1 Day in Faro

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A lot of tourists come to visit the Algarve and spending 1 day in Faro is the perfect amount of time to make the most of its sights.

When we went to Faro, we spent around 4 days there which was a good amount of time for us to relax and sightsee. However, if you’re just wanting to see what Faro has to offer, going on a day trip is one of the best ways to do that.

Ria Formosa Lagoon is something you need to see if you only have 1 day in Faro

Faro is located in the Algarve so if you’ve rented a car then you will easily be able to use Faro as a base to get to attractions. One of the main attractions is taking a trip from Faro to the Benagil Caves.

In this guide, we will advise you on the best places to stay in Faro for 1 night, things to do in 1 day and a 1 day itinerary that you can follow.

Table of Contents

How to get to Faro From Lisbon

If you’re coming to Faro on a day trip then you may want to know how to get to Faro from Lisbon. Lisbon is an incredible city and there are so many things to do in Lisbon but you might want to have a break and head closer to the coast for a while.

You would be able to do just a day trip to Lisbon and return later in the evening but you would be best off staying in Faro for at least one night. There are a few different options for you to get to Faro from Lisbon which we’ve shared below with the different prices too.

Depending on which time of year you’re visiting Portugal will make a difference on the prices because it can be more expensive during peak seasons.

Train: You will be able to get a direct train from Lisbon to Faro which only takes around 3 hours. It will cost you around €23 (£19.65GBP / $25.05USD).

Find Your Train Tickets from Lisbon to Faro Here!

Bus: You can use the Flix buses to get from Lisbon to Faro and it is one of the cheapest options for you to travel between the two as well. It will take you between €5.26 – €10.53 (£4.49GBP / $5.72USD – £8.99GBP / $11.46USD ) depending on the time of day that you choose to go.

It will take you around 3 and a half hours to get from Lisbon to Faro so it’s not much longer than the train and for half the cost.

Book Bus Tickets from Lisbon to Faro Here!

Car: If you’re planning to rent a car so that you can explore a fair bit of Portugal then this is a great scenic drive for you to enjoy.

It will take you around 2 hours and 45 minutes to get from Lisbon to Faro. However, if you’re driving, you may want to stop at some of the sights on the way to Faro.

Flights: The last option for you to get from Lisbon to Faro is by flying but this is not an option we would necessarily recommend. The flights will be a bit more expensive and can really vary depending on the time of year. However, the flight only lasts 45 minutes so it is definitely one of the fastest options.

How to get to Faro From Albufeira

Albufeira is one of the closest places to stay for visiting the Benagil caves so if you’re planning to visit them then we recommend doing this before you leave Albufeira.

In some senses, Albufeira and Faro are similar when it comes to the vibe and the old town but they are both beautiful destinations to visit.

Train: You can get the train from Albufeira to Faro but you will need to book these directly with the rail company Comboios de Portugal. You can do this by either purchasing on their website below or booking them directly at Albufeira Train Station.

It will take you around 45 minutes to get from Albufeira to Faro and will cost around €4 (£3.42GBP / $4.35USD) for your train ticket so it is a really affordable option.

Book Your Train Tickets from Albufeira to Faro Here!

Bus: It takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour to get from Albufeira to Faro on the bus. However, this is actually one of the most expensive options to get to Faro and can cost up to €19.91 (£17GBP / $21.68USD). Due to this, we wouldn’t recommend this option because it is cheaper to get the train and takes around the same length of time.

Car: If you’re renting a car to explore the Algarve then it won’t take you long to drive from Albufeira to Faro at all. It will take you approximately 40 minutes to drive there. There are some beautiful sights along the way so it might take longer if you’re planning to stop off and enjoy the views.

Where to Stay in Faro for 1 Night

There are quite a lot of different places to choose from when it comes to staying in Faro. If you’re only staying for one night then you may want to stay somewhere that is budget-friendly because you’re not spending as much time there.

Alternatively, if this trip to Portugal is a once in a lifetime experience for you then you may want to stay somewhere in Faro in luxury. We’ve included 2 different options of places for you to stay whilst you’re visiting Faro.

One of the options is great for budget travellers and the other option is perfect for couples travelling together in luxury looking for a romantic trip to Faro.

Casa Algarbe

When we visited Faro, we stayed in Casa Algarbe and it was a really great place to stay. It is a guest house with a communal lounge and kitchen so it is a perfect choice for any budget travellers.

The rooms are comfortable and there’s a private terrace for if you want to enjoy some evening drinks or food. There’s also a small rooftop which is a great secluded area to sit and chill.

Casa Algarbe is quite basic accommodation but it is really good value for money and you’ll be close to the centre too.

Check Prices & Availability for Casa Algarbe Here!

AP Eva Senses

When we visited Faro, we spent an afternoon at AP Eva Senses to enjoy some drinks on their rooftop. This hotel had been recommended so many times to us that we knew we had to visit.

Based on our experience at AP Eva Senses, we knew that the next time we visited Faro that this is where we would want to stay.

