Why Faro
Faro is the gateway to the Algarve; so if you want a wonderful holiday in the sun, exploring Portugal’s beautiful golden southern coast, then flights to Faro are exactly what you need. The city itself is worth visiting, but most people who fly to Faro do so because it is the capital of the Algarve, and the perfect jump-off point for a Portuguese sun-holiday.
Whether you’re playing a few rounds on the perfectly manicured fairways of a Vlilamoura golf course, sprawling out on golden sands in Albufeira, or heading east of Faro to visit the lesser explored areas of Portugal’s protected southern coastline, the Algarve has the perfect holiday for you.
When to book cheap flights to Faro
Faro and the Algarve are blessed with beautiful weather, with well over three thousand hours of sunshine warming its golf courses and coastal resorts every year. Faro flights are much cheaper with Ryanair than other airlines, but there are certain times of year the flights to Faro will be cheapest - and of course, in summer when kids are on school holidays and it’s time for the family getaway, they will be a bit pricier!
Golfers in particular might like to try the Algarve’s famous fairways in spring and autumn, when the sun is not quite so punishing, and those four or so hours out on the course are a little easier to complete. Even winters are mild here, with an average maximum temperature of 17 during the day… but of course if you want the scorching sunshine and top temperatures, then you should book flights in June, July and August.
What to see in Faro
Faro city itself is nowhere near as big a draw for visitors as the sun-drenched resort towns of the Algarve coast, but it’s certainly worth visiting if you have the time (particularly as a short stopover if your cheap Faro flights arrive late in the evening). Faro is a delightful, vibrant city with a charming walled Old Town full of wonderful little boutiques, cafés and restaurants for you to explore.
If you fly to Faro, it’s worth making the short journey to Ilha Deserta, just a short boat ride from the Old Town. Ilha Deserta (also known as Ilha da Barreta) is a stunning, tranquil island in the Ria Formosa National Park, and you’ll thoroughly enjoy a day spent on its white sands and in its placid, crystal waters. There are no buildings on the island except one restaurant which cooks using solar power – it’s not the cheapest, so if that doesn’t appeal, bring your own food to eat (and a bag to take all your rubbish with you)!
Most people who fly to Faro are moving on elsewhere in the Algarve, to stay in one of the beautiful beachside resorts that make the south of Portugal one of Europe’s favourite destinations.
Getting Around
Car Hire in Faro airport is your best choice if you want to get around Faro and the Algarve. While there is decent public transport, taxi transfers and shuttle service in the region, car hire gives you the freedom to really explore in your own way, on your own timetable.
If you plan on arriving at your resort and staying put when you get there, you might prefer to pre-book a private transfer. Public transport from the airport is not an efficient way to travel (though if you want to stay in Faro it will work for you), and taxis will be more expensive. A pre-booked transfer to Albufeira will cost around €30.
What to Eat in Faro
Faro, and indeed the whole of Portugal’s Algarve, is well known for its fresh and beautifully cooked seafood. The local recipes are obviously the ones to try - conquilhas à Algarvia, cod ceviche, and cataplana de marisco are all unmissable Algarvian eats.
It’s not all seafood here though; if you see a Portuguese stew called ‘Feijoada’ on any menus, it’s a hearty, tasty dish made with beans, beef and pork, and well worth trying.
There’s a lot to impress foodies in Faro and the Algarve, from budget-friendly cheap eats to superb fine dining – and since you saved on your Faro cheap flights with Ryanair, why not treat yourself?!
Read more about what to see, do and eat in Faro on Try Somewhere New.