If you’re planning a day trip to Faro, whether it is on your way to explore the rest of the Algarve or a day trip from any nearby towns, there are a lot of great things to fill your day with.
From exploring the old town, including the bone chapel and cathedral, to going on a hike to look for flamingos, you’ll soon realize that planning is key to making sure your Faro itinerary is successful.
And that’s where I come into the picture. I’ve been to Faro more times than I can count, and I’ll help you plan the day in a way that you get the most out of it.
With one day in Faro, you can get a good insight into what the beautiful city has to offer. I love the laid-back pace in the Algarve capital and find it highly underrated.
Read on to start planning your Faro day trip!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. That means that if you make a purchase through one of those links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Hi, I’m Linn Haglund, the face behind Brainy Backpackers. I’ve been based in Spain for the last 10+ years, and travel locally and abroad whenever I have a chance. I’m passionate about responsible travel, slow and off the beaten path travel, and outdoor activities, especially hiking. I’m currently slow traveling in my van Persistence (Persi among friends) with my fiancée Mohammed and rescue puppy Atlas. I’m excited to help you explore this planet responsibly!
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How to get to Faro
Faro is the Algarve region’s capital city and home to the only airport in the region. This makes Faro easily reachable from all over Europe, and the proximity to Lisbon and Seville makes travel from outside of Europe easy too.
If you land at any other airport, you can easily rent a car to get to Faro. This way, you can include your one day in Faro in a longer Algarve road trip, which is the absolute best way to see the region.
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Whether you travel by car, bus, or train, Faro is the main hub in the Algarve, and you can’t miss it. Most buses stop in Faro, and you must change in Faro to reach the other Algarve destinations.
Best time to visit Faro in one day
Faro is a great city to visit all year round. In the summer, Faro is vibrant, the beaches are packed, and you will enjoy the energetic yet laid-back vibe of the city. Winter in Faro, is quieter, there are bigger chances of rain, and temperatures are generally lower.
That said, sunny days with 20 degrees Celsius can absolutely occur. The shoulder seasons have milder weather and together with winter, it is the best time to go hiking and explore Ria Formosa Natural Park on foot.
I can guarantee you that no matter what time of the year you go on a day trip to Faro, you will enjoy it. Just remember the umbrella if you go in the winter and spring months.
Where to stay in Faro
If you have 1 day in Faro as a layover and need to spend the night, don’t worry. There are multiple excellent places to stay in Faro. In fact, Faro is considered one of the best places to stay in Algarve for couples, solo travelers, and families alike looking for a more relaxing experience.
That also makes this a great base if you want to uncover the Algarve by going on day trips from Faro instead of checking into new hotels every night.
Here are some of the best hotels in Faro:
LUXURY: 3HB Faro, an excellent hotel with a spa and rooftop pool with sweeping views in the heart of Faro. There is also a bar if you want to relax at the hotel with a quiet drink before calling it a night.
MID-RANGE: Faro Guest House, a lovely guest house within walking distance from all the top attractions in Faro. There is a kitchen to prepare your own food too.
BUDGET: Le Penguin Hostel, a cozy hostel with both shared dorms and private rooms in the heart of Faro. A great place to meet other travelers and a favorite among solo travelers.
Things to do on a day trip to Faro itinerary
Get the chills at the Bone Chapel
Start the day by visiting the most bone-chilling place in Porto, the Bone Chapel. Situated in the courtyard of Igreja da Nossa Senhora do Carmo, you find one of the multiple bone chapels in Portugal.
It is decorated with over 1200 human bones of Carmelite Monks that were extracted from the graves in 1816. They are a memory of the monks’ service and are meant to remind us that life is only temporary.
There is a 2 Euro fee to visit the chapel.
The Carmo Church is also lovely to see. It was started built in 1719 but was mostly damaged by the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, so the entire Baroque façade and belltowers were rebuilt after that.
Visit Faro Cathedral and climb the clock tower
A less macabre church to visit is Faro Cathedral. A fascinating structure where parts date back to the 13th century. The original church was converted into a mosque, then again turned into a church.
Of the most prominent older remains, the clock tower stands out. Make sure you climb it to take in the sweeping views of Faro’s old town, marina, and the Ria Formosa Natural Park. I dare say these are the best views in Faro!
One of my favorite features about the cathedral are the impressive azulejos inside. So if you wonder if it’s worth going inside or not, the answer is yes.
Walk the old town
While you’re in the old town, take some time walking around the enchanting narrow streets, checking out cobblestoned squares, and the unique Portuguese architecture.
Before leaving the Largo da Sé (cathedral square), make sure you check out the City Hall.
