Top beaches and summer villas in Faro
As the leading resort in the Algarve region of Portugal, Faro attracts tourists in significant numbers every year. With its vast beaches, however, the resort is able to handle these numbers with ease.
Faro beach
The main beach, Praia de Faro, is the most accessible in the area, being easily reached by road from the airport. It’s actually situated on a small island, which is known as the Ancao Peninsula.
Praia de Faro benefits from a number of nearby amenities, including a good range of shops and restaurants. It’s also possible to find accommodation on the island, although you are likely to find cheaper options elsewhere. The lagoon side of the island offers a vast array of water sports and is particularly popular with those looking to hire jet skis. The beach itself is long and golden, slowly sloping down into the appealing sea.
All of other beaches that are found within a short distance of Faro are reached by boat. Ilha Deserta is particularly popular, with regular ferry crossings ensuring that it’s accessible from the main town.
There is only one restaurant on Ilha Deserta, meaning that you are best advised to bring your own provisions, or to make a booking at the restaurant in advance of your visit. It is possible to hire sunbeds and parasols at the beach, for a relatively small fee.
The Ilha da Culatra is dominated by the imposing lighthouse of Farol. Unlike Ilha Deserta, this island is populated throughout the year. The village of Farol boasts a reasonable selection of restaurants, bars and cafes. There are also frequent ferry services from the mainland, together with taxi boat services that are ideal for those who wish to stay on the island until later in the evening.
As might be expected, a range of accommodation options are open to those looking to stay in the resort of Faro. Although there are many international hotels, a substantial number of visitors opt for villas. These beautiful retreats offer privacy and the opportunity to escape from the crowds.
When choosing a villa, it’s likely that you will have very specific requirements. You’ll certainly need to think about the size of your chosen accommodation and there are villas suited to groups of all sizes. You’ll generally pay more for larger villas, although the cost per person can work out to be a lot lower.
Similarly, locations that are close to the centre of town and the main beach tend to be associated with higher prices. If you’re thinking of hiring a car, then the exact location of your villa is likely to be far less important to you.
You can examine services such as car hire Faro before leaving home for visiting Faro and the whole road trip through Portugal, ensuring that you can choose a car that’s suitable for your group. With access to a car, you’ll find that it’s much easier to visit a selection of beaches while staying in summer villas in Faro and surrounding areas. You’ll also have the flexibility to tour the area, without needing to rely on public transport.
Faro Villa
Villa rentals are usually on a self-catering basis, but Faro has a bustling restaurant scene, ensuring that there’s no danger of you going hungry. Local supermarkets can be used to source provisions and are present in most areas of the resort. Smaller stores are often suitable for picking up the essentials.
If you have special requirements, then you may want to clarify what’s available within your chosen villa in Faro, prior to leaving home. For those travelling with small children, the standard of accommodation is often pleasantly surprising. Many villa owners are happy to provide cots and other accessories.
Some summer villas in Faro also have a private swimming pool, but it should not be assumed that a pool will be present within the grounds of every property. If you have any doubts, then it’s always wise to check at the time of booking. Many villa owners in Faro do speak good English because they are used to dealing with tourists from overseas.
In order to make the most of your time in Faro, it’s vital that you should choose a villa that is well suited to your specific requirements. Think carefully about the location and make use of a car, ensuring that you’ll have all the flexibility that you’ll need.
