Faro Holidays

Old meets new

Faro’s one of Portugal’s more traditional spots. It’s the capital of the Algarve, and is a little quieter than some of the country’s other big-name cities, like Lisbon and Porto. Faro boasts a nature reserve, historic cathedrals, and a sleepy old town scattered with charming cafés and tiny restaurants. The city centre’s edged by a marina where local fishermen load and unload their boats, and clam pickers return to shore. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle, go for some R&R on the beach at Ilha Deserta or visit Ria Formosa where you can take a scenic walk or kayak thorough the wetland.

Visit the eerie Capela dos Ossos

One of the main attractions for visitors in Faro is the Capela dos Ossos – the Chapel of Bones. As you’d expect from its name, this place is made out of real skeletons. The bones and skulls of more than a thousand monks fill every available space in the chapel, displayed in geometric patterns. The design isn’t as morbid as it sounds though – the chapel was made to serve as a reminder of the simple, holy lives the monks lead.