FARO has changed! A comprehensive look at the Algarve's capital
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- Опубликовано: 2 июл 2024
- Hi, I'm Nick and I've been living in the Algarve for over 23 years. Come and explore FARO, the capital of the Algarve, Portugal.
I can help you!
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#faro #portugal #algarveportugal #algarve
Thank you for highlighting my hometown! I moved to Faro in October 2022 from the United States. I love it here. It is a place that is livable, walkable, enjoyable, and the people, especially Faro natives, are so delightful, and patient with my attempts to speak Portuguese. Like you say in the video, there are so many well-kept secrets in Faro. There's a surprise around almost every corner!
What a lovely comment, I'm happy you're happy there. Enjoy life 😎👍🏼
Great that the locals appreciate your attempts many a time have I tried and they either don't let you try by speaking English or just pretend that you are speaking gibberish, even though it is easy to work out what I am saying I just haven't said it perfectly.
Edited to add this was in other towns in the Algarve, I have never spent much time in Faro tbh. I'll give it more of a chance next time
Hi Nick! I like the longer length of this video. It feels relaxed, it flows...it is informative and interesting while also feeling intimate. We can settle in, meet and listen to the people and go along the streets and squares along with you while getting a real feel for the place, it's buildings and food. Great job! Thank you!
Thank you! And there I was desperate to try and get it down to 20 mins.
Hey, Nick. Another nice video. It's interesting to hear Faro folk talk about how it's a very familiar place, not overly touristic, which is amazing (and weird at the same time) as it's the place most of us fly into on arrival to the Algarve - fly in, pick up the rental car and off we go somewhere else. I think they actually appreciate the slower progress towards mass tourism, and, hopefully, avoiding some of the 'mistakes' other towns have made by growing too fast.
Hey Glenn, yes it's amazing and they all said the same thing, independently of each other.
Hey Nick! I got into your channel for a little while early in the pandemic. Haven’t checked up on Portugal for some time, but coming back I have to say the level of quality of your channel has skyrocketed (and it was already good before) awesome work!
Really like this format! We've been in Lagos for a year now and have visited Faro a couple of times. Looking forward to exploring more this year.
Thanks for watching 👍🏼
Very interesting and informative. I'll have to put some extra time in our upcoming trip for Faro.
Keep up the great work Nick
Thanks Larry!
Great video, Nick. We're all ready to come over on 1st Oct for our recci trip. Look forward to seeing yourself and the family then. Will send details when our itinerary is finalised. Thanks for your awesome insights and guidance thus far. See you soon!
Fantastic, looking forward to it, Bryn!
Hi Nick, I've been watching on and off for a while. This is really well done, the Google Earth imagery and your overlays and drone footage are excellent. I also have to say I think the idea about the Castle's is superb. Can't wait, you have me dreaming about my next trip!
Thanks so much 🙏🏼
Thanks guys. Great vídeo. I'm just starting a 10 day Winter holiday in Faro and found it very insightful
Enjoy it! Thanks for the comment.
Very nice video! I do live in Faro since 1.5 yrs but learnt a lot about Faro from this informative video! I am sure I may run on you one day in Algarve!
Cheers Raj 👍🏼
Nick, really great video thanks. I have been a Portuguese Resident for 18 years and it's an eye-opener to see how Faro has changed for the better. One thing I could point out, when discussing all the travel options in the Algarve, Vamus have for sometime now introduced scheduled bus services, eg No 66 and 67 that run from Albufeira/Faro to Vila Real. OK the times are not that regular but for a lot of people they are a good option to the train service as they runs through the middle of all the towns. Anywhere many cheers and congrats. Love to stay in that 5 * Hotel but it costs 300 euros per day!
Thanks for sharing Michael 👍🏼
We're here!!
Absolutely love Faro and looking to plan our next visit,it's very authentic and the people we've met have been lovely, thanks for showing us Faro,if it wasn't for you showing this beautiful part of Portugal,we would never have visited ❤
I'm glad you're loving it!
Thanks for another great video, it's inspired me to visit and explore; I rarely go further than the airport.
You're welcome Gil, so many people do exactly that.
