Housing a medieval wall and excellent historical monuments, Faro is one of the best places to visit in Portugal. The capital of Algarve, Faro forms the administrative and cultural backbone of the region. If you seek to know more about the rich history of Portugal, Faro is the ideal place to start. The Faro itinerary guide plans a 7-day itinerary for tourists to make the most of their vacation to this charming Portuguese city.

Day 1: Visit the Old Town

The Cidade Velha or the Old Town of Faro is one of the most interesting sites to visit in the city. Situated within the medieval walls, it reflects the “golden age” of the area. Some of the sites in the Old Town include Sé (Cathedral), a 13th century cathedral; Arco da Vila - an extravagant arch that was inaugurated in 1881;  Galeria de Arte Trem – an old art gallery and Museu Arqueológico, which houses some great ancient sculptures from history. 

Day 2: See the Museums

There is a small selection of some marvelous museums in the city that represent the rich history of the area. You can start by visiting the Municipal Museum of Archeology that exhibits historical artifacts from Faro and the surrounding areas. Another interesting museum is the Regional Museum of the Algarve that puts on display local items including fishing nets, lace and saddles. Maritime Museum is another nice museum that you should visit; it houses a fantastic collection of Portuguese maritime relics.

Day 3: Explore the Majestic Castles

There are some interesting Moorish castles that you can visit in the city. Start with Silves Castle and Castro Marim. The Faro Castle in the Old Town is also a lovely site and features special natural attractions for children, where they can have a great time looking at the sea and climbing the old forts.

Day 4: Discover the Lovely Beaches

The city is surrounded by excellent beaches and also the Ria Formosa Lagoon, which is a natural reserve where many species of migratory birds come during the spring and autumn seasons. Some of the beaches include Ilha de Tavira Beach, Burgau Beach, Ilha de Armona Beach, Ilha da Culatra Beach and Ilha da Barreta Beach.

Day 5: Take a Day Tour

The Fabrica do Ingles day tour takes you to enjoy marvelous views of the country's cork industry and you can also dine at some perfect restaurants and vintage bars, which take special care of the kids with a nice outdoor play park.

Day 6: Surprise your Children by Visiting the Zoo

You can take your children to the Lagos Zoo, where the parrot and kangaroo exhibits are rated as the best attractions.

Day 7: Shopping

Shopping in Faro can be a treat for shopaholics. Though not known as a major shopping destination, there are some nice places where you can buy great stuff. You can opt to go to Forum Algarve - an outdoor mall that sells virtually everything you need. For genuine Portuguese items, head to “Mercado de Faro”, a traditional market located at “Largo do Mercado” in the heart of the town. Visitors can buy local costumes, handicrafts, shoes and several other products at bargain prices.

Faro is a lovely mix of ancient historical castles, sandy beaches, cobbled old town streets with architectural wonders and chic entertainment districts.