Hey,
If you’re heading into Faro, we would highly recommend a night or two in Faro Old Town, either at the start or end of your holiday. If not this trip, it’s definitely worth considering for another if you haven’t already done so.
The Old Town area is incredibly quaint, with oodles of high-quality restaurants and plenty to do during the day too. This includes visiting the islands of Culatra (best for a day visit) or Ilha Deserta (which is slower-paced and, as the name suggests, largely deserted), via one of the many boats operating from the public jetty.
We usually use a company called Anamaris to get to and from the islands. Tickets can be bought at the jetty or in advance via their website, which I’d recommend during high season.
From the jetty there is also a public ferry to Faro Beach. If you turn left after disembarking, there’s a gorgeous boardwalk at the end of the road which takes you to vast empty beaches, far enough away that most tourists don’t bother venturing that far.
Below is a list of restaurants we’ve used and would recommend…
Old Town area:
- Columbus – Amazing traditional food and a great atmosphere in the evening.
- By Opus – Another excellent traditional restaurant in the Old Town. Newly opened in 2025 with an amazing wine selection.
- Cantinho – Gorgeous little restaurant beside one of the old gate entrances. Great local seafood dishes.
- Old Tavern – Quaint, local food, good value, and always busy.
Just outside the Old Town:
- Sabores do Churrasco Premium – South American-style restaurant, mainly meat-focused, with lovely steaks.
- Chalet Restaurante – Chinese and Japanese buffet with fixed pricing. High quality at a budget price and incredible value.
Elsewhere:
- Aqua Chill – Seafood Bar & Restaurant, On the island of Culatra. Basic, but fantastic-quality fish and local food.
- Wax Restobar – Great for a sunset meal and a glass of wine. A little busy and touristy, but that’s largely due to the superb location. It’s a short walk back to the ferry for the Old Town, or you can grab an Uber from the main bridge at a reasonable price.
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