F aro, as the capital of Portugal’s Algarve region – a holidaymaker favourite – is not exactly short of things to do. Waterparks galore, history aplenty and a wild nightlife combine to make one of the most exciting destinations in Europe. It’s also easy tofind affordable Faro flights, particularly if you book outside of the traditional summer holiday periods.
But despite myriad reasons to stay in the city centre, it’s still worth taking a look at what’s outside, just in case you fancy a change of pace or atmosphere. With that in mind, here are our top five day trip suggestions from the Algarve capital.
Loule
A nice and close option, Loule is just a 40 minute bus ride from Faro and features an atmosphere untouched by time and the modern world. Ancient quarters and castle ruins, craft marketplaces and fantastic workshops – this splendid little town has everything to offer and feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of Faro’s city centre. Despite being somewhat touristy, it’s often deserted if you venture over at the right time of year. Make sure you visit one of the local restaurants for traditional Portuguese cuisine. Nandos, eat your heart out.
Fatima
If you’re interested at all in Portugal’s religious history and architecture, look no further than Fatima. The parish is perhaps most famous for its Sanctuary of Fatima, the construction of which was prompted by an apparition of the Virgin Mary. A splendid building that looks as impressive and awe-inspiring as the day it was first constructed, the Sanctuary is a definite highlight of the town, but don’t forget to go wandering through the labyrinth of streets in search of hidden treasures.
Gibraltar
Not many people realise it’s just a daytrip away from Faro, but this fascinating territory of the UK is actually surprisingly close. Particularly well-known for its population of Barbary Macaques, you’ll be able to experience all manner of attractions, including crumbling fortifications and the Second World War tunnels constructed deep within the Rock itself. The towns also do an excellent job of representing Gibraltar’s vast melting pot of cultures – be sure to sample some of the local cuisines.
Lagos
Gorgeous beaches, brilliant seafood restaurants and an active nightlife – is there anything Lagos hasn’t got? Steeped in history and culture, this location is a seriously popular destination among tourists for all the right reasons, and at just under two hours away from Faro, it just about fits our criteria as an awesome day trip location. Travel there early in the day to make the most of everything it has to offer – there are some stunning cliffside walks to be done, as well as the local culture to experience.
Seville
For a quintessential Spanish experience, you need only drive for two hours from Faro to Seville, which contains some stunning architecture dating back centuries. Be sure to visit the Metropol Parasol by German architect Jurgen Mayer, which is a more recent example than some of the churches. The mind boggles at the gorgeous organic shapes he created.
