1. Algarve Chefs Week – Mid to Late April 2026
Spring in Faro starts with a celebration of flavor during Algarve Chefs Week, a regional event that highlights the Algarve’s culinary identity.
Restaurants across Faro and nearby towns offer specially curated menus focused on seasonal ingredients such as fresh seafood, local produce, and regional wines. It’s a great opportunity to experience both traditional Portuguese dishes and more modern interpretations in a refined yet accessible setting.
For visitors, this event goes beyond dining- it’s a way to connect with local culture through food, while exploring different venues across the city.

2. Festival Internacional de Jazz do Algarve – Mid-April 2026
Music lovers will appreciate the relaxed elegance of the International Jazz Festival of the Algarve, which brings a sophisticated cultural atmosphere to Faro.
Performances are typically hosted in smaller venues, creating an intimate connection between artists and audiences. The lineup blends international talent with Portuguese musicians, offering a diverse musical experience.
Combined with Faro’s scenic evenings, the festival becomes more than just a concert- it’s an opportunity to enjoy live music in a laid-back, atmospheric setting.

3. Semana Académica do Algarve – Late April to Early May 2026
As April progresses, Faro becomes more energetic with the arrival of Semana Académica, organized by students from the University of Algarve.
This lively festival includes concerts, parades, and themed nightlife events that transform the city into a hub of celebration. While rooted in student traditions, it attracts a wider audience and offers visitors a chance to experience Portugal’s youthful and social side.
Expect a vibrant atmosphere, especially in the evenings, with large open-air events and a strong sense of community.

4. Ria Formosa Nature Festival – Late April 2026
For a quieter and more natural experience, events around the Ria Formosa Natural Park provide a refreshing contrast.
This festival focuses on the region’s unique ecosystem, offering activities such as guided walks, birdwatching, and boat tours through lagoons and islands. It’s an excellent way to explore one of Portugal’s most important natural areas while learning about its biodiversity.
The combination of scenic landscapes and educational experiences makes it ideal for travelers looking to balance culture with nature.

5. Faro Cultural Spring Events (Cidade Velha Series) – Late April 2026
Throughout late April, the historic Cidade Velha hosts a variety of smaller cultural events that showcase the city’s creative side.
These include live music, art exhibitions, and local performances set against the backdrop of Faro’s old town. The intimate scale of these events allows visitors to engage more closely with local artists and traditions.
They offer a more authentic and relaxed cultural experience, perfect for those who prefer discovering a destination beyond large festivals.

Spring in Faro offers a well-balanced mix of gastronomy, music, youthful energy, and natural beauty, without the intensity of peak season. With events spread across the city and surrounding areas, planning your transport in advance can make your trip far more enjoyable.
For convenient and reliable travel, you can book professional taxi services and airport transfers with Faro Transfers, ensuring a smooth, door-to-door experience from arrival to destination.
If you prefer more flexibility, renting a car through Lagos Car Hire allows you to explore the Algarve at your own pace, from coastal spots to natural parks and nearby towns.
With the right balance of planning and spontaneity, Faro in spring becomes an easy and memorable destination to explore.

Faro, the capital city of the Algarve, and its international airport is the gateway for many tourists arriving in southern Portugal. Proud of its maritime heritage, Faro remains a busy and colorful port, a charming city that’s definitely worth visiting at least once in a lifetime.
It is the Old Town, however, that sightseers will want to visit. Enclosed by solid defensive walls, Faro’s Cidade Velha sits on Roman and Moorish foundations. This is one of the most attractive locations, surrounded by magical old churches including a magnificent cathedral, fascinating little squares and white washed cobbled streets with an impressive range of restaurants and cafes.

Another breathtaking location is Sagres, the southwesternmost town in Portugal, which has two points of interest you can’t miss: Cape St. Vincent and Sagres Fortress. Sagres has a profound history and a unique charm. Since the Middle Ages, this edge of Europe was considered “the end of the world”.
A paradise for nature lovers, Cape St. Vincent is, not surprisingly, a nature reserve since 1988, given the number of species that make this place their home, such as sea otters, herons and Bonelli’s eagles.
The Cape of St. Vincent combines nature, culture and myth. Come and discover this marvelous place, where the green lush exceeds any dreams or expectations, where the nature and naturality reign and where you can feel and almost touch the magnitude of nature. The Cape of St. Vincent and the surrounding area is one of the rare places where the geographical location, a wild but majestic nature, and historical factors combine with a mythical dimension.
Apart from its outstanding wildlife, the area is rich in history with evidence of occupation dating back to prehistoric times. There are also remnants of Roman and Phoenician settlements in the area. Ancient Greek chroniclers described Cabo de São Vicente as ”the end of the inhabited earth”.
The imposing lighthouse from Cape St. Vincent contains the largest warning light in Europe for both marine and air traffic. Here there’s a bird-watching festival every October which will definitely astonish the bird lovers.

