Cheap flights to Faro, Portugal from $273

Faro is one of the more heavily trafficked Portugal cities. As the major transportation hub for the Algarve, many travelers book cheap flights to Faro as an entryway to the coastal Algarve towns and resorts. Those with a few extra hours to spare will find plenty to do in Faro. Packed full of charm and charisma, Faro is one of Portugal’s more lively cities. While it still captures the essence of an old fishing port, today’s Faro is more modern with historical influences blended in.

Take a breather after your flight to Faro and hop a trolley to Old Town for a glimpse at medieval artifacts and Roman ruins. Stroll into the Igreja do Carmo, a ghostly chapel decorated with the bones of monks buried at a nearby cemetery. Save the beaches for the resort towns in the Algarve – instead, visit some of Faro’s museums including the archaeological Municipal Museum and the local maritime museum. Helpful hint: have an early morning Faro flight? Spend a night in the city and hit the town. Faro has great restaurants and an attractive bar scene so you can explore the nightlife and still make your Faro flight in the morning.

Faro, Portugal climate

Faro’s location on the southern coast of Portugal benefits from the gorgeous, cloud-free summers that keep the city relatively cool. High temperatures in the summertime can reach over 80 degrees Fahrenheit, while the average temperature in the winter rarely dips below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal time to book flights to Faro would be during the spring or fall, when the rain is scarce and it’s more comfortable compared to the heat that hits the city May through September.

Best Time to Fly to Faro, Portugal

With mild winters and sun-drenched summers, Faro is the ideal four-season travel destination.

Peak Season: Flights to Faro are packed as soon as the temperature begins to rise for the coming summer. The beaches of southern Portugal draw tourists in droves from around the world, so make your Faro travel reservations early, especially if you plan to spend timein the Algarve.

Off-peak Season: Though the winds of winter cool off the Algarve considerably, the mild, slightly rainier disposition the region takes on from December through March makes it easy to find cheap flights to Faro during this time of year.

Getting around Faro, Portugal

When your cheap flight to Faro lands at the airport, hail a taxi to get downtown. Faro doesn’t have a metro, but you’ll be able to get around easily on foot. Head elsewhere in Portugal on the many connecting trains and buses.  

Faro, Portugal Travel Information

• Nature buffs from around the world are booking flights to Faro to see Ria Formosa, a lagoon that spans over 100 square miles in the Algarve. Ria Formosa is home to a massive variety of birds that frequent the lagoon in the winter months. The towns surrounding the estuary reserve serve as excellent daytrips for those interested in exploring ancient Roman and Moorish ruins.
• The Capela de’Ossos, which literally translates to “chapel of bones”, doesn’t leave much to the imagination with its name, so don’t be shocked when you enter this chapel to see that its walls are decorated with over 1,000 human skulls.
• Lagos, which held the seat as former Algarve capital before a tsunami wiped out the city in the 18th century, is now home to picturesque beaches, caves, rock formations and ideal settings for sunset views. Your flight to Faro will deposit you 50 miles from this stretch of seashore, and bus or train will take you to the beach from the city center easily. If you feel like catching rays more locally, head to Praia de Faro, which is the resident favorite when it comes to local beaches.
• If you booked your cheap flight to Faro for a trip during the month of October you’ll be in town to catch the festival honoring the patron saint of the city, Santa Iria. This is a great event to include on any Portugal trip itinerary for its splendid display of local handicrafts, cuisine, and performance art.

Faro Airport (FAO) is the gateway to the Algarve region in Portugal, a popular vacation destination for sun-starved visitors from Northern Europe and the UK. The airport is small, but sees more than a million passengers a year, and flights to Faro Airport arrive in droves during the peak summer season.

The terminal is undergoing renovations to keep up with numbers, but the current expansion is only due to be completed in 2013. If you’re going on vacation, be prepared for long queues at the check-in area and at the security desks, which are often swamped at peak times.

Faro itself, only 1.6 miles (2.6km) from the airport, dates back to the 8th century and is blessed with gorgeous, hot summers. Take a stroll through the city streets and enjoy the beautiful buildings, statues and monuments.