Faro, Portugal. Gateway to The Algarve
A popular destination for sun-seekers from northern Europe and the UK, Faro has a reputation as being an overrun party beach town for much of the year. Visitors who use it as a base to explore the more remote areas of the Algarve in the off-season will experience much more of what southern Portugal has to offer; but those looking for no more than a tan and cocktails won't be disappointed. In winter, it is a beautiful, peaceful corner of Southern Europe with plenty of sun bleaching the white-washed town with colonial and Moorish-influenced architecture. The people are more friendly than other parts of Europe. Many speak a bit of English, but are very appreciative of any attempts at Portuguese.
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To and from Faro airport
There is no rail link at Faro airport but once in Faro, the train station is on the Avenida da República. Trains to Lisbon take 3 to 4 hours.
Somewhere to stay on the Algarve
Accommodation in the Algarve ranges from high rise resorts in places like Albufeira to traditional guesthouses, located in the small towns and villages surrounding the algarve coast. Over the past 50 years the Algarve has seen an increase in development, particularly from non-Portuguese developers. While these developments are certainly not on the same level as those in Spain, they have resulted in visual pollution which has affected residents living in the area. Over the past few years many tourists visiting the Algarve have moved away from the resorts, and have chosen the comfort of a traditional Algarve guesthouse, many of these run by ex-pats from England, Holland, and Germany who have escaped to the Algarve for a quieter life.