| Faro is a city of both beaches and lagoons. Both the | | | | on small islands and to get to them you'll need to take |
| City of Faro and the area around the city are one of | | | | one of the regular passenger ferries. Known as 'ilhas' |
| the best attractions for visitors to Portugal's Algarve | | | | these tiny islands are perfect for exploring and ideal |
| region, with some of the best beaches in Europe many | | | | for enjoying the pure combination of sand and sea in |
| suitable for different water-based activities too. The | | | | an strangely peaceful manner. The Ilha Deserta has a |
| nearby coastline is also the location for world-class | | | | very good restaurant, and is popular for swimming and |
| golf, rural trekking and cycling, all with the welcome | | | | a range of water sports, while Ilha Culatra is a friendly |
| addition of history, culture and good food. Average | | | | community with a beautiful sandy beach that is popular |
| daytime summer temperatures are around 28 | | | | with locals and tourists alike. |
| degrees, while even the winter days rarely serve up | | | | Rather than reach the Ilhas by passenger ferry, many |
| unpleasant weather conditions. Sea temperature | | | | visitors to Faro enjoy getting around by kayak or |
| averages in winter are around 15 degrees, rising to 22 | | | | bicycle - or both. The Ria Formosa lagoon is ideal for |
| degrees in the summer. | | | | exploring by canoe, which you can hire individually or |
| Faro's large, modern airport is the main thoroughfare | | | | use as part of an organised tour. There are also |
| for visitors from around the world, yet rather than | | | | organised boat trips to some of the more quieter |
| head off into the region many holidaymakers choose | | | | islands. Those who enjoy nature and wildlife will also |
| to remain nearby as there's a huge choice of great | | | | love the lagoon here. Watching migratory birds as you |
| resorts. The Ria Formosa lagoon is one of the more | | | | paddle leisurely along one of the many watercourses |
| impressive sights of Faro city, with many sandy | | | | is a great way to relax. There are also cycle tours |
| beaches on the outer edge of what is a protected | | | | around the lagoon on specially designated cycle paths. |
| nature reserve. These beaches are mostly accessible | | | | When you're done with sailing, cycling or canoeing then |
| by boat, with the most popular - Praia de Faro - near | | | | evenings in Faro can be great for winding down and |
| to the airport and also accessible by car. Praia de Faro | | | | taking in the local culture. Old Town Faro, with its |
| is actually an island, with the sea on one side and the | | | | Roman and Moorish history, contains some excellent |
| Ria Formosa lagoon on the other. Both sides are great | | | | architectural relics and sites of interest, as well as |
| for swimming, while the scenic lagoon side is popular | | | | some amazing restaurants, museums and shops. |
| for sailors with dinghies and jet-ski riders. The golden | | | | An ideal location to explore and enjoy a range of |
| sands on the seaward side can become the choice | | | | things to do on or off the beach, Faro is also a great |
| destination on some summer days but there is enough | | | | base to discover the rest of the Algarve, one of the |
| space, and enough cafes and bars to suit everyone's | | | | best regions for water sports in the world. There are |
| tastes for a refreshing and energising day at the | | | | some fantastic villas in Faro, and with plenty of flights |
| beach. | | | | from the UK, year round good weather, fine beaches |
| For those who want to add a bit of adventure to their | | | | makes this city and district one of the most stylish and |
| Faro holidays, there are many 'sandpit' beaches around | | | | appealing in the Algarve. |
| the Ria Formosa Lagoon. These beaches are located | | | | |