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One of the warmest winter destinations in Europe is the beautiful Algarve, but somehow the capital that anchors Portugal’s slice of paradise is often overlooked in favor of the surrounding seaside resorts.
Americans can actually fly here non-stop, but instead of taking off straight on landing in Albufeira, Lagos, or where I recently stayed in the lesser-known gem of Quarteira, a bustling old town with cheap food and good wine and countless golden beaches.
Located within the Algarve region Faroa town and district of the same name, but we will focus on the town itself as a perfect winter getaway in one of Portugal’s most underrated getaways.
A timeless cityscape
One reason travelers love to fly to Europe is to immerse themselves in a glimpse of the past.
Some capitals, like London, are a mix of historic wonders and sky-high apartments, but places like Faro skipped the ladder and embraced their roots with well-preserved cathedrals and picturesque cobbled streets.
There are no skyscrapers here that take away from the authenticity of the city. What you will find are very friendly locals, affordable yet luxurious hotels on the coast and a bustling old town that you should definitely visit.
When I visited in the fall, we would make laps around the city and always end up back in Old Town, sipping $2 wine and store hopping.
Frankly, “Old Town” can sometimes be a buzzword for seasoned travelers who think it might be too touristy and uncluttered.
That is not the case here…
Faro’s Old Town felt more Havana-like, with cracked facades and much-needed paint that somehow exudes character and charm through a maze of architectural heritage.
Streets fill up in the heartbeat of the city, but it wasn’t as overwhelming as the neighboring tourist town of Albufeira, with non-stop harassing vendors and elbow-to-elbow packed streets.
The Old Town is definitely the best choice to get a feel for the city and also makes a great base with cozy boutique hotels and nearby luxury seaside stays such as Hotel Faro.
Faro’s pristine golden beaches
The city of Faro offers both historical admiration and sunny beach days.
There’s no better time to visit than winter, as much of the world is cooped up in front of a fireplace, between the headaches of de-icing windshields and shoveling driveways.
For example, this week there will be sunny days in the 60s, but you’ll still want to pack a jacket if it dips into the 40s after sunset.
Whether it’s Faro’s mild winters or the heat of summer, the city’s golden beaches are great to visit all year round.
Undoubtedly, Praia da Ilha de Faro (also known as Faro Beach) is the most popular and easiest to reach, but Faro also has beautiful beaches offshore, set among a series of scenic barrier islands within a vast lagoon network, hidden in plain sight.
Beyond lies the historic cityscape Ria Formosa Natural Park. Here you will discover some of Faro’s best beaches such as Ilha da Culatra, accessible by ferry, and Praia do Farol.
These beaches are a refreshing, tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of the city as there are no resorts here, leaving these postcard-worthy shores seemingly untouched.
However, if you want to stay by the beach, your best bet is to search platforms like HomeAway and Airbnb for rentals.
There is no such thing as a bad meal in Faro
The best way to visit Faro is to arrive hungry, and you’re guaranteed to leave happy.
As in Spain, many Portuguese bars and eateries serve an endless supply of tapas and cheap, velvety wine.
I get it; not everyone digs seafood. One unique place that I had never seen before wasn’t actually a restaurant at all, but a shop with floor-to-ceiling cans of various aquatic proteins ranging from octopus, lobster and sardines to my surprising favorite, very simple cod. in olive oil.
For seafood lovers, you must check it out The fantastic world of the Portuguese sardine.
If seafood isn’t your thing, that’s okay. You have plenty of other options to satisfy your taste buds, such as Frango Piri-Piri (chicken) and the aforementioned tapas, where you should definitely order chorizo.
My favorite restaurant in the whole Algarve was a no-nonsense, classic Mom & Pop shop, Mercearia Sao Pedrothe kind of place Anthony Bourdain would have discovered and fiercely protected from the prying eyes of foodie tourism.
Every bite was sensational, from the small plates of chorizo, mussels, buttery melt-in-your-mouth lobster and an endless supply of olives to snack on between courses – a real 10/10 hole-in-the-wall off the tourist trail and one of my favorite meals in recent memory.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
