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Faro

This coastal town in the central Algarve serves as the region’s main city. Its international airport services most flights, and trains run daily from the Portuguese capital of Lisbon. The marina and harbor are home to many waterfront cafés, and the Praia de Faro beachfront is nearby.

The Old City overlooks the harbor, which contains many of the city’s historic buildings. The impressive Arco da Vila was the city’s 18th century gateway, and is still the entrance to the Old City. The Faro Cathedral stands next to a row of palaces and orange trees, and incorporates a mixture of architectural styles, including Baroque, Gothic, and Renaissance. Climb up the cathedral’s tower for a view of Faro and the coast. Also notable is St. Francis Fountain.

The Igreja do Carmo Church (Chapel of Bones) is decorated with actual human bones – remains of former monks – that were collected from the adjacent cemetery