Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Faro?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Faro?

Many visitors spend two to five days in Faro during their trip. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because your journey calls for making the most of every moment. The resort town offers the chance to grab some drinks at a bar, explore the underwater world, lounge on the beach, and browse around the old town.

Faro is the capital of the Algarve region in Portugal. The city has many historic landmarks and an old town that's filled with cobblestone streets. Art and architecture lovers, and those who enjoy culture, will appreciate a visit to this colorful city.

Do you have one or two days to visit Faro? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is one day enough time in Faro?

With its wealth of sights and attractions, Faro is a top choice for tourists. One day is probably not enough time to enjoy the beach and other activities. You will likely feel rushed to see the nightlife scene, scuba diving and snorkeling, the beaches, and the historic old town. To thoroughly enjoy your trip, you'd need more time, as most vacationers schedule two to five days to fully experience the popular resort town. Nevertheless, if time is of the essence, we have some nice suggestions for your visit.

How to spend a day in Faro

Don't miss the Arco da Vila during your trip to Faro, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. The city's bustling party scene thrives along Rua de São Pedro, Rua Conselheiro Bívar, and Rua do Prior.

The public transit in Faro is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the resort town quite easily and affordably. There are buses that connect the city to the beach, the airport, and other outlying areas.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Faro?

A weekend is usually not enough time to experience the popular resort town of Faro, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the nightlife scene, scuba diving and snorkeling, the beaches, and the historic old town. And you'll want even more time to just relax at the beach, too. So, you'll likely want more than a weekend, as many tourists set aside around two to five days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.

Faro, Portugal Faro, Portugal

How to spend 2 days in Faro

If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in Faro, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the resort town has to offer.

The surrounding waters are great for scuba diving and snorkeing, so spend some time in the water to see nature up close. There are both snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities in the area. It's possible to snorkel off of several beaches or arrange a scuba diving excursion with a local dive shop.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • From Faro: 7 Valleys Hiking, Benagil Cave, & Snorkeling Tour ($58)
  • 4 hour Kayak & Snorkeling Tour in Ria Formosa Natural park ($87)

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Faro, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

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