Algarve Faro & Praiada Rocha, Portugal

Staying in Faro offers visitors both a good Algarve beach experience and a chance to explore a well-preserved medieval town. The town of Faro has escaped the modern development that most other Algarve towns have experienced.

For a more deserted beach option, you can take a 40-minute ferry ride from Faro’s downtown to Farol and the sandspit beaches of Ilha da Barreta (Ilha Deserta) and Ilha da Culatra. Ilha Deserta has a nice restaurant you can enjoy. If you want a very quiet relaxed day on the beach with little else, then Deserta is the place for you. If you like to wander around with have a choice of places to eat and drink as well as a beautiful beach, then choose Ilha da Culatra.

Also, wandering through Faro’s pedestrian-only alleyways passing by shops and restaurants is fun. Faro’s main street leads off to other options. There are a number of moderate priced restaurants surrounding Praca Ferreira de Almeida.

We enjoyed staying at the moderately-priced Hotel Faro. It’s very centrally located in Faro’s medieval old town just minutes walk to the old town, marina fish restaurants, and public transportation to Faro’s beach and airport. The rooftop pool and restaurant offers wonderful views of the old town and marina. 

The Hotel Faro is a great place to put your feet up and have a drink or meal. The breakfast offered in this restaurant is excellent. The service at the Hotel Faro is very helpful explaining everything in perfect English. For guests of the hotel, a free shuttle is offered to their exclusive Beach Club on Faro Beach. It is a very nice place right on the beach with a full bar and menu available. Beach towels are available at the front deck.

Because the beach at Praiada Rocha is so big, even during the summer peak season there is room for everyone. The beach has beach bars/restaurants that are great fun during the day. The town above is lined with restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops for some good nighttime entertainment.

The Algarve has several cities, towns and villages including the region's capital city of Faro. Other cities include Albufeira, Lagoa, Lagos, Loulé, Olhão, Portimão, Quarteira, Silves, Tavira, and Vila Real de Santo António, in addition to various summer retreats such as Praia da Rocha, Armação de Pêra, Alvor, Monte Gordo, Tavira, Sagres, and Vilamoura.

Please see our other 3 travel blog posts for Portugal:

Lisbon, Portugal

Madeira, Portugal

Douro Valley (Portugal's premier port wine country)

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