Historical Places to Visit in Faro

Faro is the capital of the province of the Algarve. Today it has a population of just over 40,000 inhabitants. In history Faro was home to Roman and Arab settlements, the influence left by them can still be seen on various locations throughout. During the Arab era Faro was a very important commercial port. After the 1755 earthquake many buildings had to be rebuilt and restored. You can admire the massive walls that were built in the 9^th century around the village to protect the population from incoming invaders from the sea that overlooks the Ria Formosa. On the outskirts of Faro there are still many families dedicated to agriculture, especially orange production with typically built homes ornamented with palm trees and olive trees.

Historical Places to Visit in Faro

• Customs House, built in the 16^th century (Casa da Alfândega)

• City’s Arch, 1812 (Arco da Vila)

• Maritime Agreement House 18^th century (casa do Compromisso Maritimo)

• Marine Museum (Museu da Marinha)

• Archaeological Museum of Prince Henry the Navigator (Museu Arqueológico Infante D. Henrique)

• Algarve´s Regional Museum (Museu Etnográfico)

• Episcopal Palace, 16^th Century (Palácio Episcopal)

• Monastery of Our Lady of the Assumption, 16^th Century (Mosteiro da Nossa Senhora da Assunção)

• St. Francis Granary 18^th century (Celeiro de São Francisco)

• Misericórdia (Mercy) Church, 16th Century (Igreja da Misericórdia)

• Jewish cemetery 1820 (Cemitério dos Judeus)

• St. Peter Church, 16^th Century (Igreja de São Pedro)

• Carmo Church and Bone Chapel, 18^th Century (Igreja do Carmo)

• Church and Convent of the Third Order of St. Francis, 17^th Century ( Igreja e Convento de São Francisco)

• Church and Monastery of the Capuchos, 17^th Century (Igreja e Convento dos Capuchos)

• City Walls and Castle that surround the initial settlement, 9^th Century (Muralhas e Castelo)

• City Walls, 17^th century (Muralhas de Faro)
• Magdalena Chapel 19^th century (Capela da Madalena)
• Our lady of O Chapel 13^th century (Capela da Senhora do O)
• Our lady of Hope Chapel 15^th-16^th century (Ermida da Nossa Senhora da Esperança)
• Chapel of our lady at the foot of the cross 17^th Century (Capela de nossa senhora do pé da cruz)
• Chapel of our lady of rest 18^th century (Capela de nossa senhora do Repouso)
• St. Anthony Museum and Chapel (Highest point in Faro) built in 1355 (Capela de Sto. Antonio do Alto)
• Chapel of St. Michael, 18^th Century (Capela de São Miguel)
• Chapel of St. Louis, 17^th Century (Capela de São Luis)
• Chapel of St. Sebastian, 17^th Century (Capela de São Sebastião)
• Municipal Galleries (Galerias Municipais)
• Civil Government Building, 19^th Century (Governo Civil)
• Ourives Farm, 17^th Century (Horta do Ourives)
• Municipal Council, 19^th Century (Paços do Concelho)
• Sé Cathedral, 13^th – 14^th Century (Igreja da Sé)
• Lethes Theater, 16^th – 18^th Century (Teatro Lethes)
• Also close to Faro, in a village called Estoi you can visit:
• Roman Ruins of Milreu, 1^st – 4^th Century (Ruinas Romanas de Milreu)
• Estoi Palace 18^th Century (Palácio de Estoi)
• Main Church, 16^th Century (Igreja Matriz)
• Our Lady of the Cross Chapel 17^th Century (Nossa Senhora do Pé da Cruz)