Portugal can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travellers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport but must carry a valid ID during their stay.

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Passport/Visa

Faro’s international airport is located six kilometers to the west of the city, right by the sea. Buses 14 and 16 depart regularly to the centre of Faro, and the trip takes approximately 20 minutes. You can buy the ticket directly from the driver, but remember that it is good to have some small change or the exact amount of money. A taxi ride takes just under fifteen minutes.

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Faro International Airport (FAO)

The Algarve region is famous for having the best weather in Portugal, with long summers and short, mild winters. Beach season goes from spring to autumn and attracts the biggest crowds; visiting in winter often means that you will find more affordable accommodations and a quieter atmosphere.

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Best Time to Visit

Faro’s train station connects the city with the rest of the region and the country. There is also a well-developed bus network, EVA, convenient for small trips within the region. In the city centre, it is best to walk, but if you would rather take the local bus, the courier name is Proximo.

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Public Transport

For longer trips, it is better to negotiate the price in advance as the driver has the right to various surcharges for returning empty if the taxi meter is used. Tips are not obligatory but appreciated, even if small. The cars are either beige, green or black, and the best way to find one is to go to one of the taxi ranks or pre-book. One of the main taxi companies in town is Faro Taxi.

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Taxi

To find a post office in Faro, look for the red sign that says CTT. Letter boxes are red as well. Faro’s main post office is located in Largo do Carmo.

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Post Office

Generally, pharmacies in Portugal are open on weekdays from 9 am to 7 pm; some pharmacies close for lunch. On Saturdays, pharmacies close around 1pm. Each district will have a 24 hour pharmacy (farmácia, with a green cross) according to a schedule posted in the windows of all closed pharmacies.

Penha pharmacy is the best reviewed pharmacy in town, though it's not the most central one. It's also always open.

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Pharmacy

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Telephone

20 V/50Hz with with a Type F electrical plug with two round pins, same as in many countries in Continental Europe.

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Electricity

Faro, the capital of the Algarve region, is located on Europe’s most scenic coast, offering beautiful, long sandy beaches. Faro is a charming old town with cobbled streets and leafy parks, the perfect starting point for day-trips to all the marvellous major destinations of this wonderful region.

The Faro Municipal Museum is home to the region's diverse archaeological finds. Located in a former monastery, its gardens date back to 1540, with two-storey cloisters in the heart of the museum. Among the most remarkable items is a Roman floor mosaic from the 4th-century detailed with the head of the Roman god Neptune.

Faro Archaeological Museum in Faro, Algarve region of Portugal

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Municipal Museum of Faro

Rebuilt throughout the ages, the Faro Cathedral, also known as the Santa Maria Cathedral, is now a mixture of Renaissance and Baroque religious buildings. Its interior is equally rich, featuring a large organ from the 18th-century with Chinoiserie details.

The Cathedral of Faro (Se de Faro) is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Faro, Portugal

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Faro Cathedral

The full name of this church is a mouthful — the Church of the Third Order of Our Lady of Monte do Carmo. It is the most popular of Faro's churches, not so much for its fantastically elaborate, gold-leaf laden, Baroque interior, but for its bone chapel, entirely decorated with monks' skeletons.

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the Igreja do Carmo in the old town of Faro at the east Algarve in the south of Portugal in Europe.

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Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

The Ria Formosa wetlands area was declared a protected natural area in 1987, and is a protected breeding place for wetland birds, threatened by the expansion of tourism. This way, the entire coast from Faro to Cacela Velha was able to avoid any urbanisation. A boat trip to one of Faro’s islands is perhaps the best way to visit Ria Formosa.

Kingfisher bird at sunrise in Ria Formosa Natural Park

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A colour-ringed Spoonbill, Ludo Farm, Ria Formosa Nature Park, Algarve, Portugal. This Spoonbill was ringed as nestling in France on 18/5/2013 and was photographed 3/5/2014.

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Ria Formosa Natural Park

The Palácio de Estói, situated in the town of Estói (just north of Faro) is a Rococo style private palace built in the second half of the 19th-century. This miniature version of the King’s palace in Queluz, on the outskirts of Lisbon, is surrounded by relaxing public gardens. In Milreu, just outside the palace, you will come across the Algarve Roman remains.

