Faro: a day in the capital of Algarve
The city of Faro, located in the south of Portugal, is the capital of the Algarve and the main communication point between the east and west of the region. It’s a very accessible town as there are many connections by bus and train to visit this beautiful city. In addition, the international airport of Faro stands out for being the gateway from different parts of Europe to the Algarve and to our coast.
Faro, which is less than 1 hour away from AMA Residences Andalucia, is known for its beautiful beaches and warm climate, which makes it a very popular destination worldwide. But in addition to its beaches, the Lusitanian capital is full of history and culture, with a wide variety of monuments and places of interest that attract visitors from all over.
What to see in Faro
The historic center of Faro, known as Vila Adentro, is characterized by several points of interest delimited by an ancient wall. We recommend that you walk through its cobblestone streets and let yourself be carried away by the characteristic decoration of its houses.
The wall, which gives an oval shape to the old town, dates back to the Roman period. This, in addition to resisting the passage of time, has also faced several attacks by English corsairs and even the devastating earthquake of Lisbon in 1755.
The most touristic entrances to the old town are the Arco da Vila and the Arco de Reposo. The Arco da Vila is a medieval gate that is characterized by having in its small niche the figure of St. Thomas Aquinas. On the other hand, the Arco de Reposo is flanked by two defense towers and was formerly considered the most vulnerable access point.
Tasting the gastronomy of the Algarve in restaurants such as Tertulia Algarvia or Vila Adentro and savoring a bica in the bar O Castelo overlooking the Ria Formosa makes time stand still.
Once you have crossed the wall and entered the historic center, we recommend the sites that you should not miss on your visit to Faro:
Faro Cathedral
The cathedral of Faro, also known as Sé de Faro, dates from the 1521st century. It was built on the foundations of an ancient Roman temple and with the passage of history and the different peoples who have settled in the Algarve, has a mixture of various architectural styles. It is currently the seat of the Diocese of the Algarve.
You can climb its tower to enjoy the views of the city and its surroundings.
The Igreja do Carmo and the Chapel of the Bones
The Igreja do Carmo (Carmo Church) is a baroque style construction from the 17th century. It is one of the most interesting places to see in Faro. Despite being a little further away from the center, this church is one of the main attractions due to its Chapel of the Bones.
The Chapel was inaugurated in 1819. It was built from more than 1000 skeletons of Carmelite monks exhumed from the cemeteries of Faro for having exceeded their capacity.
A walk along the Rua de Santo Antonio
As we mentioned at the beginning of the article, our recommendation is to stroll through the characteristic streets of the city center. The Rua de Santo Antonio is one of the liveliest thanks to the great variety of typical restaurants of the area and its handicraft stores.
On your walk through these streets and a 5 minute walk from Rua de Santo Antonio you will come across the Plaza de Alfonso III, a picturesque square that gives location to the Municipal Museum of Faro if you want to delve even deeper into the history of the city.
Faro Marina
The Faro Marina is located on the Ria Formosa estuary. Although not as striking as Vilamoura’s marina it offers the possibility to discover the valuable ecosystem of the area and visit the nearby islands (Barreta, Farol, Deserta…) as well as enjoying one of the best sunsets in the area. In addition, you will find the famous sign with the letters of Faro, the Jardim Manuel Bívar and, on weekends, a small craft fair.
If you are looking for an atmosphere for dinner or drinks, in the nearby Rua Conselheiro Bivar and the streets that cross it, you will find an ideal environment full of bars and restaurants for all tastes.
Shopping centers in Faro less than an hour away from AMA Residences Andalucía
To make the most of your visit to the capital of the Algarve, the main shopping centers closest to AMA Residences are Forum Algarve , Designer Outlet Algarve and MAR Shopping Algarve .
In both shopping centers you will find a wide variety of stores that will provide an answer to each of your needs and, in addition, you can enjoy a gastronomic offer that suits all tastes.
We hope you find interesting our proposal of places of interest to spend a full day in Faro, less than 1 hour from AMA Residences Andalucia. If you have any questions about your visit, we will be happy to help you.
Fuente: designeroutletalgarve.com
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