Add dates

Things to do in Faro

The Algarve’s capital charms explorers with its walled old town, eclectic architecture, and nature reserve.

Our most recommended things to do in Faro

Faro: Ria Formosa Faro Islands Catamaran Tour

1. Faro: Ria Formosa Faro Islands Catamaran Tour

Sail to the beautiful Ria Formosa Natural Park by catamaran, with regular departures scheduled from Faro. The journey follows the Ria Formosa channels and includes stops at the magical islands of Farol and Deserta. See the imposing Santa Maria Lighthouse in Farol and enjoy time to explore and try island cuisine. In Deserta, admire the rolling dunes and unique landscapes. Look out for unique flora and fauna, including the chameleon. Enjoy plenty of swimming opportunities on both islands, with secluded beaches and pristine shores. On board, learn about the islands and the park with insightful commentary from your guide in various languages.

From Faro: 4 Stops, 3 Islands in Ria Formosa Catamaran Tour

2. From Faro: 4 Stops, 3 Islands in Ria Formosa Catamaran Tour

Enjoy a catamaran tour in the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Discover its 3 islands with 4 stops included. Swim and snorkel in crystal clear waters, explore a traditional fishing village and see how oysters are farmed. Start your tour by crossing the channels of the Ria Formosa to observe the seabirds feeding on the edges of the marshes. Enjoy your first stop for 45 minutes at Ilha Deserta and swim and snorkel in the crystalline waters. Then, head to the next stop, Ilha do Farol for another 45 minutes to discover the lighthouse and take pictures of the typical Algarve houses around it. Sail towards Ilha da Culatra for the third stop, a fishing community, for 2 hours of free time. Enjoy the option to have lunch at a traditional restaurant on the island where the main course varies between fresh fish and seafood. Finally, make your last stop where you can observe oyster farming in the Hangars. Admire the tide changes at the Ria Formosa.

From Faro: Benagil Cave and Marinha Beach Guided Day Trip

3. From Faro: Benagil Cave and Marinha Beach Guided Day Trip

After gathering at the tour meeting point, your van will depart from Faro for the approximately hour-long journey after which you will arrive to Benagil Beach. It will be from this location, together with your instructor, that you will enter the cave. It will take between 5 and 10 minutes to enter the cave, after which you will have 40 minutes inside to enjoy its unique environment. You can choose to spend your time taking photos, swimming, and just generally relaxing. It will soon be time to head to Marinha Beach, which is considered the most beautiful beach in Portugal. At this location you will have an hour to discover the amazing cliffs and views, following which you will head back to Faro.

Loulé: Quinta da Tôr Winery Guided Tour & Wine Tasting

4. Loulé: Quinta da Tôr Winery Guided Tour & Wine Tasting

Visit Quinta da Tôr, a local family-owned winery in Algarve, and learn more about wine making as well as what makes it so special in the Algarve region. Taste 4 different wines from the winery with traditional bread and olive oil from the region. Algarve is known for its amazing beaches, golf courses and famous caves, but for some years now the wineries have become one of the highlights of the region, gaining recognition both nationally and internationally. During your tour of the winery you will not only see the facilities of the winery, but also learn more about the unique climate here: the low temperatures in the winter and high temperatures in the Summer, which allows Algarve to have a good and balanced maturation of the 7 grapes that its land has to offer (Touriga Nacional, Sirah, Carbernet Sauvignon, Aragonez, Siria, Arinto, Chardonnay). After your tour, indulge in a wine tasting with 4 different wines selected around your choice of wine class and type. Select from the groupings: Classic Wines, Oaky Wines, Brave Wines, Premium Wines and Golden Algibre Wines. Taste the regional bread and olive-oil with your wine.

Olhão: 4-Hour Ria Formosa Islands Tour

5. Olhão: 4-Hour Ria Formosa Islands Tour

Navigate the waterways between the barrier islands of Ria Formosa off the coast of Olhão and discover a paradise of nature. Enjoy great views of the Farol Bar and Santa Maria Lighthouse on Farol Island. Stop for lunch in the fishing village of Culatra, home to about 1,000 residents with shops, a school, church, medical office, and even its own football pitch. Savor the local fresh fish at a typical restaurant or go for a nice picnic on the beach. Continue to Armona Bay and island, where you will stop for another 30 minutes to appreciate the nature. Return to Olhão, passing close to several tuna factories and the fishing harbor. See a larger area of Ria Formosa than most other tours, and benefit from the expert knowledge of your skipper to learn about the flora and fauna.

