Faro :

The particularly attractive old part of the city is still surrounded by the Roman walls. Inside there is a spacious open square that once was the site of the Roman Forum is a 13th Century Cathedral that faces the 18th Century episcopal palace. An interesting building is the neighbouring 16th Century Convent that is now turned into the home of the city's archaeological museum.

Much of the city is now composed of apartments and there are many attractive shops and a particularly artistic theatre. Faro is also the home of the Ria Formosa lagoon, a nature reserve of over 17.000 hectares and a stopping place for hundreds of different birds during the spring and autumn migratory periods. The beach is almost 7 kms distant from the city and is a long sandy spit reached by crossing a bridge not far from the International Airport. The municipal council has an active cultural department organising different and various events during the year.

Faro is the capital and administrative centre of the Algarve region of Portugal. An attractive town with many points of interest, it is also the kick-off point for the numerous resorts for which the Algarve is famous. Faro has a few Moorish and Roman ruins dating from around the 13th century, but the majority of its attractive older buildings date from the second half of the 18th century, after an earthquake in 1755 devastated the town. As well as its architectural beauty, Faro offers a wealth of restaurants and cafes, fine beaches, and a beautiful Italianate theatre, hosting a full programme of drama, music and dance. And the area is paradise for golfers with around 19 courses on the coastal stretch between Faro and Albufeira.

Entering through the Renaissance Arco da Vila, which cuts through the ramparts of the old city into the spacious open square, visit the town's 13th-century cathedral. Note the jumble of architectural styles, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque, the fine azulejos and gilded woodwork and the red chinoiserie organ to one side of the nave.

Take a look at the 18th-century former Episcopal and the 16th-century convent that now houses the city's archaeological museum. Don't miss the best examples of gold-leaf woodwork in southern Portugal, in the golden church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo whose chapel houses the macabre collection of bones of over 1,200 monks!