Delightful Faro is the capital of the Algarve and feels less touristy than most Portugal resort towns. From the picturesque marina and medieval museums, churches and historic old town, Faro is an ideal place to explore by foot. Having a campervan rental means you can enjoy the beauty of the coastline, beaches and Parque Natural da Ria Formosa.
Faro motorhome rental, get the best deals
There are many choices for Faro camper hire. At Motorhome Republic we make it easy by bringing all of your options together so you can view and compare in one place. Just enter your details and see a tailored list of Portugal camper rentals. Narrow your search to find one that best suits your beachside getaway.
Faro campervan adventures are an idyllic way of seeing the sunny south of the country. Enjoy the famous beaches or explore the town’s Moorish roots from the comfort of your own home on wheels. There are two main kinds of motorhomes – either basic campervans without a shower and toilet or larger more self-contained motorhomes. Both are easy to drive and have their advantages. If you’re taking your family to the coast, don’t worry – you can still rent an RV-style motorhome with beds for everyone.
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To the sea! A road-trip through Algarve
In a motorhome you can go much further than the walls of the city. Head out for the day and see the Roman and Moorish remains in the nearby towns such as Estói. Or if you’re keen for the famous nightlife of Portugal, take a short drive away to Albufeira, a Moors-influenced fishing town now known for its beaches and nightlife.
For those more inspired by nature, head out in your Faro RV rental to the hiking tracks and biking trails scattered across the countryside that offer spectacular views over quaint towns and rolling hills. Or travel south from Faro town to Evora, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The best way to see Portugal is simply to travel the coast in your camper. There are more than 100 stunning beaches over a coastline of 200 kilometers. You’ll get to wake up to the sound of waves and pull into any roadside cafe that takes your fancy.
The Algarve coast will take you through beautiful seaside hamlets as well as sprawling golf courses. Parque de Armacao de Pera has some perfect beaches and there are resort style campsites along the way.
Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina is to the north along the Alentejo coast. Parque de Campismo de Porto Covo or the Campismo S Miguel are excellent campsites.
You can travel between EU coutries so if you’re feeling up to it, road-trip through Portugal's capital city and then drive your RV rental to Spain, France or wherever your heart or the sun takes you.
Motorhome camping – sites and accommodation
Campsite Turiscampo is an excellent campsite in Senhora da Luz. It has a pool, terraced sites and plenty of shade. There’s even a full restaurant if you don’t feel like cooking.
For something a little quirky, Tipi Algarve positions itself as a glamping site. The owners Sam and Calvin are genuinely lovely and there are plenty of nice little towns and restaurants nearby.
Luxurious dining – Restaurants and cuisine Faro style
If you feel like a change from the campervan stove, Dos Irmãos is a rustic, traditional restaurant that serves wholesome regional dishes including a seafood cataplana. This is a popular Algarve dish named after the copper dish the meal is cooked in. It’s both Faro’s oldest restaurant and one of the oldest in Portugal.
For a classic Portuguese cod option,imbibe at Se7e Pedras. It’s the perfect restaurant for a romantic dinner, complete with candlelight. FazGostos is an eatery tucked away on a tiny cobbled alley in the Old Town, and has become something of a national sensation- you can find a sister restaurant in Lisbon. The wine selection is extensive and the food is a mixture of flavour some game and select cuts of meat. Meanwhile Bijou is a good stop to pick up something for a picnic on the beach.
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What to do in Faro
Faro offers so much more than just a motorhome pick-up point. It’s littered with historical sites, dating back to a princedom in Roman times. Cidade Velha is the oldest part of the city. Here you can walk through Arco da Vilaalong the narrow, cobbled street, Rua do Municipio into the tree-lined Largo de Sé.
Worth a visit is Faro Cathedral. It has intricate gilded carving and decorated tiles dating back to the 13th century. Repairs and additions mean this interesting piece of achitecture is a woven story of 17th century art, 14th century brickwork and 20th century heating.
Enter the eery Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones). Made of 1245 human skulls and other bones belonging to the monks once buried in the cemetery nearby, this place is creepy, but incredible. For the best views of Faro, walk up the steps in the tower. You’ll be able to spot the Portuguese pyramid shaped roofs (tesouro) on the 17th century Episcopal Palace.
Follow the marina around to Porta Nova pier. Take a ferry from here to the Ilha beaches. It’s about a 30-minute trip each way over calm waters and through Ria Formosa. This lagoon is a nature reserve in Faro where hundreds of species of bird flock to in the migratory periods. The ferry trip is a perfect time to bird and people watch.
Faro motorhome guide
A couple of handy tips for your campervan holiday:
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You can camp free across Portugal. Remember to leave the place as you found it.
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Faro, Lisbon and Porto are the three main depots for campervan and motorhome hire in Portugal. And you can hire one way for extra charges.
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Always carry a driving licence, passport, vehicle registration document and certificate of motor insurance.
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Visibility Vests are now compulsory in Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, Norway, Portugal and Spain when changing a tyre.
