Discover Self-Catering Holiday Rentals in Faro, Portugal

Enjoy your meals on your private balcony at Falesia Beach B
Enjoy your meals on your private balcony at Falesia Beach B | Courtesy of Falesia Beach B / Booking.com
Nick Dauk

While most people who visit Portugal’s Algarve flock to the beach resorts, those who stay in the region’s capital, Faro, are glad they did. You can explore nearby beaches – including Praia da Culatra – dine at a marina-side restaurant, shop along the mosaicked lanes of the old town and enjoy the nightlife. For a local experience, stay in a holiday apartment or house – bookable on Culture Trip.

1. Faro Central Holiday Apartments

Apartment

Faro Central Holiday Apartments
Courtesy of Faro Central Holiday Apartments / Booking.com

On a quiet street just outside the old town, these one- and two-bedroom apartments balance homely and chic just so. Kitchens come fully equipped for self-catering, and lounges provide a comfy place to flop if you’d rather stay in for the night. Couples fit perfectly into the smaller flats, while the bigger ones can accommodate up to eight. The old town shopping lanes are just a hop away, and you can get to the marina on foot in less than 10 minutes.

2. Cardeal Suites and Apartments

Apartment

Cardeal Suites and Apartments
Courtesy of Cardeal Suites and Apartments / Booking.com

You don’t have to explore Faro on two wheels, but cyclists will be mighty pleased with the cycle creature comforts at the Cardeal Suites and Apartments. Bicycle storage, parking, cleaning and repair stations are available, so you don’t have to cram the cruiser into your studio suite. The concierge will be happy to provide tour information for exploring the town with or without handlebars. The old town and the marina are only 15 minutes away by foot, and the Ria Formosa Natural Park is also nearby.

3. Apartamentos Sol e Ria

Apartment

Apartamentos Sol e Ria
Courtesy of Apartamentos Sol e Ria / Booking.com

You don’t need to stay in the penthouse apartment here to admire the waterfront. The other one-bedroom units are just as cosy, and the rooftop terrace provides expansive views that you can share with other guests. Hop on a beach shuttle, which will take you to your complimentary cabana on the sand. Most units have small kitchenettes, though the five bars surrounding the apartment will deliver what the kettle and microwave can’t.

5. Terrace Barqueta Studio

Short-term Rental

Terrace Barqueta Studio
Courtesy of Terrace Barqueta Studio / Booking.com

Give your partner a remarkable holiday at this self-catered apartment near the main train station in Faro. Morning coffee on the terrace will quickly turn into afternoon drinks as you chat the day away. Romantic dinners and more potent cocktails surround this residential block, allowing the two of you to pay your bill and make a quick exit back to your loft, where you’re welcome to push the two twin beds together.

6. Falesia Beach B

Apartment

Falesia Beach B
Courtesy of Falesia Beach B / Booking.com

These fantastic one- and two-bedroom apartments feel like resort living, with private balconies, full kitchens and fireplaces that’ll make you feel at home in no time. The property also has a swimming pool, although you’ll likely neglect it since the condo is so close to the beach. Indeed, Falesia Beach’s colourful cliffs and long stretches of sandy shoreline are less than a 10-minute flip-flop walk away – or a bit longer if you get sidetracked by one of the bubbly bars along the way.

7. Blue Barqueta Studio

Short-term Rental

Blue Barqueta Studio
Courtesy of Blue Barqueta Studio / Booking.com

A fabulously kaleidoscopic azulejo-tiled facade certainly makes this converted traditional townhouse hard to miss. Inside, it’s been elegantly modernised, with a spiral staircase connecting the open-plan kitchen and living area with the upstairs bedroom for two. While it sits on a peaceful road, it’s also close to the bar zone – ideal if you’re keen to sample the city’s nightlife scene. The more sedate old town is also just a five-minute stroll away.

8. Yellow Barqueta Studio

Short-term Rental

Yellow Barqueta Studio
Courtesy of Yellow Barqueta Studio / Booking.com

You’ll look good in yellow, whether you’re inside this lemon-hued studio or with a sunkissed glow as you hike through the nearby Ria Formosa Natural Park. Another bright spot to this soundproofed studio with a full kitchen is that it’s right in the city centre. Within minutes, you can reach the Maritime Museum Almirante Ramalho Ortigão and snap photos at the marina. Fishing for a great way to spend the afternoon? People-watching at the Jardim Manuel Bivar plaza is ideal.

This is an updated version of an article originally by Leon Beckenham.

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