Hi Nick. Let me congratulate you for the great effort on creating this kind of content. Great job! 👍
Thank you João! 🙏🏼
It was a pleasure watching your video. I always loved visiting Faro and its cultural stuff, especially a museum located near the marina, I don't remember the name, but the last time I visited it was in 2015 😅. Anyway, I just wanted to say that I loved your video, I didn't expect to find so much great valuable information and stuff to do! BTW don't show too much Ria Formosa, please it is still an unknown area 😅... Good wishes to you and I'm looking forward to seeing the next video!
Thanks for watching.
What a terrific video Nick, big wave from a fellow S. African now in Switzerland. 👋 We visited Faro just before Covid and found it to be a lovely place, but we missed practically all the places you show here - we’ll just have to visit again! Your channel is excellent, good filming and editing (although I could have looked at those beautiful hotels and restaurants a lot longer!) Looking forward to seeing more from you, the walking tips are special favourites of mine. 🥾😎
Thanks so much Bea 👋🏼
PS Hiking in Switzerland is definitely on my bucket list!
Just splendid and thank you SO much. I went traveled to Portugal after watching many of your videos during the pandemic.i am from Tennessee originally but an actor from New York and never had a passport. I planned my trip in a very no nonsense manner. My flight was equal to my living quarters in price each around 500.00 a piece. Upon arriving in Lisbon I traveled to Lagos and stayed 12 days. I made 3-4 trips to Faro and Portimao and I would hope to be able to retire possibly in three years.I'm sure flying out of Faro would be easier next time and that will be all I would change.I think it was more expensive and that's why I chose Lisbon. As hpu always say the train scenery is stunning and it was, Thank you fine sir.
I only had 1day in Faro. My lunch was the worst meal I had in my 3 weeks in Portugal, but I went to a little island, on a boat tour, and had a few glasses of tasty wine to make up for it. Dinner was better, but I wish I had more time to see the nicer areas of Faro as well. My accommodation was in a grittier area. Still, it was interesting. Oh, huge bugs! 😱 Next time, I’ll spend more time there. 😊
Hi Nick, thank you, very informative as always
Hey Clive! 👋🏼 Thanks so much.
Enjoyed your perspective on Faro.. good luck in your hoofing it from Tavira to Olhao. Keep me posted if you still want to meet in Olhao or I'll be happy to try and suggest others you may want to interview.
Thanks Hank, I'll get around to Olhão and Tavira in a bit. Much appreciated 👍🏼
Can't wait to revisit Faro
I absolutely love Faro & Portugal in general. The people are so friendly and humble. A lot more welcoming than Spain.
I love hearing about the growth and history...My hometown had Encyclopedia Britanicca giving out free land with $120 purchase of a set of books. (HB,CA. in the 1920-30s I think when there were 3-5,000 people living there)
I have Faro on my list to move to, Albuferia, and Portimao! I plan to come for about a month, stay in each, and make my decision
After this video, Faro will be an option for me when I visit the algarve
Thanks for the confidence, José. 👍🏼
*Superb content Nick*
I can’t wait to try all of Miguel’s restaurants.
(The only one I was aware of …..was Eva rooftop)
Thanks Max, that lunch was amazing!
Still top of my list for retirement cities! Obrigado! Nick!
De nada! 👍🏼
One of the options pending in the decision matrix is to be purchase a 10 to 12 meter sailboat and keep it in the mooring field or on the docks. Easy to fund, close to all of downtown and Old Town, yet not a big investment as in pisos/apt or homes. Sort of a oversized studio on the water..what could be better. Thanks Nick for your videos. Been thru Algarve many times and a good choice for Americanos heading to Europe. RH/Florida-USA
That's a great idea. How much are berthing fees there?
Going to Faro tomorrow. Great video, thank you.
You're welcome! I hope the videos help when you get here.
Great video! I had so many bad experiences in Portugal from being robbed to suffering several acts of racism. I have to say that your videos makes me to want to travel there again. Maybe I can get rid of my portuphobia.
Maybe! Sorry for your bad experiences 😔
Great video Nic!!
Oh wow, thanks Jack!
Thanks Nick…while we spent 6 weeks in the Algarve we didn’t get to know this city…next winter we will spend 2 months in the Algarve and will spend more time here
Love the quasi-ironic Radio DJ voice! Brilliant stuff. Faro is a great place both in itself and as a jumping off point to other places. Personally. I like taking the train down to Lagos, one of my favourite places in Portugal well certainly on The Algarve.
There’s a great leitão type bar opposite the Faro station. Served with a unique chilli sauce and a beer you hit gastronomic nirvana in moments! Nada!!!
