A charming and friendly hostel in Faro's historic centre, a short walk from the old town and train station. Offers clean dormitories and private rooms in a traditional Portuguese house with a relaxed garden courtyard.
Casa da Madalena Backpackers occupies a traditional two-storey Portuguese townhouse on Rua Conselheiro Bivar in Faro's historic centre, a neighbourhood of narrow streets and 19th-century civic architecture immediately outside the old town walls. Faro's walled Cidade Velha — with its cathedral, bishop's palace, Roman-era excavations and the striking museum of regional archaeology — is a seven-minute walk, and Faro train station, the main transport hub for arrivals from Lisbon and connections across the Algarve and into Spain, is around 10 minutes on foot. The hostel's position makes it the most convenient budget option in Faro for travellers using the rail network.
The building has been adapted as a hostel while retaining much of its traditional character: original tiled floors, high-ceilinged rooms and a walled courtyard garden that serves as the main communal outdoor space. Dormitories sleep 4 to 8 guests in a mix of bunk configurations; a small number of private double rooms are available at a modest supplement. Shared bathrooms are adequate and maintained to a clean standard. Secure lockers are provided in all dormitory rooms.
The communal kitchen is fully equipped and in regular use by guests, helping to keep food costs low during longer stays. The garden courtyard is the social focus during warm evenings, offering shaded seating in a relaxed atmosphere that tends toward quiet conversation rather than the organised entertainment found at Lagos's louder hostels. A small common room with books and board games provides an indoor alternative in cooler months.
A simple continental breakfast is included with most room rates. Staff are knowledgeable about Faro's frequently overlooked attractions — the Ria Formosa boat tours, the macabre but remarkable bone chapel at the Igreja do Carmo, the barrier island beaches reachable by ferry — and can assist with bus and rail connections for onward travel. Faro airport is 9 km away and reachable by taxi in around 15 minutes.
Amenities
- garden
- wifi
- lockers
- kitchen
- common room
Location
Rua Conselheiro Bivar 109, 8000 Faro, Algarve
37.0175, -7.9319 View on map
Highlights
- Traditional Portuguese townhouse with a private walled courtyard garden for quiet evening socialising
- 10 minutes' walk from Faro train station — the best-located budget option for rail travellers
- 7-minute walk from Faro's Cidade Velha walled old town with cathedral and archaeological museum
- Fully equipped communal kitchen and simple breakfast included in most rates
- Staff knowledgeable about Faro's overlooked attractions including Ria Formosa boat trips and barrier island beaches
Tips for visiting
- Ask staff about the ferry schedule to Ilha da Barreta (Ilha Deserta) and Ilha do Farol — both barrier island beaches are within an hour from Faro harbour
- The bone chapel at the Igreja do Carmo is one of the most unusual sights in the Algarve and a 10-minute walk from the hostel — do not miss it
- Faro's old town is small enough to explore fully in half a day; combine it with a Ria Formosa boat trip for a rewarding day without needing a car
- Faro airport is 9 km from the hostel — a pre-booked taxi is the most reliable transfer, especially for early morning departures
Accessibility
The traditional two-storey townhouse involves stairs and the surrounding streets are partly cobbled. The property is not well suited to guests with significant mobility limitations. No lift access.