Faro is one of our favourite places to stay in the Algarve. This waterfront city has an easy-going vibe, a great beach, and is well connected to the rest of the Algarve. That connection to the wider Algarve makes it an ideal place to base yourself and explore the rest of the Algarve with day trips.
We’ve handpicked 10 of our favourite day trips to in this guide. How do we define a day trip? Well for us, you should be able to be visit somewhere and return to Faro within the same day, ideally being back in time for an evening meal.
The best bit? We lived in Faro for over two years, so got to make all of these trips regularly so we’ll share our local tips and knowledge! We’ve also included several suggestions of day trips for people that want to use public transport!
Olhão – A Traditional Fishing Town
Distance 10km – Maps Link – Public Transport : Yes
Olhão is a traditional fishing town just 10 minutes east of Faro. It’s just 10km, or a 15-minute drive. It’s connected by local bus and the Regional trainline in the Algarve so there are multiple options for you to get there and back again!
Once you’re in Olhão, you’ll discover a traditional market town, its twin red market buildings dominating the waterfront. Along that waterfront, you’ll find landscaped parks, and lots of cafés, restaurants and bars. Many of them specialising in fish. One of our absolute favourites is Vai e Volta – a restaurant specialising in rodizio style grilled fish (all you can eat, straight off a charcoal grill). A great lunch or dinner time experience. Olhão is also often referred to as the capital of the Ria Formosa, and it’s a great stepping off point to visit one of several nearby barrier islands!
Like Faro, Olhão doesn’t have a beach within walking distance from the town, you’ll again need to rely on boats and ferries to get the best beaches – a day trip in itself if you’re looking for a full day on the beach!
Fuseta – The East Algarve’s Best Beach Village
Distance 20km – Maps Link – Public Transport : Yes
One common complaint about the likes of Faro and Olhão is that they don’t have beaches within easy walking distance of the towns. In Faro’s case you can cycle, take buses, or even your own car. In Olhão’s, you’ll need to take a ferry, or walk for several km. One of the best villages in this area that is connected to the beach is Fuseta. And it’s a favourite village of ours when we want to spend a day at the beach.
Fuseta is 20km east of Faro, and connected by both bus and train, making it a great day trip for those that want to use public transport to explore. Fuseta is a tiny fishing village that has kept its traditional heart. It has a low-key feel that than many of the other former fishing towns in the Algarve lack. You’ll find cute back streets, narrow alleys, some great local food, and of course some of the best beaches in the Algarve – Praia da Fuseta. A perfect place to experience the calm waters of the Ria Formosa on an incredible beach.
Tavira – Historic Riverside Town
Distance 40km – Maps Link – Public Transport : Yes
Continue heading east from Fuseta and you’ll soon reach Tavira. Tavira is a small riverside town located 40km east of Faro. Once again it sits on the regional trainline so it’s also convenient to reach by public transport.
Due to its unique location on the River Gilão, it blends a historic riverside town, with many of the features of your more typical seaside resort. While retaining much of its authentic Portuguese charm. It boasts a castle, beautiful public gardens, and more historic churches than you can count! Our favourite is the stunning Igreja da Misericórdia which is filled with blue Azulejo tiles. From the town centre you can also take a regular ferry service into the Ria Formosa to explore Tavira’s nearby island – Ilha da Tavira. A small paradise island and one of the best beaches in the Algarve.
Read More: The Complete Guide to Tavira
Ria Formosa – The Algarve’s Stunning Lagoon
Distance 2km – Maps Link – Public Transport : Yes
Faro, Olhão, Fuseta and Tavira, all sit on the edge of the incredible Ria Formosa Lagoon.
The Ria Formosa is a beautiful coastal lagoon with a seaward belt of sandbars and islands create a natural lagoon system. Within that lagoon you’ll find deserted islands, white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and small fishing communities.
The Ria Formosa is a truly special place and unlike no other in Portugal. It’s also been named as one of Portugal’s seven natural wonders. It’s a natural park and a protected habitat which means that its home to a vast array of marine life from seahorse, to visiting dolphins it’s an incredible place to day trip.
Day trip options for the Ria Formosa are equally varied, you can simply take a walk on one of several named trails. You can rent bicycles and cycle along several different routes as well. Alternatively, you can hit the water with kayak rentals, and guided kayak tours. If you’re feeling less active than there’s multiple types of boats for all types of visitors, from dolphin watching speedboats, to solar powered birdwatching boats.
Estoi – A Rococo Palace in Serene Surroundings
Distance 10km – Maps Link – Public Transport : Yes
Heading inland, now its time to experience Just 10km north of Faro, is the wonderful little village of Estoi. If you’re looking for the famed slower paced life that villages in the Algarve often, then here is where you’ll find it. The village is famous for three things, the grand Palácio de Estoi, its Roman history and small Roman Museum, and its 15th Century church (Igreja Matriz de Estoi). There’s also a couple of great local restaurants where you can sample some Algarvean food too!
Estoi is also convenient to travel to by public transport, if you don’t have your own vehicle, it’s also close enough to Faro that taxis are a reasonably priced alternative as well. By bus it takes around 25 minutes from Faro’s central bus station. Estoi is the fifth stop on the São Brás de Alportel route that departs from Faro.
