 Stork outside my hotel window... with a friend by AnnS | Reviews and photos of Faro attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Faro sightseeing. Faro Map |
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Faro's old town is dominated by the cathedral (Se Catedral). The original Gothic church was built in the 13th century, but severely damaged during the 1755 earthquake. Only the tower and and a doorway remained from that era.
From the tower you can enjoy panoramic views of Faro and the coastline.
Directions:
Faro Cathedral is located at the Largo da Se, just in the heart of Faro's old town. Leave a Comment
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The Arco da Vila is a monumental arch which was designed by the Italian architect Francisco Xavier Fabri. The neo-classicism structure was inaugurated in 1812 on the site of the medieval archway which was destroyed during the 1755 earthquake.
A statue of Thomas Aquinas who is the saint of Faro stands in a niche of the arch.
Directions:
The Arco da Vila is the northern arch in the old town walls and ramparts. It can be fround just at the southern end of the Manuel Bivar Park. Leave a Comment
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The history of Faro's ancient city walls date back to the late Roman period when they were raised by the Moorish prince Ben Bekr. The walls were severly damaged during an attack in the 16th century and later had to be rebuilt. They are home to two barbican towers and various arches.
The medieval city fortification also includes a castle from the 17th century.
Directions:
The city walls surround the oldest part of Faro, which is situated near the sea. Leave a Comment
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The Carmo Church (Igreja do Carmo) was built during the 18th century. From the outside the imposing facade and the twin bell-towers are most remarkable. The inside is dominated by Algarvean Baroque style decorations, religious statuary and paintings. Just next to the Church the Chapel of Bones (Capela dos Ossos) can be found.
Directions:
The Carmo Church is situated at the spacious Largo do Carmo square in the Bairro Ribeirinho district of Faro. Leave a Comment
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The Church of Sao Pedro (Igreja de Sao Pedro) was built in the 16th century on the site of a 15th century mariners chapel. After the 1755 earthqauke it underwent extensive reconstructions. It is one of the many buildings in Faro where you can see storks nestling on the roof.
Directions:
The Church of Sao Pedro is located at the Largo de Sao Pedro (Bairro Ribeirinho district), just south of the Carmo Church. Leave a Comment
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The greatest Portuguese poet of his generation, Joćo de Deus was born at San Bartholomeu de Messines in the province of Algarve on the 8th of March 1830.
Birthplace: Sćo Bartolomeu de Messines, Algarve, Portugal
Died: 11-Jan-1896
Location of death: Lisbon, Portugal
Cause of death: unspecified
AKA: Joćo de Deus Nogueira Ramos
I've never heard of him before. There is a nice little park beside that is named after him. Leave a Comment
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The pretty town of Tavira is just 18 miles east of Faro and can easily be reached by train. The train itself is quaint... metal with very old-fashioned seats... and the line from Faro Railway Station runs right beside the sea.
Tavira Town Centre is just a short walk downhill from the Railway Station and has lots of nice shops and restaurants. If you walk up the cobbled hill by the Tourist Information Office, you come to a Moorish castle and from there, you get fine views of the town and surrounding countryside. There's a lovely little garden up there too which is a fine spot for a rest.
Back down in the town is the River, spanned by three bridges. One of them is Roman and the most interesting thing is that the river has a different name on either side. To the west it's called the Gilćo River and to the east, Sequa River. There's an ancient story that explains it but nobody really knows whether it's true.
If you walk out of town along the river bank, you eventually come to salt marshes... a huge, bleak expanse but part of the Rio Formosa nature reserve and home to many interesting species of bird. I even came upon a flock of flamingoes. At the far end of the road is a small cafe and the Vila Gale Albacora Hotel on a small island nearby, only accessible by boat. You can also take a boat from here to beaches on the islands but in winter, there's really not much to do and it was a long walk back.
Half way through my day in Tavira it started to pour down with rain so I wasn't able to enjoy the town to its full. Nonetheless it's a pretty town and worth a visit. Leave a Comment
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The development of Faro is linked to the names of many men, as is the case of Dom Francisco Gomes de Avelar (1736-1816). This bishop of the Algarve dedicated all his life and fortune to Faro, contributing to the city“s development, mainly through the construction of monuments and other buildings of public interest. The statue was the way found by the population to pay hommage to the bishop, and it stands at the city“s historical center, next to the Bishops Palace and the Mother Church. Leave a Comment Directions: Near the Cathedral
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Faro Harbour is quite small but full of boats and you can watch the local fishermen mending their nets. Beyond the harbour walls you can see the islands of the Rio Formosa which is a nature reserve that spans 60km between Faro and Tavira. It's an important haven for a wide number of bird species and in summer you can take boat trips it but they weren't running in January when I was there.
The square facing the harbour is pretty and has gardens in the middle which is a nice place to sit on a sunny day. The mosaic pavements are beautiful and there are a number of imposing buildings around the square.
There's also a cafe on the waterfront where the service is friendly and the food very good and very cheap. It has tables and chairs outside in summer but even in winter, you get a good view of the harbour because all the walls are glass. Leave a Comment
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As mentioned in the previous tip, Faro's Old Town is entered and exited by two magnificent arches. On entry the walls are not very visible, except when you turn to look back but at the other end, near the remains of the Castle, they have been restored, to quite an impressive level ( photo 2). Only parts of the original 9th century Roman fortifications remain but the restoration is quite tasteful and in places, the height and yellow blocks, reminded me of the walls of Jerusalem ( photo 3). The effect of the walls and the castle ruins peeking overhead is best observed from the water and can be seen quite clearly in Photo4. One of the most endearing things about Faro is the storks nesting on high buildings. On the Arco da Vila there are several nests and this is repeated on almost every tall building in the area. Not having a zoom lens with me, I have no good pics of the storks but if you click on Photo 5 , you will see a stork nesting on the rooftops. Address: Old Town, FaroDirections: To the rear of the Old Town, near Largo de Sao FranciscoWebsite: www.algarvenet.com
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on July 22, 2006
on June 30, 2005
on October 23, 2006
on March 6, 2009