Great video, do you use wireless mikes in public places...? Sometimes it improves the echo, volume, etc.
Really well done, Nick. I'd been wondering about Faro! It's nice to see that it hasn't been ruined by mass tourism (yet - hopefully never). That's what I like about Setúbal, very down to earth. (I met you for a coffee last July at Corotelo - parts of the Algarve are still in the running for a permanent home, but Setúbal is pretty great!)
A lot of people are heading up there, great location! Personally I love Arrabida, I couldn't believe it when I saw it for the first time.
Yes, you stayed in the guest house along the EN270 between São Brás and Loulé, right?
@@AlgarveAddicts yep!
@@AlgarveAddicts Arrábida, the Sado estuary, immigrant diversity, culture, restaurant scene, proximity to Lisbon - it's got a lot going for it!
Love this Nick!
Hey Nathan! 👋🏼 I wished we had contacted you for this one as well.
Geeze that marina is super nice!
Very nice feature Nick.
Thanks Tatiana 😎👍🏼
I really enjoy your content Nick and would love to make the move too one day.
As a South African, after 20 something years of living in England I can't take the weather any longer. I'm really keen to move to Portugal but obviously language barrier, jobs etc is a worry to my wife. She's a teacher and I can work from anywhere as a graphic designer so I'm sure we could make it work.
I'm sure you could. Try and get her to make the leap into online teaching, lots of scope there.
Hi Nick, just watched a a video with ur daughter on "Expat Everywhere", according to her, she has never been to a medieval festival... if so, you must bring her to "Feira Medieval de Silves" (from the 10th to the 20th of August)
Yes sir, I'll try and schedule it in. 👍🏼 PS She did go to one in Salir a long time ago, when she was pretty small.
@@AlgarveAddicts yeah do so, plus you could make a video. Saturday evening would be packed with people for sure.
Horrors.... 😔 I don't love crowds.
Hi Nick, love your channel. It’s an inspiration. Do you mind if I ask you what camera you use!
Hey there. No problem at all, I just use my smartphone: Samsung S22 Ultra. It's SO versatile, but I have a Rode Video Mic attached to it with a tripod, also GoPro and DJI Mini 3 Pro drone.
Beautiful 🌴🌴🌴🌊
Great video and I really appreciated the history of the place. Faro is a town of contrasts, as you say. The area near the train station is very run down and should be developed.
I agree, that area would be a wonderful opportunity for businesses. Already a few gyms, clubs and other initiatives have started.
Train station areas usually are Worldwide..dodgy..🎄🎄
Hi Nick great video, again!
Faro has been on my mind when thinking about geting an apartment in Algarve. Right now i am more leaning to Quarteira because i was conserned about the noice from the planes. Did you find the airplanenoice disturbing?
Yes, the noise is a lot. When the wind blows from the west they come right over the city.
Great footage.. I wish the names of the beaches and towns were on the screen so I could write them down.
Hi Rose, use Google maps, you'll be able to find all the names of the beaches there 👍🏼
The problem with Faro is that most restaurant, bqr and accommodation oeners don't pay their employees.
It might have changed, but then it never was a sight to behold, anyway.
It's a whole lot better than some towns I've seen in my life...
@@AlgarveAddicts Like in Portugal? Well, it had the advantage being developed early and into the main transport hub on the Algarve.
I came to Olhao 17 years ago and what they have done with the town up until it was discovered by me, the tourist locust and the Real Estate market a few years back is an abomination. Instead of making it a visitor-friendly town with lots of space for pedestrians and cyclists as well as a real home for the locals they have rebuilt the main road in cobblestone no biker can comfortably use (while leaving the infrastructure upwards from the sea in utter ruin or lagging way behind any efforts downtown), stamped hundreds and hundreds of parking lots as well as luxury apartments (and more hotels to come) at the sea front out of the ground. Olhao was better off before we came and ruined it. Yes, despite the commerce and work opportunity we brought. Cause in a few years the boom will be over, all houses renovated and sold, all locals living in the suburbs, prices getting sky high. And I suspect once the foreigners realize there are no more Portuguese or pittoresque places to photograph for their FB album they might just abandon it completely and be off to new grazing grounds. I know part of it is how the world works, but you don't necessarily have to accelerate it, either.
For me, the Top 3; Faro, Tavira and Lagos!
