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Faro Holidays – Lively provincial capital with a charming old town
The lively provincial capital of Faro is often overlooked by visitors rushing off to the famous Algarve beach resorts. Holidays in Faro offer the opportunity to get a taste of real Portuguese life in a historic town with a likeably vibrant atmosphere. Faro is just 5 miles east of Faro airport. Faro holidays tend to focus on the picturesque historic old town, the Cidade Velha, with its charming cobbled streets. Faro has an interesting mix of well-restored buildings of varying architectural styles, all enclosed by crumbling medieval walls. The old town has a charming square lined with orange trees, a cathedral, a 16th century convent, museums and fine churches, including the extraordinary Igreja do Carmo.
Faro holidays – Far less tourist orientated than the beach resorts
The other focus of Faro holidays is the attractive atmospheric harbour with its waterfront cafes. Faro holidays offer visitors an excellent choice of shops and a colourful daily market, a good place to pick up local produce, ceramics, embroidery and clothing. Faro has plenty of pedestrianised streets and gardens. Faro is far less tourist orientated than the beach resorts so Faro holidays can sample a much more authentically Portuguese selection of traditional bars and restaurants. Faro holidays offer street entertainment and a vibrant nightlife scene, with live music, dozens of music bars and several trendy late-night clubs. If you are lucky your Faro holidays will coincide with one of Faro’s colourful festivals.
Faro holidays – Head for the beach or explore country villages
For a beach in Faro most visitors and locals take the bus to Praia de Faro, a large broad stretch of sand backed by dunes, with plenty of bars and restaurants. Holidays in Faro can take advantage of excellent transport connections in both directions along the Algarve coast and to Lisbon. To the west of Faro are the beach resorts of Quarteira, Vilamoura and Albufeira, while Tavira is to the east. Faro holidays are ideally placed for exploring the surrounding rich farmland with its almond trees, figs, olive groves and fruit orchards. Faro holidays should include a look at the villages of Almancil and Estoi with its palace and Roman remains. Birdwatchers on holiday in Faro should head to the Ria Formosa nature reserve, a haven for migrating birds.
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