A magical city laden with cultural and historical wonders and beautiful beaches, Faro is the capital of the Algarve, and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Portugal. The city serves as a gateway to the Ria Formosa, a cornucopia of small islands, beaches, marshlands and canals sprawling across the Algarvian coast.
Faro attracts tourists with its world-class entertainment venues, beaches, natural parks, historical sites, and shopping outlets. It is one of the best cities to feast on traditional Algarvian and Southern Portuguese cuisine and pack one’s itinerary with exhilarating outdoor adventures.
From chic boutique hotels to large modern resorts, here are our favourite cool and unique hotels in Faro, Portugal (in no particular order)…
1. AP Eva Senses – a stunning and very Instagrammable upscale hotel that provides guests with Insta-worthy panoramic views
Nestled by the marina in the downtown district, AP Eva Senses is one of the best hotels to experience Faro’s bustling historic quarters and commercial venues.
This upscale hotel attracts business and leisure travellers with its modern amenities, and ideal location offering proximity to the local beaches and city attractions. AP Eva Senses features 134 rooms and suites, a health club with Day Spa, onsite dining venues, multiple meeting rooms, a fitness studio, and an outdoor swimming pool.
Guests can explore diverse cuisines at the onsite restaurants, including the Mercearia Eva Senses Market and the Harune Restaurant overlooking the Ria Formosa.
- To book, check prices or availability for AP Eva Senses
2. 3HB Faro – a cool, chic and stylish boutique hotel located in the heart of beautiful Faro
Nestled in the heart of Faro, 3HB is a 5-star hotel featuring luxurious guest rooms and suites, 2 onsite restaurants, a Spa, a fitness studio, meeting rooms, and a rooftop with an infinity pool overlooking the Ria Formosa.
The hotel’s traditional architecture, designed by ace architect Miguel Abreu, pays homage to Algarve’s culture, while the minimalist interiors are designed by the renowned designer Paulo Lobo. 3HB offers 11 rooms and suites, and some accommodations offer a private jacuzzi.
Guests can enjoy rejuvenating massages and Turkish baths at the onsite spa, and feast on traditional Algarvian cuisine at the onsite Habito Restaurant.
- To book, check prices or availability for 3HB Faro
3. Hotel Faro & Beach Club – a hip, trendy and modern design hotel which is within walking distance from the marina
Situated in downtown Faro, Hotel Faro and Beach Club is known for its splendid panoramic views of the Rio Formosa Park and the marina. This upscale hotel features refined accommodations, a restaurant, a bar and a sprawling terrace.
Guests can find their match from an extensive lineup of double rooms, spacious suites and 3 units designed for travellers with reduced mobility. All accommodations reflect a keen attention to comfort, equipped with multiple in-room appliances, plush bedding and bath amenities.
The onsite Ria Formosa Restaurant is one of the city’s finest establishments for an unforgettable gastronomic adventure, paired with a magical sunset and live music at the Cosmopolitan Rooftop Bar.
- To book, check prices or availability for Hotel Faro & Beach Club
4. 3Roots Hotel – easily one of the coolest aparthotels to stay in Faro perfect for Millennials and Gen Zs looking for longer stays
A modern space nestled in the heart of the city, the Roots Hotel attracts cosmopolitan travellers with its tech-savvy amenities and impressive blend of urban and natural settings.
This family-friendly apart-style hotel offers fully furnished apartments featuring home-like environments for work, play and relaxation. Travellers can browse through the hotel’s lineup of studio and luxury apartments to find the right fit for their needs.
Each apartment features a fully equipped kitchenette, ensuite bathrooms, air conditioning, smart appliances and elegant furniture, while the upgraded units come with private balconies. Guests have access to private parking and a docking station for electric vehicles.
- To book, check prices or availability for Roots Hotel
5. Lemon Tree Stay – a cute, cool and chic Mediterranean boutique B&B where guests can also bring their furry friends
Situated a stone’s throw away from the Rua Dom Francisco, Lemon Tree Stay boasts a central location in the city centre district, surrounded by historical sites, award-winning restaurants and local boutiques.
One couldn’t ask for a better location to experience the best of Faro, offering proximity to popular attractions like Portas do Mar and Ilha de Faro.
This B&B offers comfortable guest rooms featuring air conditioning, 42-inch Smart TVs with cable service, communal kitchens, and ensuite bathrooms with rainfall showers and complimentary toiletries.
The guest house also features a secured parking space, baggage storage space, and a sun terrace with outdoor furniture.
- To book, check prices or availability for Lemon Tree Stay
6. Le Jardin Secret de Faro Guesthouse – a colourful, kitsch, and creative boutique guest house to stay in Faro
Nestled near Faro’s magical Old Town and the Church of São Lourenço, Le Jardin Secret de Faro is a family-friendly guest house with an onsite restaurant and sun terrace.
The hotel’s lineup of 5 themed rooms features multiple categories, including a Terrace Apartment, Gecko Room, Fourth Seahorse and Turtle Room.