Among the top attractions, you find the 19th-century city gate, Arco da Vila, the Municipal Museum of Faro, and the Palacete Belmaro from 1912. There’s also a lot of interesting street art to discover, so keep your eyes peeled!
It’s a true joy to walk around, and it’s close to the marina if you want to enjoy the salty scent of the ocean or take a selfie with the I Love Faro sign.
Lunch in the old town
Grab a quick lunch in the old town to fuel up for the rest of the day. There are plenty of places to eat. If the weather allows, I recommend finding an outdoor table somewhere to enjoy the bypasses and soak up the Faro Old Town vibes.
I particularly like sitting on a square as there is so much happening around and people walking past in all directions.
After lunch, I’ll list two different options, so you can see what fits you the best. I suggest doing option one only if you visit Faro in the winter or in the shoulder seasons, before the summer heat hits hardest.
Option 1: Hike the Ludo Trail
After lunch, it’s time to head outside the city to walk the Ludo Trail. This is the best and easiest way to see birds and even flamingos in the saltpans of Ria Formosa Natural Park in Faro.
It’s an easy and flat walk of about 7 kilometers and takes about 2 hours to complete. The loop trail is mostly on a gravel road and popular among cyclists and hikers alike.
There is not much shade on the trail, so you need to cover your head and slather on enough sunscreen on a hot day.
I also recommend bringing a bit more water than you think you’ll need, even though you’ll get to refreshments after finishing the walk.
It’s only about a 15-minute drive to the trailhead from Faro city center, so even if you don’t have a car, you can easily grab a taxi without spending too much.
Option 2: Go on a boat trip
If it is too hot to hike the Ludo trail or you simply don’t fancy going for a walk, another alternative is to go on a boat tour from Faro. There are many boat tours to choose from, but a tour of the barrier islands of Ria Formosa Natural Park is a great place to start.
The unique swamp landscape is home to numerous unique bird species like vading birds and flamingos, where you can go on a lagoon boat tour.
These landscapes are protected by 5 barrier islands, and on a boat trip to Ria Formosa, you can visit some of these islands, where you will be met by sweeping beaches and untouched nature. This boat tour is great for visiting the barrier islands.
I also really enjoyed this sunset boat trip, so unless you leave Faro before sunset, you could potentially combine the hike and this boat tour.
There is no prettier time of the day to go than when the pink sky reflects in the saltwater lagoons. You might also be lucky and see dolphins along the boat trip, so get out your camera!
Go for a sunset stroll along the beach
A stroll along Faro Beach is a great way to round off a wonderful day. If you walk the Ludo Trail, it’s just a short stroll across the beach to reach it.
If you opted for the boat trip, you can take a taxi there or stay in the old town and enjoy the marina instead, if you prefer that.
In the summer months, you might want to go for a dip too if you went for the walk in the natural reserve.
If you manage to time it for sunset, you’re up for exquisite magnificence!
You might be tired of walking, then you’ll be delighted that there is a whole heap of lovely beach bars where you can have a drink while you take in the salty breeze from the ocean, as the sun sets.
Dinner along the waterfront
There are many bars and restaurants along the waterfront where you can have a nice dinner before ending your Faro one-day itinerary.
If you prefer, head into the city center or the marina, where you have an even larger selection of restaurants, including multiple vegan options. Vegan Box is a personal favorite.
Reflections on a Faro itinerary
As you can tell, there are a lot of wonderful attractions and experiences to be had on a day trip to Faro. I spent way too long overlooking this city as I’m more of a nature kinda gal, but I’m so glad I finally gave it a chance because there is so much to Faro’s friendly atmosphere.
I hope you enjoy your Faro itinerary, and hopefully, you will be back again for more. If you don’t want to spend time exploring Ria Formosa with only a day in Faro, make sure you incorporate it into your Algarve itinerary.
One of the best things to do in Olhao is to take a boat trip to the barrier islands, and among the top things to do in Tavira is a trip to the dreamy Tavira Island.
You can even walk or take a cute little tourist train to the Anchor Cemetery on Barril Beach. So you have plenty of chances to explore the unspoiled nature reserve.
Nonetheless, visiting Faro in one day is absolutely worth it.
Happy travels!
FAQ – Frequently asked questions
Is Faro worth visiting?
Faro is one of the most underrated cities in the Algarve and has a lot of beauty, history, and nature surrounding it, making it a top place to visit.
Where is Faro?
Faro is situated on the coast in the east-central Algarve in southern Portugal.
Is Faro a city?
Faro is a city and the capital of the Algarve region in southern Portugal.
Is Faro in Algarve?
Yes, Faro is the capital city of the Algarve.
Does Faro have a beach?
Yes, Faro has a wonderful beach lined with vibrant beach bars and restaurants, which is located a 15-minute drive from the old town.