The village is located on top of a hill and overs some great views over both the river and Portimao, so amateur photographers might want to give it a look just for this reason alone. The place is also the site of several archaeological finds, so those interested in the local culture and history shouldn’t miss it.

Those who are fans of seafood will thoroughly enjoy the Algarve, for certain, but Mexilhoeira’s past is deeply steeped in oysters, clams and mussels which are harvested from the mud flaps in the marshland below it. Entering the village will have you climbing a gentle slope with bronze statues of well-known locals greeting you on your way up.

The village has a very strong community spirit built up around its roots, and this is publicly demonstrated by the many tiled benches on which people rest that can be found outside one of the smaller village chapels. A large church graces the top of the village, its surroundings too feature seating areas which are usually occupied by locals chatting in the late afternoons. From this point in the village you can also snap some great panoramas of the river and the coast but don’t forget to take note of the 18^th century church doorways.

The village is small but it has quite a few good restaurants offering some great traditional fare for lower prices than Portimao. There are also several bars dotted around the place and there’s a mini market as well.

You might also want to consider visiting it for the local temperature because the village is a little cooler in the summer thanks to a breeze coming from the coast and settling throughout its narrow roads and one-way streets.

With some Algarve car rental services you can easily check the place out on a day-trip or more.

One of the best starting places for a tour of the entire city is in fact an attraction in itself, the Praca de Dom Francisco Gomes features an obelisk erected in 1910 which commemorates the diplomat Ferreira d’Almeida, an important figure in Faro’s history.

From there, those looking for some peace and quiet can enjoy the Jardim Manuel Bivar, a garden featuring wonderful flower beds, tall palms and jacaranda trees. On the east side of the park you can see the Igreja de Misericordia, a 14^th century church.

Beyond the Jardim, you can see the Arco da Vila, which is an arched gateway, surmounted by a bell tower and a statue of Faro’s patron saint, St. Thomas Aquinus. Through the gateway you’ll see the very attractive historical centre of Faro.

The historical centre of Faro is dominated by the Cathedral, which saw most of its original Gothic look destroyed by the 1755 earthquake, however the tower and south window still remain from the initial building. It was of course later rebuilt and renovated and it now features elements of Gothic, Romanesque and Baroque architecture.

The interior is very quiet and reminiscent of a basilica, definitely a must-see for those who have a thing for religious buildings.

Then there’s the Largo Se, in the square in front of the cathedral, you can see the town hall and the Bishop’s Palace.

A bit to the south of the Cathedral, on the Praca Afonso III, you’ll find the Archaeological Museum, which is housed in what used to be the convent of Nossa Senhora da Assuncao, founded in 1518.

These are still not all of the attractions in the city, but only a few, make sure you employ our Faro car hire services in order to see them and many more while on your trip there.