Hello Nick
We stayed in Faro for a week pre lockdown/Covid. Great restaurants and historic sites, the downside was graffiti everywhere. The water taxis are horrendously expensive. Better to take the train from Faro to Olhau or Fuseta to have a day on the lagoon/ beaches . The Algarve trains are very cheap.
Thanks for sharing. The ferries are a much cheaper option 👍🏼 I was also expecting a lot more graffiti but it appears to be a little better now (maybe I'm numb to it).
@@AlgarveAddicts To clarify:- water taxi from Faro- ridiculously expensive. Same thing from above mentioned other resorts much cheaper, agreed ferry cheapest but when in Fuzeta water taxi took us for half price because no one was using it! Used train from Tavira to Spain earlier this year. Ferry to Ayamonte again cheap as can be. Just thought I’d share.
I didn’t know Eva had a steakhouse!
I visited Faro recently for the first time and I really enjoyed my few days there. However I was a bit surprised by the sheer amount of random graffiti in the town centre, it felt like almost every wall and surface had been tagged which was a real pity (and there were so many smashed windows in what looked like empty buildings as well).
Yup, it's definitely not the tidiest town in the world. Strangely, when you've been in Portugal for a while, it becomes easier to overlook. Where are you comparing it to?
Hi Nick, how disturbing is the sound of airplanes if one lives there? Is it a constant noise?
I'm not sure, I don't live there but I used to work there and it's amazing how quickly you get used to things like that. It's a city, there is often noise in a city, but there are many more moments of peace and quiet in Faro than other larger cities.
I rented an apartment from a small real estate agency and after giving my move out date, I came back to the apartment to find that I was being robbed by the real estate agent. When I tried to call the police and intervene, I was attacked. This may be more common than known because the police department was relatively unconcerned. They seemed bothered that they would have to write out a report. Do you have suggestions on how to get results from such issues. I was told nothing will be done and I will never get any of the stolen money back much less any other loss such as stolen phone, etc.
Sorry, that sounds terrible. I'd contact a lawyer if I were you...
Do you know if there are any long term liveaboard boat rentals at the marina? Or a contact info regarding this?
All the boats in the marina look too small to live aboard. Maybe try and send an email to Bruno www.iseacharter.com
@@AlgarveAddicts thanks. Do you know anybody from the other Marinas that I could also contact? Like Vilamoura, etc..., where they have bigger boats.
I'd be curious to find out actually, the only time I have seen live a hard boats is in the Parque das Nações marine up in Lisbon. Send us a message, maybe we can help you www algarveaddicts.com/contact
Very nice video thanxs! The guy selling his bar is a racist : “good point a lot of Portugese people are here so you do not other aliens!!! Very strange
Hi nick,my wife and I are looking at moving to small village in algarve to renovate a house ,any recommendations on the best villages
I think it's more about finding a region where you're happy and searching the villages for a property. I'd recommend a scouting trip and a day tour with us to figure it all out.
I will be in touch soon,thank you so much
Is everything open on Christmas Day ? Can you eat out? Or is it all closed?
In Faro some places will be open, not all though.
Hello
I'm interested in either purchasing or longterm renting property in Algarve
I am Canadian but my parents are of Portuguese citizenship
I am currently looking into applying for Portuguese citizenship
Looking to retire in Portugal for 6 months of the year, in Algarve area
Where is the cheapest quiet area of Algarve to enjoy beaches and hiking..walking nature areas?
What is the weather there in Mid October? Thanks!
Pretty hot right now. Unusually so. Are you visiting Tania?
@@AlgarveAddicts hi yes, next weekend!:))
I just returned from Faro two days ago. Forst time visiting Portugal, and i did not enjoy my time here at all unfortunately. There could be a number of kther variables for that, but id like yo comment non the less for balance if i may.
What surprised me, was with all the sailing and discovering the Portuguese sailers achieved, and some of their historical significance, there was no real monuments, or architecture, or pride in anything i found. The main city was extremely run down. Lots of derelict buildings and no real effort put in to supporting tbeir infrastructure. I fidnt find the people particularly friendly, but they were not unfriendly either. Now the nost important oart for me. When i travel, i pride myself in finding local authentic restaurants. Usually family run places if possible with history of food. I was not impressed what so ever. There are restaurants and we tried two separate ones, and absolutely nothing excited me about the options and the food was just mediocre.
