Car Rental Faro

The southernmost city of Faro is the capital of the Algarve region and its biggest city. It is surrounded by the rich ecosystem of the Nature Park of Ria Formosa and the barrocal natural subregion, characterized by a Mediterranean climate and vegetation. Faro’s history starts in the fourth century, during the Phoenician colonization. The city was ruled by the Romans during the second and eighth centuries, then by the Byzantines, the Visigoths, and finally, by the Moors in 713. Many elements of these ancient civilizations have remained intact to this day, for example, Faro’s Byzantine Walls or the Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria.

The Cidade Velha is Faro’s historic center, which starts from the Arco da Vila archway and encompasses the Cathedral, the Paço Episcopal de Faro, and Manuel Bivar Garden. In this part of Faro, you will also find many interesting sights and museums, such as the Algarve Life Sciences Center, the Museu Regional do Algarve, the Museu Marítimo Almirante Ramalho Ortigão, and the picturesque Doca de Faro marina. Around the marina, you will find many seafood restaurants where you can dine and enjoy splendid sunsets. A recommended tour from Faro is an eco-boat tour departing from Doca de Faro. These solar-powered boats organize tours in Ria Formosa and offer birdwatching tours, kayak rentals, and full-day sunset tours. With so much to see and do in Faro, you will never get bored during your stay in the city. Combine your stay with Imperial Car Rental’s services and benefit from the cheapest prices, 24/7 customer service, and well-maintained vehicles.

Most of the things to do in Faro are located inside the old town, which is surrounded by Byzantine walls. Here, you will find a huge free parking lot, which is very convenient for parking your car and visiting Faro on foot. Those who want to go shopping and visit restaurants and bars will rather go to the more modern city just to the north. Renting a car in Faro means being flexible and worry-free regarding strict schedules and timeframes. Our reliable and safe car hire services are available to you year-round in Faro. Check out our large fleet of cars and choose the vehicle that suits your preference without any hidden charges. The first attraction you’ll come across in Faro is the Arco do Repouso. This was the gate that allowed one to cross the ramparts of the medieval city. It was built by the Almohads in the 12th century to prevent attacks by Christians. Once through the door, you discover a small cobbled street lined with old houses.

The ornate 19th-century Arco da Vila is also situated here and is a famous starting point for visiting Faro’s old town on foot. One of the city’s most important historic buildings is at the heart of the old town, Faro Cathedral (also known as Igreja da Sé). Not much remains of the Gothic structure of 1251, notably because of the earthquake that devastated the Algarve in 1755. The only medieval elements testifying to this period are the portico, the tower, two Gothic chapels, and an interior side door. During the 17th and 18th centuries, many Baroque modifications were made with gilding and azulejos. Visiting Faro and taking in the atmosphere of its old town is better done on foot. The medieval cobbled streets and houses with whitewashed facades immediately immerse you in the past. Are you in search of quality restaurants in Faro and want to try traditional Portuguese dishes and wine? Then consider checking Cidade Velha Restaurant, Pastelaria Coelho, and Columbus Cocktail Bar.

Thanks to its vast lagoon and numerous islets, Faro has many charming, sandy beaches. Choices are endless when it comes to basking on the warm sand and go beach hopping. You can go on a boat tour to discover the small islands of the region, such as Ilha da Culatra, Ilha do Farol, or Ilha Barreta. Praia da Barrinha and Praia de Faro Este consist of a long, sandy coast where you can go swimming, hiking, or sunbathing. This expansive shoreline is perfect for long walks and breathtaking ocean views. Several restaurants are offering delicious meals with a scenic backdrop along the beach.

It’s an absolute must-visit for anyone looking for a tranquil day on the beach. From Faro, you can also book a dolphin and whale watching tour in the Atlantic. Ocean Vibes and Ecomarine Algarve are some of the best agencies providing eco-friendly tours in Faro. Many dolphin species have their native habitat in the coastal waters of the Ria Formosa in the Faro region. You can watch several marine species, including the Northern Gannet, Shearwaters, Northern Sea Petrel seabirds, and some types of fish, in addition to the most prevalent species, which include Bottlenose and Striped dolphins.

Tavira, the capital of Costa do Acantilado, is a beautiful seaside town located 37 km away from Faro. Tavira has a charming historic center and a strategic position facing the Atlantic Ocean and being intersected by River Gilão. Tavira’s main characteristic is its Roman bridge, which connects the two parts of Tavira across the Gilão River—however, the Roman bridge dates from the Moorish era, from the 12th century. On the south side, the bridge is located on the edge of a large pedestrian square. On the north side, after crossing the Roman bridge, you can enjoy one of the most beautiful views of Tavira. On the promenade side, towards the west, you will marvel at colorful houses along the water, as well as a few terraces and restaurants.

However, the walk can also continue towards the East to reach the other bridge that connects the two parts of downtown Tavira. Visiting Tavira begins with a stroll through its historic center, where you can soak up the atmosphere of the city. You will stroll through the narrow, cobbled streets lined with whitewashed houses. The Castelo de Tavira rises its imposing silhouette at the top of Santa Maria hill. You access it by a staircase and enter inside the ramparts to discover a magnificent green garden. Located just 2 kilometers from the city, the island of Tavira is separated from the mainland by the Ria Formosa. You can get to Praia da Ilha de Tavira by ferry from the port of Cais das Quatro Águas or on foot. Praia da Terra Estreita and Praia do Barril are some of the visitors’ favorites with their white-sand dunes, crystal-clear waters, and stunning scenery.

Olhão is another fishing port and tourist city located near Faro. Olhao borders Tavira and Faro and faces the Atlantic Ocean to the south. Monte de São Miguel overlooks the charming town of Olhão, and the islets of Praia da Ilha da Culatra and Ilha da Armona make up its shoreline. The coastal littoral of Olhao is a part of the protected area of the Nature Reserve of Ria Formosa and forms an important ecoregion for local flora and fauna species. Olhao features the stunning Salinas do Grelha, the salt pans used for salt production. These salt pans have levels of salt similar to those of the Dead Sea. You can visit them and even swim in them, but it is advisable to make a reservation beforehand. Near the Parque de Campismo e Caravanismo de Olhão, you will find the restored residence of Chalé João Lúcio, the famous Portuguese author and poet. There are many hotels and accommodation options in Olhao, so if you’re here for a few days, you will certainly find availability for one of the hotels or apartments. Rent a car in Olhão and drive around the town and its surrounding coastal villages worry-free and with the most affordable car hire prices!

Vila Real de Santo António is a municipality near Faro and one of the country’s few cities with territorial continuity. Being strategically located next to the Guadiana River, Vila Real de Santo Antonio was used as the easiest route to get to Andalusia. Its riverfront avenue features a wide variety of cafes, bars, restaurants, and several hotels and apartments to stay in. The imposing 17th-century Fortress of Cacela Velha is situated a short drive away from Vila Real de Santo António and is considered a Special Protection Zone. Vila Real de Santo Antonio boasts several kilometers of sandy beaches, such as Praia da Ponta da Areia, Praia de Monte Gordo and its homonymous casino, and Praia do Cabeço. Apart from engaging in watersports and swimming in the ocean, you can also enjoy hiking and outdoor activities in the Mata Nacional das Dunas Litorais de Vila Real de Santo António. Go walking or cycling amidst the pine tree forest and enjoy nature at its best!