Lagos is the western Algarve’s liveliest resort town, as well as a great historical significant location, as prince Henry the Navigator launched Portugal’s Age of Discovery from Lagos in the 15th century.
Lagos is one of the cities in Algarve visitors love the most, which has gracefuly maintained its authenticity. The town has a young, cheerful vibe, as well as a wealth of historic attractions and entertaining things to do.
When you visit Lagos, take some time to lose yourself in the alleys of its historic centre and enjoy the atmosphere of this city.
After visiting the historic centre, discover the Fort of Ponta da Bandeira, built in the 17th century. Here you can admire the small, but beautiful Chapel of Santa Bárbara, covered with glazed tiles and mesmerizing landscapes.
Located near the port city of Lagos, Ponta da Piedade is an exceptional natural place, offering a stunning view over Cape St. Vincent, with beautiful cliffs, arches and caves.
The town’s medieval collection of castle walls and graceful churches always captures the imagination of passers by, but it’s the coastline that enchants the visitors and tourists. In this idyllic place you can enjoy the most beautiful moments with your family and friends!

Associated with the fishing activity for centuries, Alvor flourished in time and, nowadays, most of its economy is dependent of the tourism industry.
In this absolutely enchanting corner of paradise you can admire some places like the Misericórdia Church, the town market (mercado municipal) and Ria de Alvor, a place where you’ll find beautiful different birds’ species.
One of the outstanding places is represented by the vast Alvor Beach, where you can relax and enjoy the warm weather and hikes in the biggest walkway in Algarve.

Considered one of the most beautiful towns in the Algarve region, Carvoeiro is an adventurous and nature embracing postcard for those eager to visit southern Portugal.
Besides from the amazing bubbly beaches like Carvoeiro Beach and Vale Centeanes Beach, you’ll also have other points of interest you won’t want to miss. Surrounded by spectacular natural scenery, dramatic cliffs, and beautiful beaches, this popular resort town has everything you could want when seeking a relaxing getaway.
After enjoying the beautiful landscape, you can enjoy the fascinating wooden walkway that connects the site of the ruins of Nossa Senhora da Encarnação Fort to Algar Seco, a small 570-metre walk. This walkway is definitely one of the most beautiful in Algarve, where you can admire the beautiful bluffs and natural “windows” carved by the sea and wind erosion, especially in the Algar Seco location.
Another place you can’t miss during your visit to Carvoeiro and surrounding areas is the Algar de Benagil. This place is only accessible by sea, but it’s definitely a place you’ll want to explore! Don’t miss the chance to discover one of the most beautiful places in Portugal!

Enjoy the biggest adventure with your family and friends, always counting on Lagos Car Hire, which provides excellent safely car rental conditions for amazing and unforgettable adeventures!

Faro is a municipality and the southernmost city and seat of the district of the same name, in the Algarve region of southern Portugal.

Once you have arrived in the sunny Faro, you cannot miss Cidade Velha (the Old City), where you can admire the splendid architectural styles, result of numerous earthquakes and British bombardments, the fascinating cobbled streets, as well as the picturesque atmosphere whom you will fall in love with. You’ll also find a sprinkling of cafes and bars, within O’Castelo. This is not just a bar, café and restaurant, they also stage a range of cultural events and club nights in their courtyard.

For history lovers, the Faro Municipal Museum is the perfect corner to be delighted with many interesting stories, unique exhibits and marvellous collections. The Faro Municipal Museum was established in 1894 and it resides in a 16th century building of the former Convent of Our Lady of the Assumption. A collection of 17th and 19th century artwork from Portuguese, Italian and Spanish painters are on display along with sacred artifacts from churches in the region.

Definitely one of the most beautiful places to go to is Ria Formosa Natural Park, described as one of the Portugal’s ”Seven Wonders”, formed of salt pans, lagoons and barrier islands. These islands protect the region from the powerful seas, while also providing some of the quietest and most scenic beaches of the Algarve. A boat tour is a great way to discover the region, with its thriving marine ecosystem, unspoilt beaches, and rich fishing heritage.

Previously known as Pousada de Faro, the famous Palace of Estoi was built in the 19th century by the Viscount of Estoi, a wealthy and tasteful man who created a beautiful neo-rococo family home with superb French style gardens resembling to Versailles, including statues and exotic flora. The interior is now a luxury hotel, but non-residents are free to wander the grounds and enjoy a coffee with a view on the balcony of the restaurant.

Last, but not the least, the Arco da Vila is Faro’s fine neo-classical archway entrance to the Algarve city’s old quarter  (Cidade Velha). Some of its walls are Moorish in foundation but the structure has an Italianate, Neo-Classical appearance, thanks to a project led by Bishop Francisco Gomes in the 19th century.

