Faro
- Written by Come to Portugal
Faro in Eastern Algarve Portugal, is the Algarve’s biggest city and has the Algarve's main airport. Whilst not so well known as a holiday destination, Faro can be a good base for any holiday. You may not see London as a holiday destination but it still attracts millions every year, and like London Faro has its tour buses and small train that guide you around places of interest without the hassle of a guide book. If you are not planning to stay in Faro, try to visit when you are close to the airport, otherwise you will be missing a great opportunity.
Faro has it fair share of history and culture along with places of interest, such as the marina and small park with it beautiful buildings surrounding it. With a population close to 70,000, it has been the capital of the Algarve since 1756. Due to the decline in trade and the fact that silt caused the river to become difficult to navigate, the former city of Silves lost its popularity as an ancient capital of the Algarve. Faro also stole the crown from Lagos which had been the capital until just after the major earthquake of 1755.
Faro is the main administrative centre for the whole of the Algarve region. The city has both Moorish and Roman ruins, but most of the present older buildings were constructed after the disastrous earthquake, though you would not think so. Many have old wrought iron balconies and parapet walls with statues and urns.
The Moors who occupied the town in the 8th century originally gave the city the name of Ossónoba and developed it into a trading port until 1249. They were then defeated by the forces of Dom Afonso III. Scenes on some of the hand-painted tiles in various buildings depict these times in the history of Portugal. Similar tiles can be seen on the benches in Portimão in the main square near the fountain.
Particularly attractive is the old part of the city surrounded by the Roman walls that date back to the 9th century. Inside a spacious open square that was once the site of the Roman Forum is a 13th century Cathedral that faces the 18th century Episcopal palace. Another nearby building worth a visit is the 16th century convent now the home of the city’s archaeological museum. It covers periods when the Arab occupation ruled.
Next to the small harbour/marina bordering the Praça de Dom Francisco Gomes is a small Naval Museum with intricate detailed scale model ships, boats and galleons showing the maritime history of a navy and working life in Portugal.
There is also the Faro Jewish Heritage Centre, which consists of a cemetery and a small museum. It still has a strong active connection today.
Much of the city is now a thriving one with its everyday shops, restaurants and nightclubs, mainly to cater for those who live in the city centre.
Faro is the home of the Ria Formosa lagoon, a nature reserve of over 17,000 hectares and a stopping place for hundreds of different birds during arrival in the spring mating season, and then migrating in the autumn period.
The beach is a bit of a trek being some 7 kms from the city, and is a long sandy beach reached by crossing a wooden bridge. It is not far from the airport, so don’t be put off as you can still relax and read a book, or just sunbathe.
Faro holds many annual events and fairs and it is well worth contacting the tourist office to see what it is on during your visit.
