If you are considering visiting Faro then don't consider anymore..Faro is beautiful and I'll tell you why. First, let's start with the introductions. Faro is the biggest city in the Algarve region of Southern Portugal. It has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate with an estimated population of 60,995 inhabitants (2019).
Benagil Cave
aka one of the most beautiful caves in the world
Benagil Cave is possibly one of the most famous places in Portugal, and for good reason. It was made famous from a photo that went viral on social media, and it quickly became one of the most visited natural attractions of the Algarve.
What is Benagil Cave?
Benagil Cave is a huge sea cave located on the southern coast of Portugal, in the Algarve region. It’s often described also as Benagil Cathedral, because of its huge size and imposing natural formation. It is characterized by two entrances facing the sea and a giant hole on its ceiling. Inside the cave there is also a small beach where you can walk around, dip your feet in the sea and enjoy this stunning sea cave.
From inside the cave you can see all the different shades of gold and amber rock that line the cave walls, telling the history of thousands of years of sea and wind erosion. It’s a sight of incredible natural beauty.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit is as early as possible in the morning before the tide takes over.
See the Dolphins Don't miss taking the tour to look for pods of dolphins around the coast of Albufeira, where marine life and caves abound. Aboard a semi-rigid inflatable boat, you will have access to isolated coastal areas that are difficult to reach by larger boats or by land. A stop for a swim is also a must.
Wine Tasting
Experience the authentic Algarve flavors. Many family vineyards to choose from and visit for a complete tasty Mediterranean experience. Wines are so unique due to their loved quality and high alcoholic volume (17%!)
Faro Municipal Museum
A very interesting and cultural destination is to visit the second oldest museum in the Algarve, opening in 1894 on the 500th anniversary of the birth of Henry the Navigator.
In 1969 it moved to its current home, the 16th-century Nossa Senhora Assunção convent, and the cloister is a solemn home for the museum’s archaeological displays.
The bulk of the collection is from the Roman period, and there are several inscribed stones, a mosaic from the 2nd century and, best of all, a pair of marble busts of Emperor Hadrian and Agrippina.
The remainder of the exhibits tend to be religious works assembled from dissolved monasteries and churches around Faro.
Palácio de Estói
Close to the Roman ruins is an opulent palace that was started in 1840. The style is a kind of Rococo pastiche: The insides have frescos framed by lots of molded stucco, and the terraced gardens have a monumental stairway and a cute pavilion with blue and white azulejo panels.
This whole site was a ruin until a few years ago when it was sensitively restored and reopened as a pousada (heritage hotel). But day-trippers can still come for guided tours of the palace and its refined gardens.
Forum Algarve
If you happen to visit Faro in rainier times you can also visit the shopping mall in Faro’s western outskirts.
It has all of the shops you’d encounter on an Iberian shopping street, so expect brands like Zara, Bershka, fnac, Oysho and Pull & Bear etc.
As well as a large food court there’s a multi-screen cinema at the mall.
And one of the useful things about Portuguese theatres is that, unless stated otherwise with a DOB label, all movies have English sound and Portuguese subtitles.
Last but not least , you should definitely try the
Local Cuisine
The shellfish beds in the Ria Formosa are the source of a few gastronomic specialties.
Caldeirada is a warming Portuguese fish and seafood stew, and will have whitefish like cod, hake or flounder, oily fish like tuna, squid, and locally-produced shellfish such as clams and mussels.
Those farms also give us arroz de lingueirão, which is a simmered rice dish made with razor clams.
Oysters are always best unadulterated, and will be presented with nothing more than a wedge of lemon and glass of white wine.
We hope you enjoy your time and don't forget to include #selenetravel on your hashtags so we can see your lovely memories too!