Palace of Estoi (garden), a work of Romantic architecture unique in the Algarve region. Portugal (The building and garden was started in the nineteenth century, and inauguration was in 1909)

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Palace of Estoi & Roman Ruins of Milreu

At Deserta Island, also known as Ilha da Barretta, you have the rare opportunity to spend a day on an uninhabited island! Enjoy peaceful white-sand beaches with crystal blue water. Arrive either by boat or water taxi and do not forget to bring water. As there is only one restaurant on the island, it is also a good idea to bring a snack.

Algarve, Faro - Ilha Deserta beach, southern most part of continental Portugal, in the beautiful Ria Formosa natural reserve. Shinning sands, not many people, warm turquoise Atlantic waters at sunset.

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Ilha Deserta (Barreta Island)

The Estádio Algarve was built for the 2004 European football championship, but that does not make it a football fanatics-only attraction. Here you can see different sporting events year-round, so make sure to check if there is anything of interest during your visit.

View from sky of Algarve stadium. Portugal. Aerial

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Algarve Stadium

Cruise the Ria Formosa waterways in the lovely and tranquil blue boats available to rent. It is a great way to see the area and to indulge in a bit of birdwatching. You also have the option of stopping at one of the beautiful beaches for a picnic, or just some sunbathing.

Boat view of Ria Formosa, natural conservation region in Algarve, Portugal.

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Boat Trips in the Algarve

There are several companies offering day tours, as well as sailing lessons for adventurers wishing to master a new skill.

Couple enjoying sunset from the deck of the sailing boat moving in a sea

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Sailing

For many, kayaking is one of the highlights of their trip to Faro. Admire the flocks of beautiful flamingos and the stunning views over the Atlantic Ocean as you tread gentle waves. There are numerous places where you can rent kayaks along the coast.

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Kayaking

Push your limits at Parque Aventura, an adventure park located a ten-minute walk away from Oura Beach. Jump from tree to tree with zip lines and rope bridges that vary in height and difficulty.

adventure climbing high wire park - people on course in mountain helmet and safety equipment

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Parque Aventura

About a one-hour drive from Faro lies Ponta da Piedade, with its unique rock formations and grottos, Ponta de Piedade sparkles with crystal clear waters. A favoured spot to watch the sun set, many companies offer boat tours for those wishing to see it from the water.

Ponta da Piedade - two boats with tourists between famous rocks in the ocean. Number one attraction in Lagos, Algrave, Portugal

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Ponta da Piedade

Spectacular backdrops make for a memorable round of golf in the Algarve. Boasting an impressive number of golf courses — almost 40 — there is something for players of every skill level and taste.

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Golf

Lagos Zoo is an extensive interactive zoo with animal species from all around the globe. It also features a recreation of the South African Boulders beach, with its own penguin population.

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Lagos Zoo

Stroll among the luxurious yachts in the Vilamoura Marina and enjoy the sea breeze before having a meal or a drink at one of the many cafés, pubs, or restaurants. The town of Vilamoura lies 30 minutes away from Faro, and is just perfect for a luxurious one-day escape.

Motor boats in Vilamoura resort, Portugal

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Vilamoura Marina

Part of the natural park of Ria Formosa, Ludo offers various trails between 5 and 15km. Ideal for walking, running or cycling, these trails take in unique views of the lagoons, marshlands, and palm trees. As well as this, wild birds are abundant — including flamingos!

Flamingos on Ria Formosa along the Ludo hiking trail

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Ludo Hiking Trail

Comfortable and welcoming house in Espinhaço de Cão

Sunny flat in Armação de Pêra 200mt from the beach

Very nice 2-bedroom apartment close to the Vilamoura beach

Pets are allowed upon request. Please note that should you bring a pet, there's an added cost of 100Eur to the deposit, with optional cleaning service available

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Palace of Estoi & Roman Ruins of Milreu

Ilha Deserta (Barreta Island)

Boat Trips in the Algarve

Cruise the Ria Formosa waterways in the lovely and tranquil blue boats available to rent. It is a great way to see the area and to indulge in a bit of birdwatching. You also have the option of stopping at one of the beautiful beaches for a picnic, or just some sunbathing.

Ria Formosa Natural Park

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