Bart's Best of Faro: according to Liz and Alex from Âmago Casa Lenta
Faro – the capital of the sun-drenched Algarve – feels like a place where everything moves just a little slower, softer, and lighter. Golden beaches, the scent of the sea and orange blossom, and oh so atmospheric tiling in the old city.
You will find exactly that feeling at Âmago Casa Lenta as well. design-led guesthouse, nestled between the mountains and the sea, a fifteen-minute drive from Faro. With an espresso in the morning sun, a glass of local wine by the pool, and tips from Liz & Alex to really get to know the region, comes the life of the Algarve Completely coming to life here.
For team Âmago Casa Lenta, the Algarve is all about the good life in small moments. In this 'Best of Faro', they share their favorite places to eat, drink, discover, and get lost.
Faro city is not particularly large, but the old center Cidade Velha fits perfectly on a postcard. Quiet squares, romantic alleys, and peeling walls in pastel shades. The streetscape is colorful, and that becomes during golden hour emphasized yet again.
Gama Rama Art Gallery
In the mood for some art around you? Just pop in at Gama Rama: a contemporary art gallery and creative hub in the heart of the historic center, in an old building near Rua do Prior. What makes it extra nice: it is not just a gallery, but also a kind of creative workspace with studios, rotating exhibitions, and a small shop featuring work by local artists.
Jardim da Alameda João de Deus
Faro's largest city park and also one of the quietest spots in the city. Jardim da Alameda is a green oasis with tall palms, colorful peacocks, ponds with ducks and swans, and wide lawns where locals come to walk, exercise, or just chill out. There are a few cafes, making it a good base for a refreshing drink.
Capela dos Ossos
Just a little further on, you will find a truly special chapel. It has a slightly different atmosphere, as it is teeming with bones and skulls. This isn't a long stop, but it is a place that makes you pause for a moment and reminds you of the other side of Algarve history.
Where would we eat if it were up to Alex den Liz? At good and authentic restaurants, and that couldn't make us happier. And Faro (and the surrounding area) just happens to be bursting with them.
Ato
Chef Sean (formerly of St John's & Bar Douro in London) cooks seasonal, locally inspired Portuguese dishes here in a relaxed, simple setting. No fuss, but plenty of flavour and a strong focus on the product. Ideal for an evening of good food without the hassle.
Los Locos is hidden away in one of those old streets in Faro that you would easily walk right past. It is a place where they love playing with flavors, surprising you, and creating combinations you don't immediately see coming.
From a simple kitchen, they cook without fixed rules or a strict menu. Everything depends on the season, what the market brings that day, and above all: what they feel like. Vegetables, fish, meat, and a small dessert to finish. This is highly recommended.
Right in the heart of Faro's old town, you'll find a rooftop here with stunning views over the historic rooftops. A lovely mix of authentic Portuguese dishes, great cocktails, and an atmosphere that gets just a bit livelier in the evening. Perfect for a beautiful sunset and a relaxed dinner.
Mall
Started as a small supper club and it grew into a fine dining restaurant that even received a Michelin star this year. The cuisine is creative and modern, but the inspiration is always drawn from the Algarve. A place full of passion, where you not only eat well but also feel how much love goes into it.
Scale
A modern seafood restaurant in Faro where everything revolves around what comes in that day. You choose your fish yourself, and it is then prepared in three different ways. Simple idea, well executed, and we love that.
Bago Wine Bar is a cozy wine bar in the old town for natural wine lovers. More than 30 different wines on the menu and the kind of place where you actually always end up staying longer than planned.
Epicur Wine Bar For wine lovers, this is a real treat. More than 200 wines (mainly from Portugal), a great atmosphere, good advice, and perfect for an evening of tasting and sharing.
LAB Terrace means cocktails at sunset with a view over the Ria Formosa. You really don't need anything more.
Madalena is hip and Happening for cocktails, money and a lively atmosphere. Vinyl records are played and every now and then there is a live musical performance.
Faro Praia de Faro is the closest beach to the center, but also one of the busiest. Understandable, but that means there are lots of tourists, restaurants, and cafes here. Are you up for it? Then try the grilled fish at Dear Mary or the gigantic toasted sandwich with Café Zé-Zéa.
Prefer to avoid the tourist atmosphere? Then take the boat from Faro (or one of the other towns) to Ria Formosa National Park. The Ria Formosa is not a beach in itself, but a vast nature park with islands, inlets, and lagoons that stretches along the entire coast of Faro and beyond. There is an island or stretch of beach to suit everyone's taste there.
