Lagoon islands & Algarve beaches
Faro
Faro · Gateway to the golden Algarve
The relaxed capital of the Algarve pairs a walled old town with the Ria Formosa lagoon, a maze of sandbars, salt marsh and barrier-island beaches. It is the laid-back gateway to Portugal’s sun-soaked south coast.
Top sightsSights
Ria Formosa
A protected lagoon of islands, birds and boat trips.
Cidade Velha
A walled old town of cobbled lanes and a cathedral.
Bone Chapel
A chapel walled with the bones of monks.
Praia de Faro
A long barrier-island beach reached by causeway.
Ilha Deserta
An uninhabited sandbar island for pristine beach days.
What to eatFood
Cataplana
Seafood stewed in a clam-shaped copper pot.
Grilled sardines
Charred fresh sardines, an Algarve summer staple.
Dom Rodrigo
A sweet of egg threads and almond from the Algarve.
Good to know
- Faro is the Algarve’s transport hub for beach towns west and east.
- Take a lagoon boat tour to the barrier islands.
- Tavira and Lagos are easy train trips along the coast.
Getting there
Faro Airport is the Algarve’s gateway; trains and buses connect to Lisbon and coastal towns.
Next city
Coimbra