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Have you ever thought about visiting southern Portugal? The Algarve region offers so much, especially for solo female travelers! Faro is an excellent place to make a base if you plan not to have a car. You will have some great destinations within your reach. Read on for the best day trips from Faro!
Best Day Trips From Faro
Depending on how many days you have to visit Faro, you can make a number of day trips! I spent five nights in Faro and made two-day trips! Each of the towns I visited were within an hour of Faro by train.
Before I get into which towns are closest and the best to visit for a day trip, let me tell you all about Faro!
Faro Cultural by Night Segway Tour
Get a comprehensive understanding of Faro with this fantastic tour! A quick 1 and half hour tour of all the highlights in Faro!
Is Faro Worth Visiting?
Faro, located in southern Portugal, is adorable but very small. It isn’t as exciting as Lisbon or Porto, but perfect for a relaxing holiday!
Being a travel addict, you might get restless after two nights of exploring. I spent five nights down in southern Portugal. And, at dinner on the first night, I knew I needed to find some day trips from Faro.
Things to Do in Faro
One of the main attractions in Faro is the medieval fortified old town, Cidade Velha. Old town Faro does not disappoint. The most impressive gate is called the Arco Da Villa. If you are looking for some of the most Instagramable spots in Faro, head to the Arco Da Villa!
Within the walled city is the Faro Cathedral. This is Roman Catholic Cathedral constructed in the late 13th century. The Faro Cathedral is open daily to the public.
Leave time in your schedule to visit Capela de Ossos Bone Chapel, also known as the bone church of Faro! Located outside of the old town. There you will find a small chapel with walls and ceilings covered in human bones!
Faro also has great Portuguese food! Incredible dining experiences are what make or break a trip for me. So with that all in mind, I was happy with my choice of destination. I found that I answered my question of “Is Faro Worth Visiting” with a hell yes!
Get the FREE GOOGLE Map for Faro
My Faro map has all the recommendations from this post, including hotels, train stations, and restaurants.
Stylish in Faro
Must-Try Restaurants in Faro Portugal
It is no secret that I travel to eat! So I am always hunting for hidden gems in every city. If you get hungry when exploring the old town of Faro, there are so many restaurants that I would recommend.
Faz Gostos
Faz Gostos does have seasonal openings, so you need to call ahead. Don’t rely on Google, as you could arrive at a closed restaurant.
Serving up a delicious array of traditional Portuguese fare, this is the perfect place to satisfy your appetite and get your taste buds tingling.
L’Osteria
Maybe you are tired of Portuguese food and want to indulge in Italian food. Check out L’Osteria!
Located in the heart of town, this charming restaurant serves up some truly delicious Italian dishes that will leave your taste buds wanting more
Se7e Pedras Wine Bar & Restaurants
I spent my first evening here trying many of the tapas-style dishes. All were delicious, especially the marinated sardine dish.
2 Irmãos
This restaurant was listed on every blog I explored for the best restaurants in Faro, Portugal. I enjoyed trying it and now understand why it is so highly recommended. I was in love with the fish soup. Fresh and delicious, it was one of my favorite meals.
À do Pinto
The traditional razor clam paella and sangria were worth going back for! I really enjoy the ambiance of this charming spot.
Restaurante Alameda
If you are looking for a boutique-style restaurant experience, you will be happy here at Restaurant Alameda.
Rooftop Restaurant in Faro
Restaurante Ria Formosa
Located on the top of the Hotel Faro & Beach Club. The restaurant is open to the public and worth a try. Every meal I got here at the Restaurante Ria Formosa was delightful but a little more expensive than most of the other places on my list.
Accommodations in Faro Portugal
If you are traveling solo without a car and looking to make day trips from Faro by train, stay in the town center. There are so many affordable luxury hotels in the Faro region, however far from the train station. In the past, I have made the mistake of staying in a secluded area of my destination and regretted it.
