Faro Portugal Real Estate: Find Your Ideal Home

Faro is the capital of the Algarve, a bustling city where something always seems to be happening. Faro Portugal real estate has long been an attraction for incoming expats, with dreamy beaches, a rich history, and its quirky, cobbled streets.

Nonetheless, this fine city is sometimes overlooked in favor of other gems in the Algarve. There are a multitude of desirable locations to buy in the sunny south, and Faro is guaranteed to be on the list. Finding a property here places buyers in an excellent position for home seekers and investors alike.

In this article, we’ll delve into what makes Faro such a promising investment hub or homebuyers paradise. Following this, we’ll provide you with an overview of the city and nearby areas. This will include the city’s vibrant history and practical information that you will need to know when buying here, plus information on luxury homes for sale here. If you are looking to move to Portugal, Faro could be the place for you.

Our article on real estate in the Algarve provides you with everything that you will need to know about buying property in the Algarve. Here, however, we will focus on the capital of the region, Faro.

Faro: An Overview

Faro has been the capital of the Algarve since 1756. The gothic cathedral can be seen inside the ancient walls of the city center where you have typical cobbled streets leading to the Paço Episcopal palace. Outside these walls, you have a scattering of top bars, restaurants serving delicious fare, and scenic plazas.

To the south of Faro, you have the acclaimed Parque Natural de Ria Formosa, which is a must-see in Portugal. These unique saltwater lagoons are home to many migratory birds. Along the seaward side is where you will find the pristine beaches of Faro – where you can unwind and relax.

There are a wide range of beautiful areas in the Algarve. Portimão real estate, for example, to the east of Faro, provides stunning properties close to the wonderful Praia da Rocha beach, while Tavira, in the Eastern Algarve, is also one of the treasures of the country. Speak with a real estate agent in Tavira, if you are interested in investing in property in the Eastern Algarve. 

History of Faro

There have long been inhabitants in the Ria Formosa lagoon since the Palaeolithic age. The first settlements date back to the fourth century BC when the Phoenicians colonized the western Mediterranean. Known as Ossonoba, this was the most significant urban center and commercial port in southern Portugal.

From the second to the eighth century, the ever-present Romans took up the banner of the region, followed by the Byzantines and then the Visigoths before the Moors conquered the region. Under their reign in the eighth century, Ossonoba renewed its title as the most important town in the southwest corner of Portugal.

After some conflicts with Anglo-Norman forces, the Moors were finally defeated in 1249 by the forces of the Portuguese King Alfonso III, after 500 years of rule. Their long rule can still be seen with Moorish influences in the city. Following the Portuguese victory, Faro took over the role of administration of the Algarve areas, with the declining importance of the city of Silves.

During the Age of Discovery, Faro was well-positioned to become the leading commercial center. Following the 17th and 18th centuries, Faro continued to expand, with walls built during the Restoration Wars from 1640 to 1668. In 1577, Lagos to the west had become the capital of the Algarve. However, following the 1755 Lisbon earthquake and tsunami that shook the region, Faro became the capital of the Algarve.

Present-day Faro

As the beating heart of the Algarve, Faro is a thriving expat community. With many international festivals, some of the warmest temperatures in Europe, and a historic, bustling town, Faro is a very well-located city. For investors, Faro is a hotspot, with opportunities for both short and long-term rentals. Indeed, buying property here can have some very lucrative returns.
Present-day Faro retains a laid-back atmosphere. Here, locals savor the little things – taking time to enjoy their morning coffee, unwinding on the beach, and enjoying the ample amounts of perfectly cooked seafood and fish delicacies.

Lifestyle in Faro

In Faro, as with everywhere in the Algarve, you will be able to live a very active lifestyle. From watersports such as kayaking and surfing to activities that you can enjoy on land, such as biking, yoga, and meditation, Faro has widely been deemed reliable for finding many things that interest you. You can even try some new activities or sports while you are at it. Indeed, with a booming expat community, these are great places to get to know your neighbors.

Keen golfers will be able to meet fellow expats at one of the many golf courses in the area. The golf courses in the Algarve are world-renowned.

With a Michelin-star restaurant and many fine dining experiences, Faro can cater to those looking for a more opulent lifestyle. In addition to many family-owned eateries, where you have perfectly cooked freshly caught fish dishes.

For retirees, the Algarve is one of the best locations to retire to, regularly popping up in the top ten best places to retire in the world in the Annual Global Retirement Index.

Climate in Faro

The climate in Faro is typical of the Mediterranean, with warm, arid, and clear summers and cool winters. Temperatures rarely fall below 40 Degrees F (4 Degrees C) or above 92 Degrees F (33 Degrees C), so weather is not something you’ll have to worry about when considering properties for sale in Faro.

Goldcrest: How We Can Help You 

Goldcrest is a buyer’s agent that is based in Lisbon. We provide expert, impartial advice on real estate investments and how to buy property in Portugal. From scouting out the perfect property through to property acquisition, we have you covered throughout the process.

If you are looking to purchase property in Portugal, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team of skilled experts is available to solve all your real estate doubts, helping you with the property search and offering insightful expertise and strategic advice.

Why choose Goldcrest?

• Local knowledge: With offices located across Portugal, our presence nationwide allows us to assist you personally across the country.
• Independent service: As an independent buying agent, we do not represent any development or project. Our service is entirely tailored toward each individual client, providing you with everything you need to secure the perfect property at the best possible price. As an impartial advisor on the market, we work solely on behalf of our client and provide a service tailored to your needs and requirements.
• Streamlined process: Our real estate agents speak English and Portuguese, and our service is completely focused on providing you with a hassle-free buying experience, saving you time.
• Experienced team: Our expert real estate team has a vast local knowledge of the Portuguese property market. We have cutting-edge technology and metasearch tools at your disposal to provide full market coverage, ensuring the best investment choices and negotiated prices.
• Network of partners: We have a close network of partners, including lawyers, property management services, builders, architects, designers, and landscape gardeners, again saving you time and hassle by providing you with trusted experts in their field of work.