Complete Faro Surfing Guide – Top Spots, Beaches & More
The cobbled lanes and cantinas of the Cidade Velha of old Faro town instantly let you know that you’ve discovered one of the more authentic corners of the Algarve.
Further east than the resorts of Albufeira, this is a place where the beaches are quieter and the waves – thankfully – are emptier.
A car is a must to find the best of them. Having your own wheels can take you out to the beaches of Fuzeta or Praia da Falesia. They are known primarily for their light and welcoming beach breaks. And if that sounds like it’s a beginner’s heaven, that’s because this part of Portugal kinda’ is.
In fact, Faro, being sat in this rather sheltered corner of the otherwise swell-sucking Algarve, is home to some of the mushiest and most forgiving waves the country has to offer. Come summer, the downside is that it can be flatter than a giant flat thing basically all season long.
It’s easy to get to, though. The main Algarve Airport (or Faro Airport) is served by countless direct flights from all over Europe. And it’s close to the beaches and breaks. You could touchdown and be checking into a surf school in as little as 20 minutes.
If you’re wondering what we really think of the Faro region as a surf destination, let’s put it like this: Don’t come solely for the waves. If you want an out-and-out surf trip there are better options in Portugal (Sagres and Peniche come to mind – and they aren’t that far away from here).
But, if you’re keen to swim, sunbathe and enjoy good seafood between the odd beginner surf lesson, Faro surfing could be for you!
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
>>This is a part of our greater guide to surfing Portugal
Faro surf at a glance
The good:
- Not so busy as the western Algarve
- Lovely warm water
- Stunning beaches
The bad:
- Not much variety
- Not really a surf destination in its own right
- Can be flat as a pancake in the summer
- A little touristy around the resort areas
Where to surf in Faro?
Praia de Faro
This should be the number one spot on the radar if you’re basing your surf trip in Faro town itself.
A short 15-minute drive from the centre through the lagoon (which is really beautiful), it’s a long beach break that seems to go on and on forever.
The wave quality is basically beginners only, except on the largest of days when a north wind combos up with the biggert swells. When that does happen, then it can turn into a fun beach break with some punchy walls that do peel.
Anything from 2-3ft is rare but good here. Peaks vary considerably, although it’s mostly mushy stuff that’s fun to ride. A few wedges are nice A-frames that work consistently throughout the winter months, but all really depends on what the sandbanks are doing.
Really, the best part is that there’s over 5km of beachfront in total – you can easily find a place to be alone.
It’s completely sand underfoot, too, which is nice for learners.
Praia da Falesia
Praia da Falesia is a stunning sand beach that’s close to the popular golf and holiday resort of chic Vilamoura, something like 20 minutes drive west of Faro itself.
At its westernmost end is a manmade harbour wall jetty that creates one of the best left-handers in the south Algarve when enough swell kicks through to get it working.
It’s a sand-bottomed break that works nicely on 3ft+. Expect the shape to be wedge like and offer short rights but longer rippable lefts.
Water is clean. Usually uncrowded.
Fuzeta Beach (Fuseta)
The main beach to the east of town is Fuzeta. It actually fringes a barrier island just across the lagoon. Most choose to take the ferry from the downtown pier to get there. The only question is whether you think it’s worth it.
Fuzeta Beach is more sheltered than its neighbors in Praia de Faro and Vilamoura, which are already really sheltered.
If everywhere else is small, it’s likely to be tiny or non-existent, so only worth checking if there’s HUGE swell kicking through from the NW or something trickling up from the SW that might angle around the lagoon.
TL;DR – Can work, but super-rare. All beach break. Usually beginners.
When to surf in Faro?
The autumn kickstarts the peak season in Faro, and it continues through until around March. The key is to get those heavy winter swells – the ones that can wrap around and work on the south-facing beaches of the Algarve.
