Faro

Faro is located on the southern coast of Portugal and in the heart of the Algarve. It is the capital of the region and it is equipped with the main international airport in southern Portugal. Faro is the perfect starting point for any Algarve trip, as it is easy to find a cheap flight to Faro.

We went to the airport of Lisbon to pick up a car to drive Faro.

We rented an Air B&B about 5 minutes walking distance to the old town.

This the main square in Faro located in Front of the Marina.

View from the Main Square to the Marina

The city’s neoclassical Arco da Vila is on the site of a gate that was part of the original Moorish wall. The monumental archway leads to the old town (City (Cidate Velha).

The towers of Arco da Vila are a favorite nesting site for Faro's Storks and sure enough I caught one flying by.

The entrance of the old city.

Narrow cobbled stone street with lots of quaint apartments.

Road leading to the Praca Dom Afonso III

We are now on the Praca Dom Afonso III

On the left is the Museum Municipal of Faro, and on the right there are a bunch of restaurants.

In front of the Museum is a square with Dom Afonso III sculpture.

Sculpture of Dom Afonson III, The first king of Portugal (1210-1279) in the middle of the square.

The statue date from 1954 and was totally restored at the end of 2018. Here, the city of Faro honors this important man and, as the legend says, the King and his troops, right after the Reconquest of Faro, rested at nearby "Arco do Repouso" (the "Resting Arch").

The front of the Museum Municipal of Faro

The municipal Museum of Faro occupies the former Convent of Our Lady of the Assumption, built in the sixteenth century in a square behind the Cathedral (you can see the dome behind).

Once called the Archaeological Museum, it opened on this site in 1973, exhibiting artifacts and archaeological pieces discovered in the region

Portico and close view of a lantern in front of the Museum

The Museum is on the left and on the right there are a bunch of restaurants.

This restaurant caught our attention so we went in and made reservation for tonight.

The restaurant has a nice outdoor area for dinning.

We are continuing our walk by taking this small road.

We were looking for a restaurant for a light lunch and not far from there we saw O CASTELO restaurant and we decided to take a look.

They have a huge terrace in front of the entrance and it is over looking the Ria Formosa, one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Portugal.

Getting in the restaurant.

This is what you see when you stepped in the restaurant. O CASTELO is a Restaurant and lounge Bar.

We got a nice table with a view of the Rio Formosa.

The restaurant is really spacious and we got a really nice table with a great view.

Trilogy O Castelo style: Tuna Pate, Traditional carrots, herb and garlic butter served with a variety of bread. Hoa also ordered a nice cold beer,

We shared the grilled octopus with sweet potatoes served with a bowl of salad.

The octopus was perfectly cooked and was delicious. It was perfect for a light lunch.

We are now leaving the restaurant. They have a really terrace in front of the restaurant and I am sure they have lots big event here.

This is the back of the restaurant. Our table was one somewhere between the windows you see above.

NEXT.... Old Town continuation