Flights to Faro

Transfers across the Algarve

Faro's compact terminal is the arrival point for most Algarve holidays. Buses run into Faro town in about 20 minutes, and taxis take 10 to 15. By road, Vilamoura is around 25 minutes away, Albufeira about 40 minutes and Lagos roughly an hour, while Tavira is about half an hour east. Many hotels and villas include transfers, and car hire is useful if you plan to explore beyond your resort. Electronic toll roads cover the main A22 motorway, so ask your hire company about a transponder.

Faro's old town

Many visitors skip Faro on the way to the beach, but the Cidade Velha, the old town inside medieval walls, is worth an afternoon. You enter through the Arco da Vila, an arched gate topped by a stork's nest, and the cathedral tower looks over the lagoon. The Carmo Church has a chapel lined with the bones of monks, and the marina and pedestrian streets fill with cafes in the evening.

Lagoons, cliffs and coves

The Ria Formosa Natural Park is a maze of lagoons, salt marshes and barrier islands protected from the Atlantic. Ferries and boat trips from Faro reach the sandy islands of Culatra and Deserta, and flamingos often feed in the shallows. West of Albufeira the coast changes to golden cliffs, with sea caves near Benagil and rock stacks at Ponta da Piedade by Lagos. Golf courses around Vilamoura and Quinta do Lago draw players all year.

When to book

Summer is hot and sunny, with highs around 30°C and warm sea from July to September. Winter days often reach 16°C, which suits walking and golf, and almond trees blossom inland in late winter. School holidays push fares up sharply, so book early for August and half-term.

Want Faro with a city break in Lisbon? Call 020 7871 4545 for a one-way or open-jaw quote.