Faro is one of the most heavily trafficked Portugal cities which is famed as the major transportation hub for the Algarve. Tourists in huge crowds book flights to Faro as an entryway to the coastal Algarve towns and resorts. Those with a few extra hours to spare will find plenty to do in Faro. Packed full of charm and charisma, the city is one of Portugal’s most lively and happening cities.

Take a breather and hop a trolley to Old Town for a glimpse at medieval artefacts and Roman ruins. Stroll into the Igreja do Carmo, a ghostly chapel decorated with the bones of monks buried at a nearby cemetery. Save the beaches for the resort towns in the Algarve – instead, visit some of Faro’s museums including the archaeological Municipal Museum and the local maritime museum. Helpful hint: have an early morning Faro flight? Spend a night in the city and hit the town. Faro has great restaurants and an attractive bar scene so you can explore the nightlife and still make your Faro flight in the morning. Nature buffs from around the world are flying to Faro to see Ria Formosa, a lagoon that spans over 100 square miles in the Algarve. It is home to a massive variety of birds that frequent the lagoon in the winter months.