Faro

Portugal

Things to do in Faro:

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Faro Restaurants

Cheap (37)

Agua Mel

A quaint tea room offering glorious views over this picturesque hillside village. Enjoy your cuppa with a homemade cake or pastry, and buy local jams and honey to take home. read more
Affordable (30)

Jony's

This beachside bar and grill stands out from the crowd thanks to owner-chef Elizabeth's outstanding Portuguese-African dishes. The Mozambique curry is so good it needs to be ordered a day in advance! read more
Good quality (32)

Zu Yi

Great Chinese restaurants are hard to find in the Algarve, but look no further. Modern d�cor, harbour views, and a wide selection of favourites, from dim sum to crispy duck, make this place a... read more

Faro Nightlife

Chilled (29)

Intense

For a taste of the East, head to this eclectic lounge-bar. The rich de�cor provides the perfect backdrop for an aromatic tea or sheesha pipe.� read more
Live Music (25)

Oscars

Easy listening is provided on Friday and Saturday nights by local groups strumming out a mix of soft rock and ballads at this traditional British-style pub. read more
Clubbing (29)

Monty's

A popular steak restaurant that cranks up the volume as the evening progresses, with karaoke, live music and dancing every night till late. The perfect way to work off all that steak you ate... read more

This Month in Faro (March):

By Paul Rouse & Kathryn Ayres

Shopping: Top-end store Apolonia has its own made-to-order sushi section and a superb choice of luxury foodstuffs and Portuguese wine. Don't forget to pick up a copy of their glossy magazine, which is packed with recipes and restaurant reviews (Almancil, tel: 289 351 440).

Sightseeing: Some of the world's top motorcyclists will be hurtling around the Autodromo do Algarve in Portimao when the Portuguese leg of the Superbike World Championships takes place on 26-28 March (autodromodoalgarve.com).

Key areas: With its medieval streets and unique architecture, Tavira is the ideal destination for a day trip. Enjoy fresh fish by the waterside, visit the daily market, or opt for the serenity of the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve.

Day trips: Get on your bike with Activity Algarve and discover some of the hidden delights of the countryside around Silves and Armacao de Pera. Bring your own bike for the three-hour ride, or rent one there (activityalgarve.com).

Faro News & Gossip

Vila Joya Gourmet Food Festival, Faro

16-24 JANUARY
FARO

This month, Portugal's only two-star Michelin restaurant, at the exclusive Vila Joya resort, holds its annual gourmet festival. Started in 2007 as a tribute to the late Claudia Jung, founder of Vila Joya, the event attracts the world's top chefs.

The festival's reputation far exceeds its years, having already garnered 57 Michelin stars and over 334 Gault Millaut points. Attendees will be treated to myriad gourmet delights from the likes of Alex Atala, head chef at S�o Paulo's celebrated DOM restaurant, JinR, one of China's top contemporary chefs, and Swiss culinary legend Horst Petermann, alongside Vila Joya's award-winning Dieter Koschina.

Each night sees a different chef serve up the highest of haute cuisine to eagerly awaiting foodies, the meal accompanied by spectacular views of the Atlantic and the scent of hibiscus drifting in from the gardens. Not just a gourmet festival, this is the ultimate luxury Algarve experience. www.tributetoclaudia.com

Faro Trivia

March: The Autodromo do Algarve will double for Le Mans in an upcoming remake of the ultimate motor racing movie, with Brad Pitt set to take on the Steve McQueen role.
February: The Algarve is heaven for food lovers - the area now boasts more Michelin stars (seven) than the rest of the country put together.
January: Portugal has been named in the new Lonely Planet travel guide as one of the top 10 places to go in 2010.