As a veteran traveler, my first rule in booking accommodations is to stay as central as possible. Preferably as close to the transit stations. This will come in handy when doing any day trip.
Which Boutique Hotels In Faro Are The Best?
A Casa D’Amelie
If you are lucky enough to find this place available, book it! A stylish stay in the center of the Old Town Faro! You won’t find a better decorated and unique place to stay than A Casa D’Amelie.
Lemon Tree Stay
Lemon Tree Stay is loved by guests and highly rated online! Central location to the airport and main train station, and only 6.4 miles to the beach. A top choice for a small boutique-like hotel experience!
Faro Downtown Studios
The perfect location, with free WIFI and a terrace! Faro Downtown Studios has a great eclectic vibe. You will love how convenient, clean and comfortable these studios are!
Terrace Barqueta Studio
Stay in your own private studio in a meticulously maintained studio! Steps from the main train station make day trips from Faro a breeze! Very affordable for the quality and size.
Best Day Trips From Faro
How Far Is Tavira From Faro?
When visiting southern Portugal, I wanted to see as many places as possible in just 5 nights. The perfect day trips are always the ones within an hour of your main destination. Lucky for you, travel to Tavira from Faro is just under one hour via train!
Take the train from Faro main train station to Tavira main train station. The fare is very low, at 3.20 Euros. From the Tavira stop, you will reach the city center within a 10-minute walk. No car needed! Strolling around the entire area took about 3 hours walking slowly and taking photos.
Day Trip From Faro To Tavira | Algarve Portugal
Leaving your destination for just one day should be worth it. When I look for day trip destinations, I always make sure there is something big, like a castle or an idyllic town square. You might wonder what is on in Tavira if I make the day trip.
Things To Do in Tavira
An exciting attraction was the Castelo de Tavira! Castle ruins with an incredible view of the town. It is free to access and a must-see. At the top of the ruins is a Cathedral and a delicious bistro restaurant, A Ver Tavira. I had the pleasure of eating here while gazing out at Tavira. Another highly rated restaurant in the area is Castelo café e restaurante.
One of the most beautiful attractions in Tavira is the riverfront. The town of Tavira is divided by a low-arched pedestrian bridge over the river Gilão. I would take my time walking around all the boutiques and cafes, enjoying the old-town vibes.
If you are someone that loves to visit museums, Tavira has two worth mentioning. Núcleo Museológico Islâmico, has many pieces that represent the Moorish rule. Throughout Southern Portugal, you can find influences from the region’s Islamic heritage.
Also, visit Palácio Galeria for works by Paula Rego, a Portugal native. The museum itself is something to see. Converted from a 16th-century palace, it is the perfect backdrop to house art and culture.
Boutique Hotels in Tavira
If you decide to stay longer than a day trip, here are some top accommodations in Tavira.
Casa Beleza do Sul
Loft 1º de Maio
São Paulo Boutique Hotel
Lagos and Sagres Small Group Tour
Looking for an organized tour of the incredible Algarve region? This 7-hour tour leaves from Faro and takes you to the cliffs of Ponta da Piedade, the fortress at Cape Saint Vincent, the town of Sagres, and the region of Lagos!
More Day Trips From Faro
If you are staying several nights in the Algarve region of southern Portugal, you may have time for another day trip! And it so happens I have just the perfect suggestion.
How Far is Albufeira From Faro?
Albufeira is a highly sought-after destination in southern Portugal. It is known for its beautiful cliffs along the seaside. Magical is the first word that comes to mind thinking back to Albufeira. I can highly recommend making time to visit if you are staying in Faro.
This destination is a little bit more work to get to than Tavira. If you are relying on public transit, you will have two options. By bus or train. If you take the bus, your journey to the old town of Albufeira is around 1 hour and 45 minutes without traffic. Traveling by train is faster, but you don’t get dropped off in the Old Town.
