Faro's Best Contemporary Art Galleries
Perhaps the most underrated city of Southern Portugal’s idyllic Algarve region, Faro is a vibrant melting pot of cultural exchange where talented young artists from all across the globe come to seek inspiration. This hidden gem boasts an enviable array of contemporary galleries nestled somewhat incongruously amongst the city’s venerable old streets. Read on as we uncover some of Faro’s finest galleries waiting in the undiscovered, avant-garde underbelly of this historic, deceptively sleepy city.
Galería do Arte Arco
We begin our journey with perhaps the most awe-inspiring setting for one of the smallest of Faro’s contemporary galleries. Set atop Faro’s formidable medieval city walls, the Galería do Arte Arco’s surroundings themselves make it worth a visit, offering magnificent views across the Algarve’s Ria Formosa lagoons. The Arco gallery focuses mainly on contemporary Portuguese art, but also contains a somewhat unsettling collection of vintage toys from the first half of the early 20th century, comprising some 600 artefacts from different countries, including dolls, toy trains and cars. Temporary exhibitions are put on throughout the year, so if you are looking for something original in the heart of Algarve, it’s always worth a visit.
Galería do Arte Arco, Rua do Arco, Faro, Portugal, +351 289 80 1037
Galería de Arte Trem
Artadentro
Although based in Faro, the Artadentro project aims to represent all manner of visual arts from the surrounding Algarve region as well as Portugal more widely. Also located in Faro’s historic Old Town, this Contemporary Art Association was founded in 2003 as a non-profit cultural organisation, committed to disseminating contemporary art throughout the Algarve. With a focus on experimental art and the stimulation of regional work, the gallery seeks to promote lesser-known artists hoping to make it big, so be sure to keep an eye out for future stars of the art world when you visit.
Artadentro, Rua Rasquinho 7, Faro, Portugal, + 351 289802754
Galería Nova Margem
Galería de Arte Exstare
Arc 16 Galería
‘To create spaces of mystery is better than building certainties’ is the thinking behind the Arc 16 Galería. Another fantastic jewel of a gallery, hidden away in the labyrinth of central Faro, this is truly a joy to behold. A light, airy, surprisingly sizeable space accommodating a stunning selection of painting and sculpture from national and international contemporary artists, it organizes solo and group exhibitions and events throughout the year. Past artists featured have included Mário Rodrigues, Gabriel Gutiérrez Vasquez, Luisa Nogueira and Teresa Dias Coelho. The gorgeous selection of reasonably-priced, high-quality artwork adorning its walls makes this one of our favorite undiscovered contemporary galleries.
Arc 16 Galería, Rua de S. Luis 82, Faro, Portugal, + 351 961 529 697
Centro Cultural São Lourenço
Art Gallery