Algarve Road Trip Day 1 – Faro
The cultural hub of the Algarve is the city of Faro. When you arrive, pick up the keys for your car rental Faro and head off down to the city. It’s a quick journey and you should arrive in the city center within 20 minutes. While many people overlook the city in favor of heading straight to the beaches, Faro has a wealth of cultural and historic attractions, excellent eateries, and some fine accommodation. After you’ve checked in, pass the Arco da Vila and wander up the cobbled old town to admire the 13th century Faro Cathedral. Be sure to visit the Municipal Museum housed within a 16th century convent and grab a custard pastel de nata.
There’s simply too many restaurants and bars to list them all here, but you can’t go wrong with a visit to Faz Gostos. Located in the old town, this luxurious restaurant has had to continuously move to larger premises to satisfy demand. Here, you can sample typical Southern Portuguese fare including freshly caught seafood and game. If you’re in town on a Sunday, the Aqui d’el Rei is attached to the 17th century Arco de Repouso and fills the streets with the sounds of melancholic fado music. Grab a table fast and tuck into the mouthwatering moamba de galinha stew washed down with a glass of red.
Faro isn’t short on hotel offerings. With everything from boutiques housed in centuries old buildings to modern hotels including all the amenities you would expect, Faro will surely have something for you. Just be sure to check that it has a car park, so you have a place to leave your car rental Faro. The Hotel Faro & Beach Club may not be old, but with spacious rooms overlooking the sea and just a 3-minute walk from the old town, it’s a great choice.