Rui & Magda’s guidebook
Our favourite restaurants
Some few of the many great restaurantes (and other places where you can eat) in Faro
($) - Very affordable petiscos (tapas-like) with excellent quality in this otherwise a locals’ grocery. Run by an ultra friendly and communicative couple that does everything, from managing the grocery stock including daily bread, eggs and fresh veggies, cook (kudos for Bela the cook!), serve and coordinate the tables at this always full place. A must in Faro! :)
Mercearia São Pedro
17 R. Serpa Pinto($) - Very affordable petiscos (tapas-like) with excellent quality in this otherwise a locals’ grocery. Run by an ultra friendly and communicative couple that does everything, from managing the grocery stock including daily bread, eggs and fresh veggies, cook (kudos for Bela the cook!), serve and coordinate the tables at this always full place. A must in Faro! :)
($$$) - Best cataplanas in Faro (and probably farther), prepared and served by the most humble, nice, and friendly staff! The rest of the menu is also amazingly well done. Be aware that the doses are HUGE and they are suppose to serve two (I would add... and a half, at least)
À do Pinto
26 Tv. Rebelo da Silva($$$) - Best cataplanas in Faro (and probably farther), prepared and served by the most humble, nice, and friendly staff! The rest of the menu is also amazingly well done. Be aware that the doses are HUGE and they are suppose to serve two (I would add... and a half, at least)
Vila Adentro
17 Praça Dom Afonso III$$$
Monte dos Bentos
16 R. Aboim Ascensao$$
($) - Very cheap. This is not a restaurant but a Take-Away. The best, the cheapest, the most hard core portuguese style you can get!
Churrasqueira Frango Fino
35 R. Gen. Teofilo da Trindade($) - Very cheap. This is not a restaurant but a Take-Away. The best, the cheapest, the most hard core portuguese style you can get!
($$) - Grilled fish! You choose, they grill, served with plain boiled vegetables as is common in Portuguese cuisine. Just add olive oil and vinegar, and enjoy the freshness and true flavour of the fish :)
Velha Casa
33 R. do Pe da Cruz($$) - Grilled fish! You choose, they grill, served with plain boiled vegetables as is common in Portuguese cuisine. Just add olive oil and vinegar, and enjoy the freshness and true flavour of the fish :)
($$) - All-you-can-eat of grilled fish, directly from Ria Formosa. You pay a meal, choose your drink and side dishes (potato or salad), and the waiters keep coming with trays of varied grilled fishes from where you choose what you want!
17 locals recommend
Restaurante O Tintol
($$) - All-you-can-eat of grilled fish, directly from Ria Formosa. You pay a meal, choose your drink and side dishes (potato or salad), and the waiters keep coming with trays of varied grilled fishes from where you choose what you want!
To see in Faro
The old part of Faro is very picturesque, there's the cathedral and old waterside gateway (Arco da Vila) and some historic churches, there's also a Teatro das Figuras - a venue place offering, concerts, theater and dance performances in the evenings, usually on quite high level.
As for the beaches - wonderful, nearly empty beaches are accessible from Faro by boats ( it takes around 30 minutes) for example Deserta, Farol. They are all located on islands in front of the city in a lagoon called Ria Formosa. Birdwatching, kayaking, paddling and tours are popular and very nice.
Farol Island
119 R. das FloresBarreta Island
Most accessible and popular beach. You can get there by boat, car or bus nr 14 and 16, and Uber :)
This beach is best for sunsets, people say. :D
118 locals recommend
Faro Beach
1 Av. NascenteMost accessible and popular beach. You can get there by boat, car or bus nr 14 and 16, and Uber :)
This beach is best for sunsets, people say. :D
Arco da Vila
8 R. da MisericórdiaTeatro das Figuras
Rua João Brito VargasRia Formosa
To see nearby from Faro (by car, Uber)
Small village up North of Faro, it's old small palace was converted in a beautiful and original hotel. You can get drinks or coffee in their bar, and walk through it's baroque gardens.
27 locals recommend
Estoi
Small village up North of Faro, it's old small palace was converted in a beautiful and original hotel. You can get drinks or coffee in their bar, and walk through it's baroque gardens.
Roman Ruins of Milreu
Beautiful town close to Faro. It's Island and beach (Ilha de Tavira) are considered by many one of the best beach spot in Algarve
309 locals recommend
Tavira
Beautiful town close to Faro. It's Island and beach (Ilha de Tavira) are considered by many one of the best beach spot in Algarve
Great mountain zone, with typical villages and old farmers markets, and regional restaurants. Can be very hot in summer!
8 locals recommend
Serra do Caldeirão
Great mountain zone, with typical villages and old farmers markets, and regional restaurants. Can be very hot in summer!
River beach and waterfalls, can be very busy with locals in the weekend.
76 locals recommend
Pego do Inferno
River beach and waterfalls, can be very busy with locals in the weekend.