Faro Entertainment

As a visitor to Faro, you will find plenty to do, no matter whether your interest is in the delicious regional and local food, lively evening entertainment or the variety of Algarvean crafts, wine and clothing on offer.

Eating out

The pedestrianised rua de Santo Antonio features a good selection of restaurants and food stores catering for all budgets and tastes. If youre interested in a restaurant with a view, try the terrace at the Ginasio Clube Naval, which overlooks the harbour. If youre set on a seafood feast, the Adega Dois Irmaos is the city's oldest seafood restaurant, where they display the catch of the day. For well-priced Algarve specialities, a good choice is Tasca, on the rua del Alportel. There are also some cafs at Faros small harbour which are worth a visit. Eating out is affordable and leisurely in the Algarve, and meals tend to be rather lengthy.

Local cuisine

The best of the Algarve's cuisine is available in Faro. In particular, fish soup, grilled sardines and traditional razor clam risotto are specialties that should not be missed. For dessert, local figs and almonds are used in making cakes and other delicacies. To finish off your meal, you might like to try a glass of fig brandy, or medronho, a liqueur made from the fruit of the arbutus tree. Piri-Piri chicken, featured throughout the Algarve, is said to be at its best in the town of Guia. Youll also find this spicy dish in Faro, where it is enjoyed by tourists and locals alike. Overall, youll find a wide variety of very tasty and high quality meals on offer.

Theatre and music

There is a beautiful Italianate theatre in Faro that hosts drama, dance and music events. For entertainment most evenings, centred round rua Conselheiro Bivar, rua do Prior and rua da Madalena, are some very lively bars, some featuring live bands or guest DJs. The action starts late, with not much happening until around midnight.

Shopping

Faro is ideal for shopping for colourful Algarvean crafts. In particular, youll find tiles decorated with traditional motifs, embroidered tablecloths and woven and plaited palm leaf products. If you venture further inland, you can watch the local women weave and plait palm leaves to make baskets and mats in Estoi and Santa Brbara de Nexe.

The main shopping area in Faro is in the centre, on rua Francisco Gomes and rua Santo Antonio. The best buys include locally-made leather goods, pottery and decorated tiles, crystal, embroidered goods, jewellery, copperware and cork products. If youre interested in mingling with the locals, there is a colourful produce market open every day on the Largo do Mercado.