Each room has a unique décor dominated by colourful frescoes paying homage to Algarve’s flora and fauna, painted by renowned international artists invited to the region.
The Terrace Apartment offers a spacious setting for large groups and families, featuring a double bedroom, ensuite bathroom, a private terrace and a seating area.
- To book, check prices or availability for Le Jardin Secret de Faro Guesthouse
7. Cardeal Suites & Apartments – a cool and trendy aparthotel that is the perfect home away from home
A popular choice for travelers seeking home-lime independence and privacy, the Cardeal Suites & Apartments is home to 9 beautifully designed apartments. The lineup features studios, 1 and 2-bedroom apartments with private patios and terraces, including Casa Buganvilia, Casa Camelia, Casa Laranjeira and Casa Rosmaninho.
All the apartments feature tasteful furniture, modern amenities, ensuite bathrooms and fully-equipped kitchens. The main building has traditional Algarvian architecture, revolving around a central courtyard and a colorful centuries-old garden featuring seasonal blooms and a peaceful ambiance.
Guests have access to high-speed WiFi throughout the premises, alongside a laundry area, and a lift. The host is always available at the Cardeal, happy to guide travelers with her knowledge of the Algarve region and its abundant attractions.
- To book, check prices or availability for Cardeal Suites & Apartments
8. À da Avó -The Guesthouse – a laid-back quirky-chic guesthouse with easy access to the main attractions in the city
A family-friendly guest house nestled 700 meters from Carmo Church & Bones Chapel, À da Avó is home to 7 beautifully decorated rooms. This old-fashioned guest house is ideal to accommodate wedding parties, families and large groups, offering comfortable space and amenities for 14 guests.
The ground floor features 3 suites with ensuite bathrooms, a communal kitchen, a living room and a backyard, while the remaining units are located on the upper floor. The interiors are a delightful amalgamation of period-style furniture, bold prints, bright colors and rare vintage pieces.
À da Avó offers proximity to innumerable attractions, including Motards Faro, Lethes Theatre and the Ria Formosa beaches.
- To book, check prices or availability for À da Avó -The Guesthouse
9. Barco Casa Catamarã SleepandBoat – a cool and unusual accommodation that offers a distinctive and unforgettable experience
One of the finest beachfront accommodations to position oneself between Faro’s central attractions and the natural beauty of the local islands, the Casa Catamara is a luxurious boat featuring 2 bedrooms, a functional kitchenette, a seating area and 1 bathroom.
This mobile home is well-equipped to ensure comfort and convenience, offering smart appliances, a flat-screen TV, bed linens, towels, and quality furniture. The functional kitchen is ideal to prepare homemade meals and invites guests over for dinners. The outdoor space offers two sofas and a dining table.
The beachfront location offers proximity to Faro’s best water sports facilities, including snorkeling and windsurfing.
- To book, check prices or availability for Barco Casa Catamarã SleepandBoat
10. Plan Be GuestHouse – a relaxed guesthouse that provides a peaceful setting where you can unplug and unwind
A quirky hotel lined with handmade paintings and creatively themed accommodations, the Plan Be Guesthouse ensures an unforgettable Faro vacation with its fun-filled packages.
The guest house offers 6 rooms divided across 2 3-bedroom apartments, and each room has been painstakingly designed to deliver a unique experience, paired with a series of activities that compliment the unit’s true essence.
For instance, the Be Calm room pairs well with the Be Calm Package, offering a tour of the Natural Park Segway, a shellfish Cataplana cooking class and a boat tour covering 4 islands. Likewise, the BE WILD room comes with an option of the Be Wild Package, offering rip-roaring adventures like an off-road buggy tour and a tandem skydive jump.
- To book, check prices or availability for Plan Be GuestHouse
11. Palacete da Baixa by MY CHOICE – a fully equipped apartment that features contemporary interiors
The Palaceta da Baixa positions travelers in the heart of Faro’s action-packed downtown area, a stone’s throw away from the main retail district and the riverfront.
This ideally located venue offers 16 fully furnished apartments, equipped with all the amenities and comforts one needs to feel right at home. The units are equipped with air conditioning, smart appliances, cookware, kitchenware, fine linens and free bath amenities.
Guests can start their day with the guest house’s breakfast buffet before heading out to explore nearby attractions. The location is truly ideal to immerse in everything Faro has to offer, from the Algarve Shopping Centre and Vilamoura Marina to the Albufeira Old Town Square and the Island of Tavira.
- To book, check prices or availability for Palacete da Baixa by MY CHOICE
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Born and raised in Brazil, Gaby has always had a taste for the intriguing, the off-beat and the far flung. After travelling around most of South America, living in Spain and Italy and then moving to England, her feet have stayed continually twitchy. Studying for a degree in Spanish translation and then learning five more languages only poured more fuel onto her travelling ardor.
Gaby likes nothing better than discovering new destinations and meeting the locals, tasting the cuisine and hearing about the local stories. Her other indulgences include French cinema, boxing, photography, colourful manicures and soaking up the rays on a sun-infused beach. She counts Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Barcelona, Lisbon and Cornwall as her most favourite places in the world.