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This post will share how I spent 48 hours in Faro, Portugal.
To end my travel hiatus, I decided to head back down to the Algarve in Southern Portugal.
After the busy months I’ve had and am currently having, I wanted something slow and stress-free.
I also didn’t want to be overwhelmed with many attractions.
While I didn’t necessarily want a beach holiday, I wanted more of a city break, preferably in the sun.
Thankfully, the Algarve provided a bit of both: a city break in a coastal region.
Naturally, I planned to bask in the sun as much as possible because winter came early in England.
Only for me to check the weather on the week before my trip to see rainfall.
I was so upset.
Now I had to pack for rain as well.
This is a friendly reminder to always check the weather before packing.
Don’t assume there will be no rain or wind because it is still warm and sunny.
Thankfully, I could enjoy some sunshine before the rain tried to ruin it.
This was my third time in Portugal, with my first and second being in Porto and Lisbon, respectively.
This year, I decided to skip the crowds and inflated prices that came with a European Summer.
There’s no reason I have to deal with an unbearable heatwave while spending double the amount when I could wait until September and October, when all the crowds have disappeared.
So, I stayed home from July to September, which was a solid decision because Faro was as empty as possible.
Aside from the brief rain, the weather was generally lovely, and the prices were consistently low.
In my books, that sounds like a 10/10.
Overall, the trip was exactly what I needed after a brief hiatus, and I’m ready to share all the details.
Here’s How To Spend 48 Hours in Faro Portugal On A Budget As A Solo Traveller
Faro is a city in the Algarve region of Southern Portugal.
The Algarve is a popular holiday destination with many activities and adventures, including some of Europe’s stunning beaches.
Naturally, visiting the Algarve means having the most fun beach holiday.
But what if you don’t necessarily want a beach holiday like me?
Can you still visit?
Yes, absolutely.
While the Algarve comprises seaside towns and cities, not all have beaches nearby.
Faro is one of them.
It is the capital city of the Algarve region, and while it doesn’t have a beach, it still has a stunning coastline that is perfect for an evening stroll.
I had planned to visit Faro, Lagos and Albufeira, but I changed my mind at the last minute because I didn’t have enough time to see all three adequately, so I just stayed in Faro.
I’ve been under quite a lot of stress for a while now, and I just needed that break.
So, as unadventurous as Faro was, it was serene enough for me.
Flights
Easyjet Return – £86
I took an evening flight from Manchester Airport to Faro International Airport, which took about two hours and a few minutes.
Despite the delayed flight, we arrived at Faro before 11 p.m. but still got delayed at Passport Control.
When I finally got through, I had to find my way to the bus stop to catch a 20-minute bus to my hotel.
On my way back, we got unnecessarily delayed again at Passport Control because of inadequate staff.
The scanners at Security were so old that I had to take off everything down to my earrings.
Also, there were no sockets at all in the seating areas.
Faro International Airport is easily one of the worst airports I had to pass through.
Airport Transfer
Single one-way bus ticket: €2.50
Uber/Bolt: €6
While navigating the Arrivals, I saw the bus I was supposed to enter pass in front of me.
I had missed it, and the next one was in the next twenty minutes.
There was no way I was waiting for that.
So, I compared the prices for an Uber and Bolt, and Bolt came out cheaper.
The pleasant driver arrived in about five minutes, and I was en route to my hotel.
One of my favourite things about Faro is how close the airport is to the city centre.
It’s a 10 – 15 minute drive or a twenty-five-minute bus ride.
Accommodation
Three nights: €210
Sometime last year, I stopped staying at hostels for my short-term trips because I realized I wasn’t getting enough sleep and getting home tired.
While I love the affordability of hostels, I work full-time and need all the rest I can get.
So, hostels are on pause for me for now until I embark on a long-term trip.
The only problem is I now have to spend a bit more on double/twin rooms.
So far, I’ve only been able to get a single room in Vienna.
Talk about the single tax.
I found this chic modern hotel, Dear Faro Guest House, on Booking.com.
It ticked all my boxes, and after reading adequate reviews to my satisfaction, I booked a reservation.
This became one of the most innovative hotels I’ve been to, which takes contactless self-service to a whole new level.
After checking in online, you’ll be emailed a code for the entrance and your room.
I forgot to check in online, so I had to do it at the entrance when I couldn’t access the door.
I thought I would be able to check in with a member of staff at the reception like I typically do sometimes.
Turns out, there was no reception, and neither were there staff members.
I loved not dealing with people, but I kept thinking, what if I had an emergency?
I kept fiddling with code a few times until it finally worked.
The room was clean, tidy and spacious, with tasteful decor.
I would have also preferred a coffee machine in the room, but I didn’t.
Fortunately, my room was right in front of the kitchen on the floor.
(No, it wasn’t noisy)
I didn’t see any staff member until I went to work on the patio while also taking a tour of the rooftop terrace.
Despite its uniqueness, I loved my stay and will stay again when I return to Faro.
It’s right in the city centre and close to everything, including the bus and train station, which is perfect if you want to use Faro as your base.
Did I mention how tranquil the hotel was as well?
Honestly, nothing beats off-season travel.
Moving Around Faro, Portugal
The beauty of staying in the city centre is that you can go everywhere on foot, which is precisely what I did.
Public buses are everywhere, but you probably wouldn’t need them except if you’re visiting a nearby town.
It is also crucial to remember Faro is not a cosmopolitan city, so you need to carry cash for your bus tickets.
Meals & Eating Out
There are many cafes and restaurants around where you can get cheap meals.
Ensure you’re budgeting about €5 – 10 for breakfast/brunch at a cafe and around €10 – 15 for a meal at a restaurant if you’re on a budget.
You can find many delicacies, including Portuguese, Indian, Japanese, and Chinese food everywhere.
Just search Google Maps based on your budget and location.
Also, if you can’t be bothered to leave your hotel, Uber Eat works, too.
Must See Attractions In Faro, Portugal
While I would have loved to lounge at my hotel all day, I decided to see what the city offered aside from the stunning coastline.
Thankfully, it wasn’t much so that I could see most of the city centre in one day.
The must-see attractions include:
- Church of the Third Order of Our Lady of Monte de Carmo: an 18th-century Catholic Church built out of the bones and skulls of monks.
- Igreja Matriz de São Pedro: 16th -century Baroque Church
- Museu Regional do Algarve: The Algarve Ethnographic Museum showcases the region’s paintings, artefacts, crafts & furniture.
- Faro Marina: The scenic marina is perfect for watching the sunset or taking an evening stroll.
- Jardim Manual Bivar: A quaint, peaceful garden near the Faro Marina, perfect for relaxing.
- Arco da Villa: An iconic archway which leads to the remains of the Faro Old Town.
- Santa Maria Cathedral: An iconic 13th-century Catholic Church where you can climb to the top of the tower to get a view of Faro’s skyline. It’s worth it if the weather is excellent.
- Municipal Museum of Faro: An 18th-century former convent turned museum housing prehistoric, Roman and medieval periods.
- Algarve Life Sciences Center: A science/natural history museum that is great for the kids.
Combining the handful of attractions with roaming around the narrow, cobbled streets makes for the perfect serene getaway.
In Conclusion
Although I had to call in sick to work when I got home, this trip to Faro, Portugal, was the perfect city break.
I’m looking forward to returning and fully exploring the Algarve.