pool, saunas, jacuzzi, steam baths, 3 outdoor pools, tennis court, Kid's Club (for children 3 - 11 years), multi-purpose grass pitch, 18-hole putting green, 18-hole golf course at only 5 min. from the hotel, São Rafael beach concession (500m from the hotel) with a seasonal shuttle service, restaurant and bar with a terrace and free sunbathing facilities for hotel guest (with sun beds, sunshades and a towel service).
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