Faro travel guide - where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Faro, Algarve, Portugal.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Cork products
Bags, wallets, coasters and hats made from Portuguese cork; the Algarve inland produces cork.
Price: €10-60 (~$11.50-69)
Where: Craft shops on Rua de Santo António
Hand-painted ceramics and azulejo tiles
Painted plates, bowls and tiles in blue and polychrome patterns.
Price: €5-40 (~$5.75-46)
Where: Craft shops in the old town
Dwarf-palm basketry
Baskets, hats and lampshades woven from palmetto leaves, a traditional Algarve craft.
Price: €8-35 (~$9.20-40)
Where: Craft shops and seasonal craft markets
Copper cataplana pot
The hinged copper pot used for the regional seafood stew; stainless and aluminium versions are cheaper.
Price: €25-90 (~$29-103)
Where: Kitchen shops and craft stalls
Fig-and-almond sweets and medronho
Algarve confections and strawberry-tree spirit.
Price: €4-20 (~$4.60-23)
Where: Pastelarias and the Mercado Municipal
Algarve wines
Bottles from the Algarve DOC and regional wines.
Price: €6-25 (~$7-29)
Where: Supermarkets at Forum Algarve and wine shops
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Rua de Santo António
Main pedestrian shopping street of the old town.
Rua Conselheiro Bívar
Independent shops: books, stationery, home decor and vintage.
Rua Dom Francisco Gomes and the marina square
Watchmakers, jewellers and family boutiques.
Forum Algarve
Regional mall on the N125 with parking.
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Forum Algarve
Faro's main shopping centre with a cinema, bowling, children's play area, food court, supermarket and pharmacy. Parking is free for the first 2 hours in the underground car park. A C&A store inside lists 10:00-23:00 daily.
Hours: Monday to Saturday 10:00-23:00; Sunday 10:00-22:00 (individual shops, restaurants and cinema vary)
Mar Shopping Algarve
Large mall on the N125 with a cinema, restaurants and event spaces; regional buses stop nearby but check the timetable.
Hours: Daily 10:00-23:00
Designer Outlet Algarve
Open-air outlet village beside Mar Shopping Algarve and IKEA Loulé, with free parking; brands such as Lacoste trade here.
Hours: Daily 10:00-23:00
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Fixed prices apply in shops and malls; bargaining is not customary
At craft stalls and seasonal markets a small discount on several items is sometimes accepted, but never aggressive haggling
Ask for a price for two or more items at a craft stall before paying
Compare the same cork or ceramic item in two shops before buying; prices on Rua de Santo António vary
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Many shops close 13:30-15:00 and on Sunday outside the malls, Greet with 'bom dia' or 'boa tarde' when entering a small shop, Card payment is accepted in most shops; small craft stalls and the market may prefer cash, Non-EU visitors can claim VAT (IVA) refunds through tax-free shops on purchases above the minimum threshold; ask the shop for the form before paying, Carry-on liquids rules apply to medronho and olive oil; pack bottles in checked luggage