We started our trip in Faro, checking into the Hotel Faro & Beach Club Hotel Faro & Beach Club, Faro. It’s well-positioned for walking, and the rooftop pool is a good way to beat the mid-July heat. The first few days were mostly about getting our bearings and navigating the local transport.
On our second day, we headed to the Faro Marina Faro Marina, Faro for a boat trip through the Ria Formosa Natural Park. We spent most of the afternoon on Ilha do Farol Ilha do Farol, Faro, where the beach is quiet and the lighthouse is easy to spot. For dinner, we tried Estaminé Restaurant Estaminé Restaurant, Faro and later grabbed drinks at O Castelo Bar O Castelo Bar, Faro and À-do-João À-do-João, Faro.
“The ferry ride to the barrier islands is simple and inexpensive, making it a better value than most of the private tours.”
The following day, we visited the Museu Municipal de Faro Museu Municipal de Faro, Faro to see the exhibits inside the old convent. We also walked over to the Capela dos Ossos Capela dos Ossos, Faro at Igreja do Carmo. It’s a bit eerie, but it’s a short walk from the center. We finished the afternoon at the Mercado Municipal de Faro Mercado Municipal de Faro, Faro, which is great for picking up local cheese and pastries.
We spent our final morning in Faro at Praia de Faro Praia de Faro, Faro before checking out. After a quick stop at Chelsea Coffee & Brunch Chelsea Coffee & Brunch, Faro and lunch at Restaurante Centenario Restaurante Centenario, Faro, we moved on to Lagos. We checked into the Hotel Marina Rio Hotel Marina Rio, Lagos to finish out the week.
In Lagos, we spent most of our time around the Lagos Marina Lagos Marina, Lagos. We took a boat tour to see the sea caves at Ponta da Piedade Ponta da Piedade, Lagos, which is much more impressive from the water than from the cliffs above. We ended our evenings walking the Lagos Promenade Lagos Promenade, Lagos and stopping by Eddie's Bar Eddie's Bar, Lagos before heading home.