Faro Airport (FAO)

About Faro Airport

Faro was relatively slow to awaken to its tourist potential. While many of the coastal cities became destinations for the rich in the 19th century, Faro continued looking inward. It wasn't until the 1960s and the rapid growth of commercial air travel that the city began to capitalize on its desirable location and promote itself as an attractive vacation destination.

Faro airport opened in 1965. Thanks to the attractions of the Algarve, it soon proved popular with overseas visitors. By 1989, the airport had added a new passenger terminal to cope with the ever-increasing numbers of visitors. In 2010, Irish budget airline Ryanair made Faro a hub for its planes, and the airport found itself dealing with another influx of travelers. In the early 2010s, the airport underwent a massive renovation and expansion program to deal with the rising demand.

These days, Faro welcomes around nine million visitors per year, making it one of the busiest in the country. Voted Europe's most improved airport in 2012, Faro Airport has come a long way in a short time.

Things to do near Faro Airport

Located only two and a half miles from the city center, Faro airport is about as central as airports get. Almost from the moment you arrive, you'll be able to experience much of what makes this Portuguese city so enticing.

• Stretch your legs on the Ludo hiking trail. Right at the western end of the airport runway, this gentle trail runs along coastal salt marshes and contains the remains of an old salt mine. While not a major tourist attraction, it's a great place to get some exercise between flights.
• Enjoy sun, sand, and surf at Praia de Faro. Continuing west from the airport, this huge beach occupies a narrow spit of land facing the Atlantic Ocean. Popular with locals, this beach is nevertheless large enough that you should have no trouble finding a spot to stretch out and enjoy the sunshine.
• Get in a round at San Lorenzo golf course. A couple of miles north of the airport, this coastal course is a great place to play, with water views and some challenging holes that will test your golfing acumen.
• Enjoy a ride on the ferry from Praia de Faro into town. Just south of the airport, the ferry is a far cheaper and far more relaxing way to get from the airport to the city and vice versa. It connects the popular beach to a ferry terminal close to Faro train station.
• See a delightfully creepy spectacle at Igreja do Carmo. This 18th-century church is famous for its small chapel made out of the skulls and bones of deceased monks. While it's not for everyone, it certainly makes for an unusual and unforgettable place to visit.

Transit options at Faro Airport

• Buses 14 and 16 travel from the airport to the central bus station of Faro. Bus services are operated by Proximo.
• Private airport transfers can be booked from the airport to the city, and taxis are always available for a set price to the city center.
• You can also take the ferry from Praia de Faro to the center of town and back. Although it takes longer than the bus, it's definitely a more scenic way to travel between the city and the airport.

Luggage storage at Faro Airport

Located between the city and the coast, Faro airport is close to just about everything you'll want to do in the area. Whether you find yourself at the airport on a short layover or as part of a longer trip, you won't have far to go to start exploring this beautiful part of Portugal.

Make your trip easier dropping off any unneeded bags at a Bounce luggage storage in Faro airport. Store as many bags as you need to for as long as you like and know they will be secure until you’re ready to collect them.

Activities and attractions near Faro Airport

• Culatra Island: Get away from it all on this celebrated island just off the coast. Culatra is blessed with seemingly perfect features and a lagoon that is perfect for swimming. Reachable only by ferry, the island has no paved roads and can only be explored on foot. As a result, even though it's close to the city, it feels like a very long way away from civilization. Breathe the fresh air that comes straight off the ocean or take a dip in the refreshing water, and you'll see why the Algarve is so popular with holidaymakers from around the world. To enjoy your trip to the island fully, make sure you drop off any heavy bags at a luggage storage shop in Faro before you visit.
• Old Town: Don't miss the chance to travel back in time in Faro's Old Town. Rich in Portuguese and Moorish architecture, the city's enchanting heart is a maze of cobblestone streets filled with lively bars, restaurants, and stores. It's the perfect place to wander and get a taste of the history of this charming city. Make sure you leave your bags at a luggage storage locker near Faro airport so you can travel more easily on foot.
• Castle of Silves: Explore the history of Portugal, including the period of Moorish occupation, at the castle of Silves. Blessed with a dramatic hilltop setting that offers stunning views of the coast, this castle is now a museum that tells the story of the wars that have shaped Faro and Portugal through the centuries. Note that large bags are not permitted inside the castle, so make sure to leave yours behind at a luggage storage service near the Faro Airport before you visit.