Faro central train station to Albufeira-Ferrerias station will take approximately 1 hour. After arriving at the station, you need to take a taxi to the Old Town Albufeira. The cost of the taxi was around 7 euros and took 15 minutes.
This might sound like a lot of work, but I found it to be worth it! Going home, I decided to take an Uber. It cost around 25 euros, and depending on your budget, you may decide to go by taxi or roundtrip.
Best World Travel Guides
What’s Albufeira Like?
Albufeira is a popular destination among families. I noticed that the British seem to flock to Albufeira for their holidays. But that is not to say you won’t enjoy your time there solo. I spent a full day exploring Albufeira from around 10:30 am to 6:00 pm.
Mostly I just strolled around the beach and took pictures. This visit was in 2020, so as you can imagine, it was very quiet. In November, it wasn’t blazing hot, but warm enough to walk around in just a dress.
Benagil Cave Day Trip Tour From Faro
This 5-6 hour day tour leaves from Faro and sets off to the magical Benagil Cave on the Algarve coast! Enjoy a day of swimming and exploring at the cave and then relaxing at the Marinha beach
Albufeira Town Centre
As far as town centers are concerned, I wasn’t overly impressed withAlbufeira. I much preferred the Old Town of Tavira for its charming shops and cafes. Nothing can compare to the landscape of Albufeira, it is simply magical.
The Albufeira town center has typical touristy bars and restaurants overlooking the ocean. As well as winding streets filled with knick-knack shops selling stuff we don’t need.
I would recommend a day trip from Faro to visit Albufeira, but I am glad I also went to Tavira. Hopefully, you can also make time to visit both destinations!
Best Boutique Hotels in Albufeira
Are you mesmerized by Albufeira? Check out these hotels if you plan to split your time in other cities and not just do day trips from Faro. All of these accommodations are centrally located for travelers without a car.
Seaside View Downtown
Albufeira Beach Apartment
Villa Albufeira OCEAN VIEW
Faro Solo Travel to Seville, Spain
Seville is a great choice if you are staying in Faro and looking to travel to Spain! I am not recommending you visit for just a day, only if you are looking to move on to another destination.
Faro to Seville via train is approximately a three-hour journey. Seville is one of the most exotic places I have visited in Spain. The architecture and food are one of a kind. For some incredible accommodations and a mini-guide for the top sites, check out Best Seville Boutique Hotels.
Faro to Porto, Portugal
If you’re looking for a little more than a day trip, then consider taking the short journey from Faro to Porto. The fastest way to get there will be to rent a car and drive. With its cobblestone streets and welcoming locals, this stunning northern city is full of culture and charm.
Whether you’re exploring the historic centre or sampling some delicious local cuisine at the riverside eateries, there are so many things to do in Porto that will leave you with lasting memories.
And if you’re feeling brave enough, why not take a stroll over the iconic Dom Luis I bridge? With its high-arching structure and breathtaking views of the Douro River below, it’s an experience you won’t forget! So grab your camera and get ready to explore: your journey from Faro to Porto awaits!
Final thoughts on day trips from Faro
Well, that’s a wrap on my exploration of day trips from Faro. Whether you are traveling solo or not, I hope this post has inspired you to take an adventurous day trip from Faro, Portugal!
Just imagine wandering through the narrow alleys of Tavira or soaking up breathtaking views from the top of Cape St. Vincent. There is something for everyone to explore in this beautiful region of Portugal.
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Faro Day Trip FAQs
The distance from Faro to Porto by car is around 5 hours with no traffic. Porto is not the most ideal destination for a day trip. Instead, drive up to Albuferia or Largo. Both of these places are incredible spots in Southern Portugal.
Faro is the southernmost city and is known for its fortified medieval old town, Cidade Velha. It is the second most populous city in the Algarve region. Faro is also home to some of the most important Moorish history.
If you only have one day in Faro Portugal, check out the fortified medieval old town and the Capela dos Ossos de Faro (Bone Church).
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