Algarve Holidays

Due to the Ria Formosa’s location and diverse ecology, many early human occupants migrated to the area of Algarve. One of the first settlements to arise from the here was Ossonoba, a crucial town during the Roman occupation that developed into modern-day Faro.

The Visigoths lived here from the 3rd century BCE until the Moors took over in the 8th century. At this time, Faro was the most important port city in the region. The town took on the name Harun, which is where the current name Faro gets its name.

In 1249, the Moors’ reign ended with the defeat of King Alfonso III in 1249, when the region became part of Portuguese territory.

The city thrived as the economic port city of the Algarve region, and in 1596 the Earl of Essex invaded the town and captured the library of the Bishop of Faro. The books taken were later relocated in the University of Oxford’s library.

Despite its prominence, Faro did not become capital in the area until after the 1755 earthquake destroyed nearby Lagos. Faro was protected from a destructive tsunami by the sand banks of Ria Formosa lagoon.

Today, Faro has established itself as the primary location in the region with an international airport built in 1965 and prominent educational institutions like the University of the Algarve and the Music Regional College.

Due to its rich art and culture as well as its agreeable climate and location, Faro has developed a strong tourist economy.

The warm months are the best time to spend a weekend in Faro, a historic and attractive beach destination on Portugal´s southern coast.

Visitors can choose between great shopping locations, reading in street-side cafes, visiting some of the famous monuments, or taking a water taxi to some of the various islands and their picturesque beaches.

So don´t wait and book the next flight to Faro before it is too late.