Faro is a historic and culturally rich city that boasts a variety of fascinating tourist attractions. Sadly, Faro is a charming and authentic Portuguese city. The delightful historic centre (the Cidade Velha) of Faro is encircled by ancient city walls and contains a Gothic cathedral, the Paço Episcopal palace and pretty cobbled backstreets. Outside of the city wall is a modern city centre, with pedestrianised shopping streets, scenic plazas and variety of restaurants and bars. South of Faro is the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, a series of saltwater lagoons and mudflats, which are a haven for migratory birds and wildlife. Along the seaward side of the Ria Formosa are three sandbar islands, and these are the location of Faro’s pristine beaches. Faro is a likeable city, and will appeal to a wide selection of visitors