Many people say that Faro – the capital of the Algarve – is located on Europe’s most scenic coast. Here beautiful, long
sandy beaches stretch away into the distance, framed by rocks on either side.
Faro is a charming old town with cobbled streets and leafy parks. Its location in the centre of the Algarve makes Faro
the perfect starting point for round-trips.Faro’s old town is not so old (it was burned down by English troops in 1596, later rebuilt, and then destroyed by the
earthquake of 1755), but beautiful and pedestrian-friendly. Next to the citadel’s ring-wall is the small harbour from where
the newer and livelier town stretches away to the north and east.
The gardens next to the harbour, Jardim Manuel Bivar, are a good starting point. At
the upper end the city’s main shopping area begins – a little network of pedestrian
streets with all kind of shops, cafés and restaurants. From here, going north you
come to some of Faro’s famous churches – for example, Igreja do Carmo – or going
north-west via the Largo 25 de Abril roundabout you arrive at the fresh produce
market. Going straight to the west, you will eventually reach the slightly uphill
Avenida 5 de Outubro, which ends in front of Faro’s magnificent Liceu (grammar
school). Here you are rewarded with a broad vista of Faro, the wetlands of Ria
Formosa and the sea.