Things to Do in Faro: Old Town, Islands and the Chapel of Bones

Most visitors only see Faro from the airport, which is a shame. The Algarve’s capital has a charming walled old town, a chapel lined with human bones, storks nesting on the rooftops and island beaches in the Ria Formosa just a boat ride away. It’s perfect for your first or last night in the Algarve, or a day trip.

Quick answer: walk through the Arco da Vila into the old town, climb the cathedral tower (about €5) for lagoon views, see the Chapel of Bones (€2, cash), take a boat to Ilha Deserta (€10 return) or the bus to Praia de Faro. Nearby: the Roman ruins of Milreu (€2) and the tiled church of São Lourenço in Almancil.

The old town (Cidade Velha)

• Arco da Vila: the grand 19th-century gateway into the walled old town. Look up for the storks’ nests on top.
• Faro Cathedral (Sé): climb the bell tower for wonderful views over the rooftops and the Ria Formosa lagoon. About €5, including the museum.
• Largo da Sé: a peaceful square lined with orange trees.
• Museu Municipal: in a 16th-century convent, with Roman mosaics found nearby. A few euros.
• The city walls and quiet cobbled lanes, best in the late afternoon light.

The Chapel of Bones (Capela dos Ossos)

Behind the baroque Igreja do Carmo, a small chapel built from the bones and skulls of over 1,000 monks. Eerie and fascinating, with a reminder over the door that we’ll all end up the same way. About €2 for the church and chapel, cash only. Open weekdays (with a lunch break) and Saturday mornings.

The Ria Formosa and the islands

• Ilha Deserta (Barreta): an almost empty island beach at the southernmost point of mainland Portugal. The slow ferry from Portas do Mar takes about 45 minutes (€10 return); a speedboat is about €20 return.
• Ilha de Faro (Praia de Faro): a long beach reached by road. Take bus 16 from the centre, via the airport.
• Boat tours: island hopping, birdwatching (flamingos, spoonbills) and eco tours of the lagoon. See the best Algarve boat trips or browse Faro tours.

Near Faro

• Milreu Roman ruins (Estoi, 15 minutes): the remains of a Roman villa with fish mosaics. €2, closed Mondays.
• Palácio de Estoi: a pink rococo palace, now a pousada hotel, with lovely gardens.
• São Lourenço, Almancil (15 minutes): a small church entirely covered inside in blue-and-white azulejos. €2, and no photos allowed inside.
• Olhão (15 minutes): a fishing town with a great market and ferries to car-free islands. See Tavira and the eastern Algarve.
• Loulé (20 minutes): a beautiful Moorish-style market hall and a busy Saturday market.

Food and drink

Try seafood from the Ria Formosa, especially clams and oysters, and cataplana. The streets around Rua de Santo António and the marina are full of restaurants and cafés, and Faro has a lively student bar scene.

Getting there and around

• From the airport: about 10 minutes by taxi, or bus 16 (about 20 minutes).
• Train: Faro is on the Algarve line to Lagos and Vila Real de Santo António, and on the main line to Lisbon. See Lisbon to the Algarve.
• Walking: the centre, old town and marina are all close together.

Staying in Faro

Faro is ideal for a first or last night near the airport, and it’s more authentic than the big resorts. See places to stay in Faro, or compare towns in where to stay in the Algarve.

Arriving by plane? See Faro airport transfers.

From our sister blog: Olhão, the hidden gem of the Algarve on Sunset Travellers.

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