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Portugal : Faro - June 2008

Country Code: Dial 1 for Portugal

Faro’s long, balmy evenings are enlivened by a succession of colourful festivals celebrating Santo António, São João and São Pedro. Streets are draped in ribbons and ad hoc sardine stalls crop up everywhere, in readiness for the festivities held on 12 June, 23 June and 28 June. Matthew Hancock packs his party bag

Getting around

Faro International Airport

Bus: Eva Bus connects the airport with the city centre. Services run every 30 minutes from 7.05am to 9.15pm. The journey takes 20 minutes and a return ticket costs €4 while a single ticket costs €1,55.
Train: A single journey from the airport to Faro for up to four passengers costs around €15 and takes 15 minutes.
Tourist information: The main tourist office is at 8-11 Rua da Misericordia (tel. , visitportugal.com).

CITY CENTRE

Faro’s cobbled streets throng with people-watchers along Rua Dr Francisco Gomes, Rua de Ivens and Rua de Santo Antonio.

Sleep soundly – Grab a room that faces the harbour at the modern Hotel Faro (rooms from €100).

Culture vultures – The Igreja do Carmo is a fine twin-towered Baroque church sheltering the macabre Capela dos Ossos – a chapel completely lined with the bones of disinterred human skeletons.

Must eat – The rustic-style Adega Nova near the station does superb grills, including bife na pedra (steak that you cook yourself on a hot stone).

Dance the night away – Most of Faro’s nightlife is concentrated along Rua Conselheiro Bivar and Rua do Prior. Conselheiro packs them in til 4am.

Shop til you drop – Rui Garrafeira is a treasure trove of local wines, cheese and confectionery.

MARINA

Take an early evening stroll towards the bobbing boats in the marina.

Sleep soundly – Hotel EVA (rooms from €125) boasts superb marina views, a top-floor restaurant and a small outdoor pool.

Culture vultures – Catch the afternoon openings (although not at weekends) of the tiny Museu Maritimo for an insight into the area’s historical dependence on fishing and maritime life.

Must eat – Much of Portugal’s seafood comes from the tidal mudflats facing Faro. Faro e Benfica is the place to go for oysters, crabs, lobsters or cataplana (seafood simmered with tomatoes, onions and wine).

PRAIA DO FARO

This fantastic sandy beach, lined with cafés and holiday homes, is a short bus ride away. Head west to escape the crowds.

Sleep soundly – The comfy Estalagem Aeromar (rooms from €70) has its own restaurant and café facing the harbour, a stone’s throw from the beach.

Must eat – Caminé is regarded as being one of the Algarve’s best restaurants – the likes of Ruud Guillit and the King of Spain have dined on its sumptuous fish dishes and stews. Closed on Mondays.

Dance the night away – Grab a beachside table at Paquete, a bustling restaurant-bar with the best sunset views around. Closed on Mondays.

LOULÉ

A short ride north of Faro, the little town of Loulé has a small castle and is renowned for its superb Saturday morning gypsy market.

Sleep soundly – Loulé Jardim Hotel (rooms from €60) is a short walk from the market, and has clean, bright rooms. It serves a superb buffet breakfast with plenty of bread and fresh fruit.

Culture vultures – Set within the old town walls, the Museu Arqueologico preserves a fascinating collection of Roman and Moorish pots and coins.

Must eat – With its occasional live music, flower-filled patio and tasty grilled meats A Muralha should be your first port of call – try the regional tapas to start. It’s closed on Sundays, though.

Dance the night away – Catch the Algarve Summer Festival held on 12 June at the nearby Algarve Stadium. This festival will see a roll call of international artists descend on the area, and this year’s programme includes the likes of Lenny Kravitz, Natasha Bedingfield and Da Weasel.

Compiled by Matthew Hancock