Insider favorites are:
Ihla da Armona – you get here by boat from Olhão, and once you arrive, you walk across the island to the sea via the small harbor in about 20 minutes. Along the way, beautiful flowers, cheerfully colored houses, and plenty of 'localsIt's a bit of a walk, but it's worth it: a beautiful long beach.
Desert island – is an almost deserted island where, on quiet days, you really feel like you have your own beach. Go for lunch here at Estamine, the only restaurant on the island.
Fuseta Island – take the ferry or water taxi to quiet beaches such as Praia da Barra Velha or Praia do Homem Nu (Naked Man Beach). The water in the lagoon here is often warmer and therefore extra pleasant. For fish, you can go to Casa Corvo or Café dos Mestres.
Barril Beach – a family favorite, with endless white sandy beaches and old anchors in view. A small train takes you straight onto the beach, right through the Ria Formosa area.
old cacelle – a little further east, and no longer in the Rio Formosa, you will find quiet sandbanks and crystal-clear water. An almost fairytale-like place, especially when the tide is right.
Praia do Carvalho – a small, hidden bay near Benagil (West) with golden-yellow sand and impressive limestone cliffs. You reach the beach via a tunnel in the rocks and a staircase literally carved into the bedrock.
We are sleeping at Âmago Casa Lenta
'Âmago', a rare Portuguese word for 'core' or 'essence' – describes Âmago Casa Lenta perfectly. A place where you slow down and focus on what truly matters: connection, discovery, authenticity, and the beauty of nature.
That is exactly what drew owners Liz & Alex to the Algarve, just like the delicious cuisine and the good wines!
The fun begins as soon as you step onto the driveway filled with white pebbles, palm trees, swaying reeds, and flowers. It is a warm welcome (literally and figuratively) the moment you set foot on the grounds of Casa Lenta – literally “the slow house”. There are 6 beautifully furnished rooms that are fully equipped. The style is a mix of earthy tones with a modern touch. Linen on the bed, terracotta vases, and white and yellow striped bath towels. Here, you truly feel right at home immediately.
Monterosa Olive Oil Farm
Olive oil tasting in Portugal at its best. Here you see how the oil is harvested and made, followed by a tasting (and yes, you are definitely going home with a bottle).
Vinhas de Nexe
A small family run Vineyard around the corner from Casa Lenta. Book a tour of the vineyard with a tasting and a well-stocked tapas platter. Simple, local, and delicious.
Morgado do Quintao
This is also a local winemaker about a 40-minute drive away, where you can have a (super!) romantic lunch or dinner under a 2000-year-old olive tree. Long table, free-roaming chickens, and nice new people. Oh, and the sunset is a 10/10.
Loulé – Is one of our favorite villages in the area. Visit the market, go shopping at the nice local shops, stroll through the old town and the castle. Hungry? Café Zique en Bica Velha They are both highly recommended.
Pop in for a coffee at Bean 17 or a cold beer with it Postigo Bar and afterwards, be sure to wander through the market hall for a while.
For lunch or coffee surrounded by greenery, you've come to the right place at 8100 Café, the little sister of panties coffee, in the middle of the city park. You dine at Cafezique, which has a great roof terrace overlooking the castle. Creative Loulé – a creative place where they showcase international artists in the gallery and also hold creative workshops.
Olhão – In this fishing town, you don't really need a plan. Just dive into the streets, wander around a bit, or just hang out at the market.
Plenty of food indulgence. Relaxed and local at Cha Cha Cha, Basketwork, GNO en A do Fernando (weekday lunch only). Each and every one of those places where everything revolves around good food and good company. For something sweet (and cold) in between, head to São Gelados: homemade ice cream that we come back for, if we have the chance.
From the harbor, you sail straight into Ria Formosa Natural Park up and stays there Ihla da Armona as far as we are concerned the place to be.
Tavira this old city feels like a place where time ticks just a little slower. The Roman bridge, the river, and the cozy streets make it a city to disappear into for a while. In between, you pull up a chair at small cafes such as Ponte de Encontro, Café Formosa en Schist or with a local favorite like Marisqueira Os Filhos along the road. For dinner: Restaurant Mesa Farta. From here you can even go on horseback along the coastline of the Ria Formosa Natural Park driving, and that's something different for a change. And you can take the ferry to Tavira Island.
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