Absolutely beautiful beaches surrounding though. I cant deny that. I am sorry i just found it flat,
Not very impressive and fely no one really cared that much. Drivers are very safe felt easy on yhe roads there. Cooked for myself rest of the week and wnjoyed the veach and sun and a good book.
Side note, i found it wuite amusing the gentleman was discussing celebrating architecture in this city. The architecture generally is very dull. There are a number of buildings i did see that looked almost art defo anf they could be so cool, but they have been left derelict and in decay. Case and point
One restaurant everyone should try in Faro is Alameda !
Tasting menu with wine pairing… but affordable ❤
I just happened on the 3HB hotel the last time I was in Faro and decided to have lunch ....horrible food. Very disappointing as the hotel is beautiful.
Wow, how can food be that horrible? My business partner, Nick Smith, had dinner there and said it was one of the best meals he's ever had.
@@AlgarveAddicts Ok?? One Pro and One Con...I won't be going back
Faro, my home after Durban.
Congrats! When did you settle?
Yes mate big aeroporto hahaha
Faro has changed? Great! You do business there so you have quite a special look, let’s say an interesting view full of interests in real state selling.I have been knowing the Algarve from Tavira to Faro since 1984 and can tell you what I see is chaos, same infrastructure as 40 years ago and decomposition of streets and lot of houses (of course some places have involved but try to see the whole). I was there right now till yesterday so I can overview 40 years of Algarve and what I see is old people with rotten clothes, never ending construction sites and few really helpful investments for tourists. If you need a doctor in the Algarve, you should rather look for the next flight home! What really frightens me are the tourists on electric bikes - they are all in risks of death because - except of very few exceptions -there are no separate roadways for cyclists. They cycle all on the streets and on the highway N125.
Hey Volker, it sounds like you need a change. Maybe Faro isn't for you anymore. To be honest, Faro HAS changed a lot in the last ten years. It's still not a wonderful first world town, but it's definitely better than it was. Maybe a dash of positivity with your morning coffee might help your outlook on life.
@@AlgarveAddicts Well, there is nothing wrong with my morning coffee I can assure you that! And I am an extreme positive person, but the way I look is quite different from how you look, because you are interested-guided. You want to sell, you want to make that people come to your business and buy what you are offering. From this point of perspective, it’s understandable that you only show the beauties and not the bad things. I am not in any business involved and I see what I see, and I see it with my all of my senses not only with pink glasses and as I speak fluently Portuguese, I talk to portuguese people young and old what are they needs and what is wrong, what should be better and what could be better - so don’t make me laugh . P.S. In my holidays from first of April until 15th April 24, I traveled nearly 2000 km through landscape and villages - so my evaluation and statement is not for Faro but refers to the whole Algarve. And I’ve read newspaper every morning DN and the Correio da manhã , and from there, I got the notion that there is still a lot of corruption in Portugal. A lot of things have changed yes but for sure not only for the good and better. After a first investment - building or road / street etc. it falls all into decomposition, because a “maintenance mentality” nor sustainability mentality does not exist, never existed anyway. And I did let’s say all this research because I wanted to find out if it is worthwhile to live in the Algarve and my answer is a decisive: no! I will explain later why.
Heheh, wow, that really wound you up 😂 Yes of course there are problems, like there are in any country. I just prefer these problems to the problems we had back in South Africa. Life is often the way you look at things. Look for opportunity and it'll come. Look for pain and misery and you'll find it. Let's be part of the solution.
@@AlgarveAddicts Hi there, why don´t you write something critical for example about the actual situation with all the worker immigrants from Nepal? There are thousands of them. They work for very low money. Do they get support from the local goverments or entrepeneurs to learn portuguese? I did not meet a single nepalesian who wer able to speak portuguese, even among those who are there for almost 1 year or more. For it seems to me like a new form of slavery (do I exaggerate?). I spoke to one restaurant owner in Tavira (Sr. Romba). He has one nepalesian man in the kitchen (no portuguese knowledge at all) and the other one in the service seems to understand at least some words in portuguese or even english. When I asked him "what do you do to improve his language skills"? The answer simply was: "he learns with me in the restaurant". He is only interested that he works there for 10 to 12 hours and that´s it. This reflects also something about portuguese mentality for the good or the bad that no one is interested what the private situation of his worker is.
Thanks for the suggestion Volker, but I'm not really an investigative journalist, I'm just making fun videos on RUclips. 👍🏼
Will take a long time to change.. one of the ugliest cities in Portugal..