Loulé – An Algarvean Market Town
Distance 17km – Maps Link – Public Transport : Yes
Loulé is a traditional market town located just 18km north of Faro. It’s a small town that even in the summer manages to avoid much of the hustle and bustle you’ll find in the Algarve. The best time to visit is a Saturday where you’ll get to experience one of the biggest farmers markets in the Algarve at Loulé’s beautiful Mercado Municipal.
For visitor’s that can’t make it on a Saturday, don’t the market building is occupied with a daily market – just not the packed out farmers market. Elsewhere in the town you’ll find a great combination of both Islamic and Christian history, as well some great cultural sites unique to Loulé!
Alte – Explore the Rural Algarve
Distance 55km – Maps Link – Public Transport : No
Alte is a small village located in the central Algarve at the northwest end of Loulé’s municipality. The village makes for a lovely day trip, and a good option for those wanting to steer clear of some overcrowded nearby areas.
Alte is famous for its beautiful natural features, its water springs, and waterfall. Those springs feed into a set of canal like swimming pools – so it’s a fantastic place to cool off away from the overcrowded beaches in the summer!
Alte is also considered one of the most typical villages in Portugal, in 2023 it was listed as an Aldeia de Portugal – village of Portugal. In recognition of its history, culture and traditional village life! Alte is also one of the best places to see some traditional Algarve architecture and houses.
Silves – A Historic Castle Town
Distance 63km – Maps Link – Public Transport : No
Silves is the historic capital of the Algarve and has one of the best examples of a 13th century castle in Portugal. Silves is a great day trip for anyone that wants to experience some of the Algarve’s long history, or experience a rural town. The history of Silves is balanced with the usual features of Portuguese life, a lively market, café culture and booming restaurant scene resulting in some of the best food you can find in the Algarve.
Silves has a train station, but it is located around 2km from the town, so you’ll need to walk, or take a taxi. Alternatively, this is one of the areas of the Algarve that you’ll experience a great benefit in having a rental car!
Carvoeiro – Seaside Vibes and Stunning Views
Distance 65km – Maps Link – Public Transport : No
Carvoeiro is a small town in the central Algarve. It’s full of easy going seaside vibes with its rows of traditional houses surrounding the bay. Although originally a fishing village, it is definitely considered a seaside resort. That said, it’s on the smaller and more traditional side and you’ll find authentic cafes and restaurants too.
A short walking distance from the town is the Algar Seco, and incredible area of cliffs, rocks, and stacks. The ocean here has worn the cliffs into an almost alien like landscape and you’ll find some openings and caves too! It’s an amazing area to hike and explore, and it can all be done from the safety of a boardwalk! Carvoeiro is a great day trip from Faro if you want to split your time between a beach and the amazing central Algarve coastline!
Sagres and Cape St Vicente – Dramatic Cliffs and Incredible Scenery
Distance 116km – Maps Link – Public Transport : No
At the far southwestern tip of the Algarve is the town of Sagres. This is where the western Algarve is at its wildest. Although the town is pretty similar to lots of other coastal towns in the Algarve, it more than makes up for it in dramatic scenery, stunning beaches, and history.
Around 10 minutes, or approximately 8km outside of Sagres is Cabo de São Vicente. The area was first occupied by Franciscan monks, and this is where the lighthouse and fortress take their name from – Cabo de São Vicente.
Évora – A UNESCO World Heritage City
Distance 226km – Maps Link – Public Transport : Yes
Our final option for you, and one that is an excellent choice for any wine lovers, or history lovers is Évora. Évora is a UNESCO world heritage city 226km north of Faro in the Alentejo region.
Évora boasts a rich historical background and is famous for its impressive Roman ruins, Gothic churches, and UNESCO World Heritage city centre. As the heart of the Alentejo region, it’s also a fantastic place to discover Alentejo’s gastronomy and its amazing wine.
Although public transport is available, it takes much longer than driving. Both buses and trains will take you through Lisbon and result in a 4-5 hour journey each way. However, by car it is just over 2 hours away and can make for a great day trip. Allowing you to experience some of the Alentejo on your Algarve trip.
A Day Trip to Lisbon?
The fastest train from Faro to Lisbon takes just over 2 hours and 45 minutes. It’s possible to do a day trip from Faro to Lisbon, but in our opinion not often worth it. The time taken to get there and back, and the sheer amount of things to see and do in Lisbon, mean for us Lisbon should be reserved for at least an overnight trip from Faro! Possible yes, worth it? Not really!
A Day Trip to Spain?
Faro is just 60km from the Spanish border so a day trip to Spain is a real possibility. The most popular choice is Seville, which is 200km or a 2-hour drive away. However, there are no trains across the border, and the buses take around 2 and a half to 3 hours to make the journey. This is about the maximum for us for a comfortable day trip!
How to get Around the Algarve?
As one of the major cities in the Algarve, Faro does serve as public transport hub, with buses and trains heading in almost every direction. The regional train line is a great way of exploring many of the smaller towns and cities, going all the way to Lagos in the west, to Vila Real de Santo Antonio in the East. The trains don’t serve everywhere though, and for visitors that want to stray away from the coastline, like to Silves, Monchique, or Alte then a rental car might be the best choice!
Zest Car Rental: Why should you use Zest Car Rental? Zest is one of our favourite providers because they are so simple to use, and they clearly explain all of the expected costs before you have to book. They also offer one of the most competitive insurance and excess waiver packages which mean you do not need to use the company you choose to rent from’s usually expensive insurance. Click for a quote and we think you’ll be surprised!