You cannot miss these beautiful places, surrounded by charm and history, so wonderfully preserved!

Enjoy the most beautiful moments of your holidays with your family and friends, always counting on Faro Low Cost Transfers, which guarantee high services transfers in the best conditions!

If you are already ready for your low season vacation, we have a brilliant suggestion for you: Sagres Bird Watching and visiting in October 2018.

What’s the occasion? The new edition of the Sagres Bird watching festival, which is bound to take place between 4 and 7 October. You might be wondering what that is and if a bird watching event is what is sounds or… and the answer is yes, year after year, bird lovers gather to this part of the lovely Algarve to watch migratory birds flying by in an exotic and wonderful dance. Trust the Portuguese to organize such a gentle and touching event, in honor of nature and the variety of life.

The birds, including hawks, eagles, storks, vultures, falcons and owls, but also an amazing variety of seabirds, are making a last wonderful display before fleeing to the much warmer reams of Africa. A lot of photographers and biologists take a great interest in this event, so they are expected to come to the festival this year as well. They are the experts at work and on holiday here.

But that’s not to say that if you are not necessarily an avid bird watcher or if you have never attended such an event you are less welcome to join the Sagres festival. Quite on the contrary, it’s pretty much “the more, the merrier”, so you can come and see if you like what you see.

How to get to the festival venue? Just book a Faro Airport transfer and the driver will take you there with no delay.

So what is in store for those who enjoy bird watching but also wish to try other activities? Experiences available include bird ringing, field and boat trips, exhibitions and activities meant to entertain kids, diving, paddle boating and surfing, but also dolphin watching and more relaxing activities, such as therapeutic sessions and long walks in nature.

The list of exciting events in the Portuguese calendar, here are just a few that will give you just as many pretexts to come visit the Algarve.

An emerging city in Portugal is Quarteira, which is just about to receive more exposure with the new session of project presentation entailing commercial modernization. The session, named “Comercio Investe”, is bound to take place on March 6th at the Auditorium of the Centro Autarquico de Quarteira.

As the month of March progresses, it is the turn for Lagos and Loule to come to the fore with the 10th edition of the “Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen” Literary Contest, which is open until March 20th. Reading sessions, conferences, a workshop and various other activities are in store. The main purpose of the event is to promote reading among the youths, particularly the work of the well-known author. She will be honored on March 14th with an event held at the Library, with a projection of the short 1969 film “Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen”, followed by a Conference hosted by Helena Malheiro, where the life and work of the woman writer will be remembered.

Do you like Flamenco? If the answer is yes, then you are invited in Faro, at the Teatro das Figuras, where the UNESCO Intangible World Heritage of Flamenco will be celebrated between the 13th and 14th of March. The event will be preceded by a workshop held by the famous dancer Luna Fabiola. The show “Conexion Flamenca” is wonderfully dynamic visually and musically and will take place on the 13th. (Tickets cost 10 Euro, and a place in the workshop is 20 Euro).

If you are in the Algarve and need transportation, you can either rent a car in Lagos or book a Faro airport transfer online!

Once you’re atop of the hill you’ll see the town becoming you to wander its beautiful streets and keep in mind that Ferragudo has only been an official town since 1999, so lots of the rural atmosphere is still here.

Ferragudo is quite a popular destination for many locals because of its Sunday flea market, set along the river Arade. But for those settling in for a few days or who want to take in the typical atmosphere, there’s always the large cobbled square – Praca Rainha Dona Leonor – which is full of cafes and a general great place to just sit, relax and watch the people buzz around you.

Sitting on the Arade and offering views dirreclty across to Portimao, the local port can be an attraction in itself when you see big cruise liners moored across the river almost as big as the buildings. Ferragudo was once a rather thriving fishing village and some of that activity is still there especially when it comes to the riverfront walkway where several restaurants offer great seafood dishes.

One attraction that you shouldn’t miss is the Sao Jao de Arade fort  which you can see in its full glory from the beach nearest the village – Praia da Angrinha. The fort originates from the 15^th century and has benefit from later additions during the 18^th century.

Then you can head towards the lighthouse and you’ll see many villas overlooking the coast and in case you’re into walking, the furthest beach is the Praia dos Caneiros which has some great coffee, but a bit expensive.

Keep in mind some Algarve car rental services for your visit to Ferragudo.

And it appears that starting with the month of June the Algarve and Seville started working together in order to promote each other as tourist destinations. This new cooperation being made possible by the signing of a protocol between the Algarve Tourism Board and the Diputacion Provincial de Sevilla – or Seville Country Council – on June 10.

