Faro is absolutely not worth three days it its own right. However you can take bus or train from Faro to much more interesting places like Tavira, Olhao, Vila Real de S. Antonio, Loule and even some of the less touristy inland towns eg S. Bras de Alportel. None of these is more than an hour away.

Faro is not a tourist town so bars and restuarants cater for locals and are therefore open all year. The centre is pedestrianised and there is a moderately interesting old city behind preserved walls.

Bus and train travel down here is about half what it would cost in much of the UK.

If you would like some information on bus and train travel in the Algarve take a look at my website http://www.algarvebus.info

Thanks cubsur, you've kind of confirmed some of my concerns about making Faro my destination - although it could be a useful base to explore the area. Actually the query is not really for me, but for a relative - I've been too quite a bit of the Algarve (apart from Faro), but using a hire car to get around.

Im sorry Cubsur but Faro is more interesting than Olhao.Other places like Cubsur said would be Tavira and Lagos:-)

Hello Sunbear, if you have gone of Faro why not have a look at Lisbon for a few days, I have been three times and it is a great city and makes city break well worth going to.
If you need any info on Lisbon just let me know and I will try to help.

Dave

Hi Curbsur, What an excellent website you have composed its brilliant, lots of information, well done. Cheers Jayjan

Hi Dave,

yes Lisbon would be nice (been twice myself) just the flights limit where the relative can fly into if he wants to go from his local airport. Its only a three hour train ride from Faro to Lisbon so that could be done as a day trip or overnighter from Faro at a push.

I found Olhao and Fuzeta interesting in a different sort of way! Basically not very touristy but still working towns with fishing fleets and stuff.

Hello again Sunbear, Ok so Lisbon is out, here are a few things I would do on a long weekend break to Faro.
1st day I would stay in Faro to see all its site, they being the (Cidadde Velha) old town and Se, a few hours with a coffee round by the harbour, then on to the Maritime Museum next to the harbour. Most be getting on for lunch time so I would make my way to square near the harbour and its restaurants for some sardines and crusty bread and a beer.
From here I would then take a slow walk to the church of do Carmo to see the church and its (Capela dos Ossos) chapel of bones, and then on to the Museum Argueogico the oldest on the Algarve set on a old convent from the 16th century. Night time at leisure, me I would find a nice restaurant for a nice bit of Tuna and a bottle of local red wine (casa vino tinto)
2nd day I would get the train and go east to have a look at Tavira with its many churchs, old castle and nice walk along the river with lots of cafe's, from here I would then get back on the train and go to Vila Real De Santo Antonio built like the Baixa in Lisbon and with veiws over to Spain. If you wanted to you can get the ferry over there for about 2 euros each way.
One thing to look out for here (V R D S A) are towels they are great value even the Spanish come over to bye them here.
3rd day I would go west by coach to Lagos a great town for a day out, old walled town with its harbour, fort, slave market the church of Santo Antonio with its ornate interior and next door is the museum municipal were they have dead things in bottles, lots of good bars and restaurants. so good even Sir Francis Drake came here for a day just to burn it down, there are other place you could go but this may give you a few ideas.

Dave

Thanks Dave,
some good ideas there...I was in Tavira in October...lovely town. You've convinced me theres enough to do for a few days in Faro...now to convince the relative.