Faro District

Algarve

Faro and the Algarve with open arms

Beautiful beaches and the best of summer
The District of Faro, which corresponds to the region of Algarve is one of the 18 Districts into which Mainland Portugal is divided.

The Strength of Tourism in Portugal

The entire district of Faro has its economy largely dependent on tourism, its 200 km of coastline filled with beautiful beaches and cities quiet. Further inland, in the mountains, other peaceful and welcoming cities attract visitors looking for new discoveries in these sunny lands, with good food and some good wines.

Unmissable Faro

Millions of Portuguese and European tourists, all year round, choose Faro District (Algarve Region) to pass Vacations.

The amazing beaches are, without a doubt, the main reason. The sunny climate and hot for most of the year helps a lot.
Furthermore, the delicacies of the Algarvian cuisine reinforce this choice. And, to complete the conditions for a successful vacation and to live unforgettable moments, the nights offer all the options for a stay that makes the district and the Algarve an international destination unmissable.

The hospitality of the people of the District of Faro and the Algarve is a of the trademarks of this Portuguese region. Come and discover the south of Portugal to prove it!

Learn more: The Best of Faro District

Major Cities

In terms of population, check below the most populous urban agglomerations in the District of Faro:

1. Portimão (pop. 41,003)
2. Faro
3. Olhão
4. Loulé (27,506 inhab.)
5. Lakes

Quarteira (25,757 inhab.), in the municipality (municipality) of Loulé has more inhabitants than the city of Lagos (21,029 inhabitants).

Top Summer Places

Not just from Portugal but from all over Europe, millions of tourists invade the south of Portugal during the European summer (from June to September). The beautiful beaches, sunny and warm climate, lively nights and gastronomy that pleases everyone are the ingredients of this successful recipe.
Check out the top destinations in Portugal below:

Albufeira

Located in the center of the Algarve coast, Albufeira is the queen of the beaches of the Algarve. It's also our favorite!
This old and charming fishing village has become one of the best places on the Algarve coast to successful vacations: beautiful beaches, lively nights and a paradise for water sports.





The municipality (municipality) of Albufeira, alone, it represented 11% of the total number of hotel nights throughout Portugal. More than the capital, Lisbon (Jornal Expresso, October 14, 2021).

Portimão

Portimão is another place of dream: beautiful beaches, lively nights, water sports and everything along the coast algarvia very sunny almost all year round.

Algarve postcard
The beautiful Praia da Rocha, a real postcard of the Algarve makes Portimão one of the destinations preferred by both the Portuguese and European tourists.

Lagos

It is no coincidence that he makes part of this exclusive list: in Lagos, with other beautiful beaches, there is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and in Europe: Praia da Dona Ana. The beach is not big but it has been voted one of the most beautiful in the world. It is worth checking.

See also: Beaches of Portugal

Faro International Airport

Thanks to its International Airport, Faro and the entire Algarve are just a few tens of minutes away from the main cities in Europe. an advantage of great importance to the region. To rest, have fun, spend a season or live, the Algarve is one of the most popular destinations in all over Europe.

Algarve, Sun, Beaches and Summer

This is the traditional image of the sunny south of Portugal. Paradise in Europe for lovers of beautiful beaches, sun, summer, gastronomy and quiet life for retirees in Central and Northern Europe. Heavily dependent on tourism, this framework helps but it also makes the economy extremely vulnerable to these flows, as demonstrated during the Chinese virus pandemic.

Gastronomy in the District of Faro

In Faro District, in addition to typical and delicious Algarve cuisine, lovers of good food and wines have the opportunity to taste the authentic Mediterranean cuisine and the refined cuisine international service served in the good restaurants of the south of Portugal.

Find out more: Gastronomy in the District of Faro

Resorts & Spas

For vacations with refinement and excellent services, this is the right address. All along the coast, establishments offer every comfort in a setting of rare beauty, both close to the sea and in a green setting where you can contemplate the beauty of the beautiful landscapes of the region.

Find out more: Resorts and Spas in the South of Portugal

Rough nights

For lovers of busy nights and with many options, the Algarve coast, from Barlavento to Sotavento is the best decision to ensure the success of your vacation.

Golf

The coast of Faro District offers several world-class golf courses, designed with great refinement.
Find out more: Golf in the Algarve

Water sports

Another strong point of Faro is the great existing offer for the practice of water sports, especially sailing, windsurfing and diving.

Find out more: Water sports in Faro

Faro, technological hub of southern Portugal

The University of Algarve has been playing a role in promoting and supporting companies and innovative initiatives to make the Algarve an innovative hub in the field of new technologies. In the implementation phase, an important project aims to boost these activities in the region.

Sports in the District of Faro

Sports fans have a wide range of sports to practice in the Faro District: water sports, golf, horse riding, hiking, cycling and athletics, between others.

Find out more: Sports in the District of Faro

Area and Population

With an area of 4,960 km², the District of Faro (which corresponds to the Algarve Region), currently has a population of 467,495 inhabitants (INE, 2021).
According to the previous census, from 2011, the district had a population of 451,006 inhabitants. In this way, there was an increase in the resident population of around 3.7%.

Location

The Faro District, the main beach destination in Portugal, is located in the south of the country, in the Algarve. is limited to north with the Beja District, to the east with Spain, to the south and west with the Atlantic Ocean.

Study in Faro District

The eight faculties of the University of the Algarve (UAlg), on its campus in Faro, offer various courses and attract students from various countries around the world, especially from the CPLP, the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries.

Learn more: Study in Faro District

Live in Faro District

For those who study or work in Faro District choose the capital of Algarve to live it's a good choice. The same is valid for retirees (pensioners) who wish to enjoy a good quality of life. The fact that there is an international airport in the city adds to the advantages that Faro has to offer.

See also: Live in the District of Faro.

Working in the District of Faro

With an economy heavily dependent on tourism, the District of Faro offers placements in this sector for all the chain of related services. The city of Faro and the entire district offer opportunities for anyone who wants to work. The seasonality of most of these activities should be taken into account.

Find out more: Working in the District of Faro.

Important Events

The District of Faro is also the stage for important artistic, cultural and sporting events and religious. The highlight is the famous Loulé Carnival (image below). check below for more details.

Find out more: Events in the District of Faro.

District of Faro

Municipalities of the District of Faro - There are sixteen municipalities (municipalities) of the District of Faro, to know:

• Albufeira
• Alcoutim
• Aljezur
• Castro Marim
• Faro, capital
• Lagoa
• Lagos
• Loulé
• Monchique
• Olhão
• Portimão
• São Brás de Alportel
• Silves
• Tavira
• Vila do Bispo
• V. R. de Santo Antonio