Faro is one of the largest cities in the country of Portugal.

Shopping in Faro

There are many commodities that are reasonably priced in Portugal, including clothing, shoes and handicraft products. Food in markets is reasonably priced, and drinks of course. When you visit Portugal you of course buy wine. Port wines and other locally produced wines are always on the list of mandatory products.

Leather goods are also often very cheap. Lace, embroidery, crockery and handmade straw baskets are typical souvenirs. In historical places you can also buy copies of old terracotta figures and other similar products.

Both Faro and tourist cities such as Portimao and Albufeira have a number of shops for happy people. Feel free to visit a Zara store or Massimo Dutti. Prices are very often cheaper than home. Supermarket food is not very cheap, but you can of course get quality products you do not like at home on Rema 1000. Small shops and local shops in and around Faro normally open from 0900 or 1000 in the morning and close around 1900. Most shops of this type close in the lunch.

Just like in Spain, you are the last in Portugal. Also keep in mind that stores in Portugal are not obliged to exchange goods with the exception of goods that have noticeable errors. Larger shopping centers have extended opening hours, and are also open on Sundays.

Shopping centers in and around Faro

The largest shopping complexes in the Algarve are the Forum Algarve in Faro  defined by AbbreviationFinder and the Guia Shopping Center near Albufeira. Forum Algarve is a great shopping center with shops both under the roof and in the open air. You will find the center between Faro and the airport. The range of shops is large and you will also find a cinema here. The shops are located over two floors and you also have a large jumbo (hypermarket) market on the first floor. The center is child-friendly, with a number of toilets, changing rooms, restaurants and cafes. Shops you find here include Zara, FNAC and Benetton. Opening hours are from 0900 to 2300, and in high season Forum Algarve closes only at midnight.

Shopping areas in Faro

Shopping tourists in Faro are moving to the city center and the car-free part of the city. With Rua de Santa Antonio and its gallery areas as the center, you will find a number of specialty shops. Try east and west small streets, for this cozy area includes at least three blocks. Also visit the Praça Ferreira de Almeida square in the north of Faro where you will find the famous food and wine shop Garrrafeira Rui.

Markets in Faro

The Mercado de Faro in the center is the place for morning birds. This market opens at 0630. The largest market and Faro’s food market is called Mercado Minicipal and is open throughout the week during high season. Great for watching and buying fish, fruits, vegetables, cheese, sausages and much more. Not least you get to see the full width of the delicacies of the sea. Here everything is sold and cooked from coats to eels. You come here by walking the street Rua do Lethes.

The address is Largo Dr Francisco Sa Carneiro. The market is located just outside the pedestrian zone of Faro.

Feel free to ask the locals for tips. There are many small local markets where you will find typical Algarve specialties and which differs slightly from the typical large “tourist markets”.

Eating in Faro

Food is generally reasonably measured by Norwegian standards. The food in Portugal is often inspired by the sea, and not least in the Algarve and Faro. Fish and shellfish are mandatory to eat. Seafood such as oysters has particularly good conditions outside Ria Formosa, and a number of restaurants take the opportunity to sell you delicious seafood dishes.

Try a catapana, a local seafood dish. The name derives from the casserole used, a type of casserole / pan that the Moors brought with them hundreds of years ago. You must have meat so try the specialty porco preto, or black pig.

There are a number of restaurants in Faro, and all the international cuisine is represented. Spanish, Italian, French, Indian and Chinese! And Portuguese food of course. The price of food and drinks is generally nice in Faro, but some very touristy restaurants try to get the most out of the tourist season. And there are top quality restaurants. There you have to expect to pay the quality costs as well.

Featured restaurants in Faro,

If you are just looking for a simple meal, there are countless restaurants and cafes in both the old town and the new town. For those who are looking for a little more, we suggest the following:

Camane

The Camane restaurant, located on Avenida Praia de Faro Street, is said to be among the local residents to be among the region’s top five restaurants. For table bookings, call +351 289 817 539. Open only for dinner in August. Specialty is itscaldeirada de lagosta (lobster stew).

Monte Do Casal

The premises here contain both a nice and different boutique hotel and a slightly different but reputable restaurant. The menu consists of international dishes. The Monte Do Casal restaurant is popular. You will find the restaurant just outside Faro, at Estoi. The address is Cerro do Lobo. For table bookings call +351 289 991 503. The restaurant is popular so book well in advance. A dining experience awaits you.

Taska

This is an eatery at a typical inn with typical food for the region, where the main emphasis of the menu comes from the sea. Here you can for example. eat eel, but also get carne de porco com ameijoas, or pork as we call it in Norway. The address is Rua do Alportel 38. Call +351 289 824 739 for reservations.

Cheap gourmet

If you want to eat affordable food and have a rental car, then head to Adega Vilalisa in Mexilhoeira Grande. You are then west of Faro, ie between Portimao and Lagos. The address is 52 Rua Francisco Bivar. Famous Portuguese food critic José Quitério believes this charming and small eatery is among the top 100 restaurants in all of Portugal. Many traditional dishes on the menu, not least thecanja de conquilhas, (soup with heart mussels).

Nightlife in Faro

There are a few big discos in Faro, but the more bars and pubs. Often these live music or for that matter have karaoke as entertainment for their summer guests. The best street for nightlife is Rua do Prior. We recommend, for example. Fashion Café, Millennium III, Quata-Sabada, Koppus Club and Che6. Remember that real parties only start after midnight.