Faro's beaches and the Ria Formosa, where flamingos can be seen taking to the air, mark the border with the sea. On the flat terrain behind are the houses and buildings of Faro, green vegetable plots thet thrive on the fertile land and water wheels that were once used to draw water from the ground - another reminder of the city's Moorish heritage. In the distance a semi-circle of gentle hills, their slopes clad with fruit trees, frames the landscape. Villages where life goes on at the same easy pace as in centuries past, where unassuming churches conceal art works vestiges of the magnificience of the Romans still litter the fields. These are among the charms of Faro and its municipality, an ideal starting point for exciting voyages of discovery.
The capital of the Algarve region, faro is a lovely city. Enclosed by 5th century walls, and full of Moorish architecture, Faro is worth a stop on your vacation. There are a lot of sightseeing opportunities for any taste. If you like offbeat tourist spots, you should visit the Igreja do Carmo, which has a chapel that has walls decorated with the bones of 1,200 monks. If that isn't quite what you had in mind, you can check out the beaches. To get to the beaches, you have to cross a bridge to get to the spit that also houses the international airport.
Since faro is a university town, there is a very active nightlife, with many clubs and hot spots to visit. If you want a slightly slower paced nightlife, check out the many restaurants that Faro has to offer, especially if you like seafood. If one of the things you look forward to while you are on vacation is hitting the stores, Faro has a great shopping district where you can shop in ultra-modern shops, or you can find the local shops where you can get handmade unique items. There are also local farmers' markets that you visit to get a true taste of Portugal.
Quick Notes And Facts about Faro in the Algarve
1 - Faro: Not Just A Gateway To Algarve
Most travelers who come to Faro think of it as the city where the international airport to Algarve region is located. But the city is much more than that; it has its own historical part and places that will offer the tourists a glimpse of the past of the region. It is also a university town with University of Algarve being in it. The Ria Farmosa lagoon that located next to the town is a stopping place for migratory birds numbering in thousands during autumn and spring. So next time you think of Faro as the place to land in Algarve, think again!
2 - Faro: Starting Point Of Your Algarve Journey
Going for vacation in Algarve? Then the city you are going to see first in the city of Faro. The international airport of the city makes it the starting point for most foreign tourists. The airport is a busy one with flights from major cities around the world landing here in regular interval. The city is also connected to Lisbon with buses and there is a railway station near the city. Many travelers prefer to fly to Lisbon and then catch the train from there as the journey passes through some spectacular sceneries, especially the hills and valleys of lower Alentejo, that are not be missed!
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