We started our trip in Faro, checking into AP Eva Senses AP Eva Senses, Faro. The location is right on the marina, which makes it easy to walk into the Cidade Velha Cidade Velha, Faro within ten minutes. We spent the first afternoon wandering the old town and the shops along Rua de Santo António Rua de Santo António, Faro. It was warm, and the area around the Faro Marina Faro Marina, Faro was quiet enough for a relaxed introduction to the region.
The next day was a mix of history and nature. We took a boat tour through the Ria Formosa Natural Park Ria Formosa Natural Park, Faro to see the barrier islands, then stopped at Estaminé Estaminé, Faro for a local lunch. Later, we visited the Museu Municipal de Faro Museu Municipal de Faro, Faro, which is housed in an old convent. The Capela dos Ossos Capela dos Ossos, Faro at Igreja do Carmo was a quick, necessary stop before we grabbed drinks at Columbus Bar Columbus Bar, Faro and dinner at À do Pinto À do Pinto, Faro.
“The market is the best place to see what people are actually eating rather than what the tourist menus suggest.”
On our final morning, we walked through the Mercado Municipal de Faro Mercado Municipal de Faro, Faro around 11:00 AM. It was busy with locals buying fish and produce, which was a nice contrast to the quieter streets we had seen earlier. We managed a brief visit to the Igreja de São Francisco Igreja de São Francisco, Faro to see the tiles before having lunch at Tasquinha do João Tasquinha do João, Faro. We also made quick stops at Património Património, Faro and O Murta O Murta, Faro for a final taste of the area.
Checking out of AP Eva Senses AP Eva Senses, Faro was simple. We packed up and headed toward Lagos to stay at the Tivoli Lagos Tivoli Lagos, Lagos for the next leg of the trip. The transition was smooth, and Faro proved to be a manageable, walkable place to find our footing before moving further west along the coast.