According to Desiderio Silva – president of Algarve Toruism – the goal of the Algarve is to have a much greater visibility as a tourism destination in Spain. The idea of securing this protocol, which will be reciprocal in terms of promotion, is just one way of achieving this goal and allowing the Algarve tourism industry to materialize projects that value both the Algarvean and the Andalusian territories.

The ceremony to ratify the document took place in Faro on June 19.

This tourism alliance wants to make the Algarve one of the main travel choices for Spanish holidaymakers, hoping to, at the same time, enhance the Iberian destinations in the eyes of Algarvians through promoting the Spanish complementary tourism products throughout the year.

During the ratification ceremony, Desiderio Silva said that the protocol should also help to ‘increase the number of Spanish visitors in the south of Portugal, and of Portuguese visitors in the province of Seville’ a desired outcome that will prove to be very positive for hotels, restaurants, and all around for the businesses in both countries.

At the ceremony, the vice-president of the Diputacion Provincial de Sevilla – Maria Dolores – was also present, and she presented Seville as a destination for Algarve residents.

Tavira Castle

The current castle was built in the 13^th century after the Christina re-conquest of the region, it used to be a Moorish stronghold before that moment, and you can easily understand why once you get there. The stunning panoramic views that it offers of the surrounding countryside means that the defenders in the fortress could see enemy troop movements from afar, nowadays however the place features a wonderful garden inside with shaded benches, how the times have changed.

Roman Ruins in Vilamoura

Vilamoura is the location of a very well-preserved Roman Site with a dedicated Museum meant to privde a great insight into the area’s Roman past. Vilamoura actually started as a Roman fishing town and you can still see the ruins of the baths in which the mariners would bathe.

Roman Ruins in Faro

Staying in the Roman era, Faro is one of the central destinations for Roman-related ruins and history to be found in the Algarve. The old part of the city is actually still surrounded by the Roman walls which date to sometime around the 9^th century, however by that time the town would’ve already been occupied by the Moors so that’s a bit odd and interesting at the same time.

Actually most of the Roman ruins in the region aren’t exactly in Faro, but in Estoi, which is a smaller town located at eleven kilometers from Faro. This is where you can find Roman ruins dating from the first and second centuries AD with thermal baths, columns, mosaics, and a very well-preserved villa.

Keep some Algarve car rental services in mind when visiting the Algarve.

The town gets its name from the start of the 19^th century when local fishermen sailed to inform the Prince Regent – who at that time was in exile in Rio de Janeiro – of the victory over the invading French; the prince rewarded them by naming their town Vila de Olaho da Restauracao.

Pretty much anyone who has been to the Algarve has heard of Faro, this is after all most likely where they first set foot in the region, if not the country, however not many have heard of the old Roman port of Ossonoba which became the capital of the Algarve. Ossonoba and Faro are the same place.

Faro officially became a city in 1540, only for it to be sacked by the English in 1596 who made it a goal of his to steal books from the Bishop’s Library – interestingly enough those books have been treasured by the British and they still exist in the Ashmolean Library in Oxford.

This is definitely the place to see for all those who are interested in learning about the local culture and especially the history of the place. This is where you’ll find the Algarve Regional Museums as well as the Archaeological Museum – both of which make for some very good destinations; there are also remnants of city walls built by the Romans and the Byzantines, an Italian designed horseshoe gate and a plethora of churches to name but a few of the various other historic destinations that you can visit here.

Keep our Algarve car hire services in mind when you’re following our Algarve history travel guide.

Most people will know by now that the Algarve is quite well known both in the Europe as well as all around the world for being a great tourist destination for those looking for sun, sand and wonderful weather all year-round.

That is still true however recently it appears that the Algarve will start being promoted as a health and wellbeing destination as well.

The first Congress on Health and Wellbeing Tourism took place in Faro on 9 November and it spawned the idea of promoting the Algarve region as an ideal destination for health and wellbeing as a way of attracting more tourists to the region and as a way of fighting growing unemployment.

The event consisted of the first general assembly of the Portuguese Association for health and Wellbeing Tourism, during which its commission for this new organization was also formed.

The  association was built on a national level and it will include members from throughout the country, including the islands of Madeira and the Azores, and also take into consideration the various sub-products related to health and wellbeing tourism.

The goal of the association is to improve the position of the region’s tourist appeal as a way of attracting more tourists to the region. By doing this they wish to boost profits for the partners that join the association and at the same time stimulate employment.

The thinking behind it is that as unemployment rises, so does criminality, and an increase in criminality will then have a negative effect on the tourism which would then spiral continuously downward.

Now this might be a bit odd considering how the concept of health and wellbeing tourism is linked with the private sector however the public sector has a very important role to carry out as well by guaranteeing the safety of the destination.

This is expected to have an effect on all the businesses in the region, including the Algarve car rental one.