Praia de Faro — Faro Beach in English — is a stunning, golden-sand beach stretching for around 5 kilometres along the southern coast of Portugal. With its perfect blend of relaxation, activities, stunning scenery, and local charm, Praia de Faro is beloved by locals and travellers alike. And whether you spend a couple of hours or a full day here, you’ll immediately see why.
What sets Praia de Faro apart is its location within the breathtaking Ria Formosa Natural Park. This protected lagoon system is a haven for birdlife and marine species, offering an extraordinary natural backdrop to your beach day. At Formosamar, we specialise in Ria Formosa boat tours that explore the rich biodiversity of this special place, allowing visitors to experience the best of this unique coastal environment before or after a visit to Praia de Faro.
If you have any questions about our tours or our range of outdoor activities in Faro, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. For now, though, let’s get start on our local’s guide to Faro Beach!
Where is Praia de Faro?
Praia de Faro is located around 10km from Faro’s city centre by road, making it the closest beach to the city. The beach lines one side of the Ilha de Faro, a barrier between the mainland and Ria Formosa lagoon on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. This contrast between ocean waves and calm lagoon waters creates a truly unique beach destination.
But despite the name ilha, which means “island” in English, this narrow strip of land is attached to the mainland at one end, making it a peninsula. This is why Ilha de Faro is also known as Península do Ancão.
Despite the beach’s proximity to the city and the airport, Praia de Faro maintains a relaxed, local feel, far removed from the more crowded tourist hotspots further along the Algarve coast. For this reason and more, we included Faro Beach in our picks for the five best beaches in Faro.
How Do You Get to Praia de Faro?
Getting to Praia de Faro is simple, whether you’re staying in Faro or visiting from another part of the Algarve:
- By Car: From the city centre, you need to find your way to the road N125-10 heading southwest toward Montenegro and the airport. You pass both before hitting a single-track bridge that crosses the Ria Formosa on its way to the beach. The journey takes about 15 minutes. Parking can be limited in summer, so arriving early is advisable.
- By Bus: Bus number 16 (the same route that serves the airport) runs regularly between Faro’s city centre and Praia de Faro, with a journey time of approximately 25 minutes. During the day, buses depart every 30 to 40 minutes. This drops to hourly at night.
- By Boat: For a more scenic approach, you can use our very own Faro shuttle service! One of our routes connects Faro Marina to Praia de Faro, a journey that passes through the beautiful scenery of Ria Formosa. The ride requires a minimum of six passengers and takes anywhere between 15 and 30 minutes during normal sailing conditions.
Read Getting Around in the Algarve: The #1 Transportation Guide for even more local tips and insights about how to make the most of your time in Faro and Southern Portugal.
What is the Sand Like at Praia de Faro?
Praia de Faro boasts fine, golden sand that is soft underfoot—perfect for sunbathing, walking, or beach sports. The sand stretches for over 5km, providing plenty of space even during peak season. Unlike some of the Algarve’s rocky coves, Praia de Faro is a long, open beach, making it ideal for those who love uninterrupted coastal scenery.
What is the Water Like at Praia de Faro?
The Atlantic waters at Praia de Faro are clear, clean, and refreshing. In summer, the temperature ranges between 18°C and 22°C, so while it may not be the warmest swim you will ever have, it’s still comfortable. And if you’re visiting during the peak highs of summer, a dip in the sea is the perfect way to cool off!
The beach is popular with surfers, thanks to its moderate waves, while the calmer waters of the lagoon side are perfect for stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking. Lifeguards patrol the main beach area during the high season, ensuring a safe environment for swimmers. However, as with any Atlantic-facing beach, occasional strong currents can occur, so always pay attention to the flag system.
If you’re wondering when to travel to Southern Portugal for your break, we think you’ll appreciate reading our blog What is the Best Time to Visit the Algarve? when you have finished here.
What Facilities are at Praia de Faro?
Praia de Faro is well-equipped with everything needed for a comfortable beach day. Facilities include:
- Sun loungers and umbrellas for hire
- Public toilets, changing rooms, and showers
- Lifeguard services in summer
- A few small shops selling beach essentials
The beach here is also split into designated areas for swimming and water sports, including surf schools and equipment rentals for kayaking and paddleboarding. If you want to make beach days a key aspect of your Algarve holiday, be sure to read our Guide to Faro Beaches next!
Is There Food and Drink Available at Praia de Faro?
Yes, Praia de Faro has a good selection of restaurants, beach bars, and cafés offering a range of delicious food and refreshing drinks. From fresh seafood to light snacks and cocktails, visitors can enjoy a meal with stunning ocean views.
Just some popular spots for dining at Faro Beach include:
- Wax Restobar – A stylish beachside restaurant known for its seafood and cocktails.
- Zé Maria – A more traditional eatery serving delicious grilled fish.
- Elementos – This Mediterranean restaurant offers irresistible flavours of local cuisine.
Many places offer outdoor seating, making it easy to enjoy the fresh sea breeze while dining. Hungry for more food-based recommendations? We think you’ll love our blog What is the Best Food to Try When Visiting Portugal?
The area around the bridge connecting to Ilha de Faro is the most developed. This is where you’ll find most of the cafes, restaurants, and shops. If you’re looking for a more secluded walk, simply head out in either direction away from this part of the beach, and you’ll soon find yourself in more tranquil surroundings.
The Best Things to Do at Praia de Faro
While relaxing on the sand is always an option, Praia de Faro offers plenty of activities to make the most of your visit:
- Water Sports: Surfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, and stand-up paddleboarding are all popular. Several local schools offer lessons for beginners.
- Walking and Cycling: The length of the beach makes it perfect for a scenic walk. Alternatively, rent a bike and ride along the coastal paths.
- Wildlife Watching: With its Ria Formosa location, Praia de Faro is an excellent spot for birdwatching. You can take this even further with our Ria Formosa Birdwatching Boat Tour.
- Sunset Views: Stay into the evening for one of the Algarve’s most spectacular sunsets over the ocean.
Book Your Ria Formosa Boat Tours from Faro with Formosamar!
We hope you’ve enjoyed this complete guide to Praia de Faro. Whatever your beach plans may be, you can count on Formosamar to help you explore the stunning scenery surrounding Faro. Browse our range of Ria Formosa boat tours and outdoor activities in Faro and start planning your adventures!
Do you have any pre-booking questions for us? Please just get in touch for the answers you need!