Algarve Coast: Dolphin Watching & Cave Tour

6. Algarve Coast: Dolphin Watching & Cave Tour

Explore the Algarve coast which is legendary for pirate adventures and pristine beaches. Cruise along the coast between Albufeira Marina and Carvoeiro beach on a luxury boat that offers you the chance to swim, relax, and maybe even see a dolphin or two. Begin with a relaxing ride through the caves and rock formations that make this landscape so unique. Stop for swim in a stunning location with stunning views. Head out to sea in your search for the playful dolphins who call these waters home. Enjoy sailing along in comfortable vessel that is ideal looking for dolphins. Learn facinating facts about these majestic animals from your guide. Return to the meeting point at the end of your tour.

Faro: Hop On Hop Off City Tour by Tourist Train

7. Faro: Hop On Hop Off City Tour by Tourist Train

Relax and enjoy a Faro tour on a special tourist train. During this tour, you will visit beautiful and important monuments of the city, including Old City, the Jardim Manuel Bivar, Igreja da Misericórdia, Sé de Faro, Teatro Lethes, Igreja do Carmo, Igreja São Pedro, Zona Comercial da Baixa de Faro, pass by the lagoon Ria Formosa and the new town. Via a multilingual audio system, learn curious facts and secrets as you pass by each location. Your ticket is valid for a full day, so you can stop at any of our stops, explore the surroundings and hop back in to the next stop. The stops are: Praça D. Francisco Gomes (where our tour starts), Jardim da Alameda, Ermida de Santo António, Mercado da Cidade e Igreja do Carmo.

Faro: Dolphin and Wildlife Watching in the Atlantic Ocean

8. Faro: Dolphin and Wildlife Watching in the Atlantic Ocean

Discover different species of cetaceans, birds and other marine life on this exciting experience in the Algarve. Leaving from Faro, cross through Ria Formosa Natural Park towards the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy the views of the Barrier Islands (Deserta and Culatra) or the marshlands as you cruise to the coastline. Once you reach the ocean, spot wildlife such as dolphins, whales, and porpoises. Whale season is between February and May, while dolphins are resident all year round. You will also see birds such as gannets and shearwaters flying overhead. When it comes to fish, spot species such as ocean sunfish, blue sharks, and hammerhead sharks, as well as a few marine turtles. A team of two marine biologists will help you find as many species as possible during your time on the ocean, and give you facts and information about the fauna and the surroundings.  After spotting a group of dolphins, enjoy 30 minutes free to watch the group. Feel free to ask any questions regarding dolphins and other marine life to one of your guides and take the opportunity to learn more about how biologists collect data for scientific research on dolphin populations. Once your observation time is over, return to Ria Formosa and cruise back to Faro.

From Faro: Ria Formosa Sunset Boat Trip

9. From Faro: Ria Formosa Sunset Boat Trip

Come and relax in the Ria Formosa lagoon on a boat trip at the best time of day: sunset. Soak up the stunning natural surrounds aboard a solar powered boat as you cruise through this beautiful natural park. Sit back and relax as you depart from the Faro Marina on board an eco-friendly boat. The solar powered boat is beautifully quiet, and this trip includes a variety of views. Your experienced skipper will guide you through the lagoon, its beautiful channels and marshlands, and approach numerous species of birds that inhabit this protected area without any disturbance.  This small group trip is limited to 10 people, offering an intimate experience and a wonderfully relaxing end to the day watching the sun go down over the lagoon. Soak up the stunning natural surroundings and the beautiful views over the Faro’s Old Town as you experience a beautiful sunset and cruise back to the Marina of Faro.

Loulé: TechSalt’s Rock-Salt Mine Tour

10. Loulé: TechSalt’s Rock-Salt Mine Tour

Enjoy a guided visit to the TechSalt salt mine and learn about geology, the history of the mine, and the rock salt mining economy of the area. Descend to a depth of 230 meters under the city of Loulé as you are escorted along an underground route. Discover more about the evolution of rock salt mining processes as well as the economic importance of the mine in the region. Admire the vast chambers of ancient rock formations, some of which date back over 230 million years.

Available activities

114 activities found
Sort by:
Page 1 of 8

Frequently asked questions about Faro

What are the best indoor activities in Faro for rainy days?

What are the most popular museums and exhibitions in Faro?

Other Sightseeing Options in Faro

Want to discover all there is to do in Faro? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Faro

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 6,580 reviews

We really liked the boat tour with stops in beautiful places. The guide was nice and told us about the place he grew up in. The 5h tour passed very quickly. I recommend the activity !

We were lucky. The other guests did not show up. We had a private tour. We saw a lot in one day. It was fun. The driver was very friendly and knew a lot about the area.

Enjoyable, relaxing trip on a sunny day! Plenty of local info from the captain (very good sense of humour!). Lots of time on the islands to explore.

The trip was amazing! Great guide!! One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been!

It was magical ! The dolphins were right next to us. Extraordinary !