Cover picture © iStock/Istvan Ladanyi
Cover picture © iStock/Istvan Ladanyi

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Nightlife in Faro's downtown

2 minutes to read

Travel Tips For Faro

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Downtown Faro has a vibrant nightlife, especially from Friday to Sunday! The population of the capital of Algarve is very young (mostly due to the Algarve University located there), so, when the weekend rolls in, the bar/café filled streets near the docks get full of students ready to enjoy themselves. But even families can have some fun!

Picture © André Jesus
Picture © André Jesus

There is a myriad of options when going out in Faro; it just depends on what you prefer. If you’re feeling more in the mood to party and dance, then you should go to Rua do Prior. This street is known as “Crime Street” but don’t be discouraged; it used to be its old name before it became the discotheques' most popular spot. It is old and tight street, kind of inconspicuous during the day, but on busy nights it’s full of people coming and going all thought the different clubs.  

Rua do Prior
Rua do Prior
R. do Prior 34, 8000-252 Faro, Portugal

There is another option just down the street, in a small square called Largo da Madalena. Here you’ll also see a gathering of people due to the big LGBT club and a smaller, yet also popular bar (named after the square). The audience is a bit older than in Rua do Prior, and the atmosphere less busy, so Largo da Madelena also serves as an excellent place to sit and talk while having a beer, if you feel more like doing that. On some nights there are even concerts.

Largo da Madalena
Largo da Madalena
Largo da Madalena 12, 8000-078 Faro, Portugal
Picture © André Jesus
Picture © André Jesus

A bit more on the “Sit, talk and drink a beer” idea... Well, that’s where Rua Conselheiro Bivar is best, but most people will call it “Main Street.” In here you’ll have a multitude of café choices, most of them with outdoor esplanades and many with live music. This street really is the main artery of Faro’s nightlife. Young, old, students, families, so many people make their way through the street, some to go to Madalena or Prior, others to take a drink in one of the cafés, or maybe even just passing-by when taking a stroll.

Rua Conselheiro Bivar
Rua Conselheiro Bivar
R. Conselheiro Bivar, 8000-255 Faro, Portugal
Picture © André Jesus
Picture © André Jesus

That’s also a good option; taking a stroll in downtown Faro is something that you also see a lot, from the Rua de Santo António (what is considered the beginning of downtown) to the open Manuel Bivar Garden, and then, either go party, or continue strolling through the docks and the old town, there are more cafés spread around so can always sit and drink a bit.

Picture © André Jesus
Picture © André Jesus
Downtown Faro (Rua de Santo António)
Downtown Faro (Rua de Santo António)
R. de Santo Antonio, 8000-151 Faro, Portugal
Jardim Manuel Bivar
Jardim Manuel Bivar
Jardim Manuel Bivar, Praça Dom Francisco Gomes 12, 8000-269 Faro, Πορτογαλία
Docas de Faro
Docas de Faro
Praça Dom Francisco Gomes 4, 8000-168 Faro, Portugal
Vila Adentro
Vila Adentro
R. Prof. Norberto da Silva 17, 8000-149 Faro, Portugal

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The author

André Jesus

André Jesus

I am André, from Portugal. I grew up in the south, but I live in Lisbon. Whenever I can, I go out and experience whatever Portugal has to offer. And I'm here to share those experiences!

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