We landed at Faro Airport Faro Airport, Faro on July 7th and were in the city center within fifteen minutes. After checking into the Hotel Faro & Beach Club Hotel Faro & Beach Club, Faro, we walked through the Arco da Vila Arco da Vila, Faro. This neoclassical arch serves as the main entrance to the Cidade Velha Cidade Velha, Faro, and it is a straightforward way to orient yourself in the historic district.
For our first dinner, we went to Restaurante Chefe Branco Restaurante Chefe Branco, Faro. The food was traditional and the service was efficient. It was a good introduction to the local pace, which is much slower than what we are used to at home.
The next morning, we visited the Igreja do Carmo Igreja do Carmo, Faro before checking out of our hotel. The following days were spent exploring the surroundings, starting with a boat trip to Ilha da Culatra Ilha da Culatra, Faro on July 9th. The island has a very quiet, residential feel compared to the mainland.
We made sure to eat at Tertulia Algarvia Tertulia Algarvia, Faro on the 10th. The atmosphere was casual and it was easy to get a table without a long wait. On the 11th, we spent the morning at the Faro Municipal Market Faro Municipal Market, Faro, which is worth visiting early to see the fresh fish and produce displays.
The latter half of the week focused on the water, including a walk through the Ria Formosa Natural Park Ria Formosa Natural Park, Faro on the 12th. We finished our time in the area with a meal at Restaurante Ria Formosa Restaurante Ria Formosa, Faro on the 13th and a quick stop at the Palacete Belmarço Palacete Belmarço, Faro before heading out on the 14th.