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Faro

Faro is a city situated along the Algarve coastline, known for its architecture and natural wonders.

Faro city is the center of the southern part of Portugal, the Algarve province. There is a Faro airport and a seaport for all resorts located on the coast. Basically, it's a resort with no more than 70 thousand people who live here permanently. Not all visitors stop in Faro for a long time, as the main destinations for most of them are Algarve coastal resorts, for example, Lagos, Vilamoura, and Albufeira.

However, this city deserves the attention of travelers as it combines typical Portuguese cozy streets with ancient houses and temples, cozy restaurants with delicious cuisine, and beautiful nature in the background. Faro is a perfect spot for an unforgettable holiday and a good starting point for a trip throughout Portugal.

The Old Castle is the main must-visit place in the city. The area is surrounded by an oval-shaped fortress wall with three entrance gates. The 19th-century Castelo de Faro castle is attached to this wall. You should also visit the Cathedral, which also bears the name of the Church of St. Mary, one of the most famous architectural objects, stunning in its beauty.

At the back of the Igreja do Carmo church is a chapel of bones, built by Carmelite monks. The chapel is not just decorated with bones, but the walls themselves are built from bones. Skulls and other bones are placed symmetrically throughout the interior of the chapel, even on the vaulted ceiling, giving the place a frightening atmosphere. At the front of the sanctuary is a full-length skeleton covered in gold.

The modern city of Faro is separated from the old town with the walls of an ancient fortress. A good idea right after visiting it is to go to the pier and enjoy the marina view. 

The next important point to visit is the Conselheiro Bivar. It's the busiest pedestrian street with numerous bars and restaurants, the center of nightlife of Faro. And of course, the streets of the city are separate attractions for tourists. As for the embankment and the Faro sign, here the visitors have access to the beautiful bay with boats and yachts, restaurants, and cafes. It's difficult to find a more ideal place to relax and drink sangria.

If a buzzy night scene is your thing, check out one of the traditional bars with the best cocktails. Quite often such places provide access not only to the delicious drinks but also to the live music and original parties. For shopping, head to the QM Country Shop and Garden Center with a huge range of souvenirs and other goods.

Although Faro cannot be called a popular beach resort due to the presence of a large port, there are still several beaches to choose from, just a bit outside the port area. Ilha de Faro, located on the Ansan Peninsula, is considered to be the most crowded. Ilha de Barreta, located on the island of Barreta, is easily accessible by boat. Just a short ride distance, and you're in a place where you can enjoy the tranquility. On the island of Culatra are located the beaches of Ilha da Culatra and Mayaca. Here you can try traditional fishing, including octopus fishing. 

Ria Formosa Natural Park is a place of particular interest and one of the popular Faro attractions. It has a whole system of islands - connected to the sea through straits and canals. The area of the park is huge, and in order not to get lost you can take a map with a walking route at the entrance.

Faro is not only a place for entertainment, but also a cultural point. It's highly recommended to visit the Maritime Museum of Admiral Ramalho Ortigao and the Municipal Archaeological Museum of the Infante D. Henrique.

As for the available activities, Faro will not disappoint fans of sports activities, night parties, and shopping. Tourists are offered exciting travel programs that include visits to interesting places. The Algarve By Segway Center offers Segway rides. Hidroespaco is a scuba diving center that organizes trips to the best dive sites, where it's possible to take part in master classes and rent the necessary equipment, and a popular diving center in Faro is Udiving.