It is a beautiful hotel with such a relaxing vibe so it is perfect for anyone travelling to Faro that want to stay in a bit more of luxury.

There is a stunning rooftop which offers great views across Faro and the marina and there is a swimming pool available too. Some evenings they have a DJ on the rooftop so you’ll be able to enjoy a few drinks with some of the best views in Faro.

Check Prices & Availability for AP Eva Senses Here!

Things to do in Faro for 1 Day

There are so many amazing things to do in Faro but if you’re just in Faro for a day trip or staying for 1 day and 1 night then you are limited on how many of the sights that you can see.

Below we’ve shared the top 5 things that we recommend doing for 1 day in Faro. Some of these will only last an hour or two so you will be able to tick off a few different activities whereas others like visiting the Benagil Caves are best for a half-day trip.

1. Explore Faro Old Town

When you’re in Faro for 1 day, you need to wander around Faro’s Old Town. It is a beautiful small town with plenty of history for you to explore.

One of our favourite things in Faro was getting lost around the back streets of the old town and just seeing what we could come across.

If history is not really your thing then you will be able to do plenty of shopping within Faro’s Old Town and search for some pretty souvenirs to bring home.

The Old Town really is beautiful and it’s the perfect place to stop and enjoy a few drinks in the Portuguese sun.

2. Try some Portuguese food

When in Portugal, you can’t leave without trying some of the incredible Portuguese cuisine. If you’re visiting Faro for 1 day from Lisbon then you will find that the food is very different.

As Faro is right near the coast, you will find that fresh seafood is very easy to come by and it is absolutely delicious. Another main delicacy in Faro is cataplana so this is something you will need to try.

There are so many incredible restaurants in Faro’s old town that even if you were staying in Faro for a few weeks, you won’t be able to try them all.

In particular, we would recommend that you take a visit to The Old Tavern in Faro which is a great spot to enjoy some tapas and drinks in the sun.

3. Explore the Ria Formosa Lagoon

One of the best reasons for visiting Faro is to explore the Ria Formosa Lagoon. You can take part on a speedboat trip that will show you the sights of the lagoon and you can also watch out for wildlife too.

The Lagoon spreads far and wide so there is a lot of exploring to do. If you’re not going to do a boat trip then you could easily spend all day here.

It is a protected natural area made up of beaches and marshland. The Ria Formosa Lagoon is a really important part of the ecosystem and offers a protected place for migratory birds.

Best Ria Formosa Lagoon Tours

4. Go Dolphin Watching

If you have a spare few hours then you will want to go dolphin watching. Of course, there is no guarantee that you will see dolphins on the trip because they are wild animals but it really is one of the most amazing experiences.

The boat tours last a couple of hours and you’ll be able to enjoy seeing Faro from the water and enjoy the beautiful sun.

It is a really good fun trip to do from Faro and whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple or a family, it is something that everyone can enjoy!

Best Dolphin Watching Tours

5. Take a Trip to Benagil Caves

If you’re coming to Faro from Albufeira then you will want to take your trip to Benagil Caves before you leave Albufeira because it is much closer than Faro.

Equally, if you’re visiting Faro from Lisbon then taking a trip to the Benagil Caves is really only worth it if you’re spending 2 days in Faro or more.

The trip will last 3-4 hours depending on what you choose but this will take away from your time to explore other parts of Faro. You will get to kayak under the caves and the best time to visit the Benagil Caves is to go first thing in the morning so that you can avoid tourists.

This is one of the main tourist spots for people to visit Faro and you will have most likely seen the caves plastered all over Instagram. It is something you definitely need to tick off your bucket list if you have the time to do so.

Best Benagil Caves Tours

1 Day in Faro Itinerary

10:00 Arrive in Faro and head for some brunch at Baixacaffe.

11:00 Dolphin Watching tour

13:00 Enjoy some tapas in the sun at the Old Tavern.

14:00 Boat Tour of Ria Formosa Lagoon.

17:00 Wander around Faro Old Town, do some shopping and enjoy some drinks at AP Eva Senses Rooftop.

19:00 Dinner at Tertulia Algarvia

20:30 Either head back to Lisbon or Albufeira or enjoy some drinks within Faro before heading back to your hotel.

Now You’re Ready for a Day in Faro

Faro truly is a beautiful spot to visit within the Algarve and whilst it can be done in 1 day, you may want to spend a bit more time there if you’re planning to do day trips like the Benagil Caves.

There are some amazing places to stay but if you’re on a budget we would recommend staying at Casa Algarbe. For anyone wanting a bit more luxury AP Eva Senses is a great place to stay with some stunning views of Faro from their rooftop.

You won’t be short of activities to do in Faro either, we would highly recommend making the most of the Portuguese cuisine as much as possible.

No matter whether you’re visiting Faro for a day or end up staying for a bit longer, you will have an amazing time in Faro. There is something about Faro that creeps up on you and warms your heart because it has such an incredible atmosphere.

1 Day in Faro

How to get to Faro From Lisbon

How to get to Faro From Albufeira