Autumn/winter (October-April)
Sorry, sun seekers – the colder months of the year offer the prime time to surf Faro. Granted, the weather isn’t as good. You don’t get weeks on end of scorching sunshine and temperatures in the 30s. But you do get the dominant swell direction and a bit more punch from the Atlantic. That can bring waves that go overhead on occasion. They make the harbour wall spot at Praia da Falesia pretty fast as a left-hander and can add some good challenges to the peaks on Faro Beach itself. Wetsuits are needed. Booties and hoods optional (but we’d pack just in case).
Wear: 4/3 wetsuit
Spring/summer (May-September)
You might have some joy towards the start and end of the spring and summer season. That’s when offshores and N-NW wind and groundswells can be found still rolling up into the Med channel from the ocean. But don’t get your hopes up. The chances are that this end of the Algarve will be flat most of the time from May onwards. To get reliable waves, you’re looking at a drive down the coast to Sagres.
Wear: Sometimes rash vest 2mm or 3/2 on colder spells
Where to stay (when surfing) in Faro?
Good hotels for surfers in Faro
My two cents here would be to stay in Faro town, enjoy the history and food that comes with it, and then travel out to the beaches to surf when you want to.
There’s a good chance the main beach near Faro won’t be working all that well and you’ll need to drive an hour or something west anyhow, so why not enjoy the town for what it can offer and do that when you need to?
- 3HB Faro – A very sleek, very cool hotel in the midst of the heritage town. You’ll return to a rooftop pool, a spa with a sauna, an edgy noir bar and more here. Very nice indeed.
- Casa da Madalena Backpackers Hostel – A super-well-rated budget stay right in the thick of the historic center. It’s a classic chilled backpacker spot with good people and good social side to it.
>>We also have a selection of the best surf hotels in Portugal for more inspo
Surf camps in Faro
Faro isn’t close enough to the star beaches of the Algarve to really have surf camps of its own.
However, it is the gateway to the region, and there are some great surf locations and the surf camps to match not too far from the city.
To hit those, you’ll almost certainly need to travel west a little, closer to the Atlantic – a drive of about an hour is usaully the minimum.
The bonus here is that camps take care of just about everything for you: Gear rentals, transport to breaks that are working, surf lessons – you name it.
If you were planning acamp in this part of the Algarve, we’d probably reccomend…
- Tiny Whale Surf Lodge – Consistently highly rated as one of the best in the country, this lodge does full-package weeks that include surfs all around the south and west of the Algarve. All coaches are ISA-qualified and you do lessons every day for five days. It’s about an hour’s drive here from Faro Airport.
>>Read our complete guide to the top surf camps in the Algarve right now
Surf shops in Faro
Because Faro doesn’t have the same booming surf scene as Sagres (yet), there aren’t as many surf stores in the area. There are a few worth noting down on the map before you fly in though…
- Pipeline Surf Shop – This locally-owned shop is the go-to spot for gear in Faro’s old town. It’s small but has plenty in stock. For hardware, you’ll find nice Al Merrick shorts and long beginner Torq boards. Clothes wise, there are boardies, rash vests and wetsuits to fit the Portuguese surf season. In addition, they look like a friendly bunch!
Where to eat in Faro
Faro’s historic centre has plenty of traditional Portuguese eateries. Settle in to get a taste of the region’s seafood and meat. Or, pick something a little different for a vegan lunch. It’s up to you…
- Sem Tempo – is a local’s favourite that sits just to the north of the Faro old town. It’s just the thing if you’re looking to sample and authentic Algarvian tavern. Of course, that means loads of meat. Kebabs, surf and turf, BBQ skewers – you name it. A huge pan of chips seems to be the side of choice.
- l’Osteria – is a taste of rustic Italia on the south coast of Portugal. Fresh carpaccio and mozzarella sharing platters can be followed by cheesy pastas and seafood plates inspired by the Boot. There are also pizzas up for grabs. The inside is cosy and warm (check out the log fire), but the alfresco sitting is where you’ll want to be for people watching.
- Outro Lado – 100% vegan Outro Lado is the place for a fix of plant-based nourishment in Faro. It’s got green bagels and make-believe fried eggs next to curries and intriguing salads. There’s also a nice mix of eco wines and locally made beers on the menu.
Things to do when you’re not surfing in Faro
The Faro surfing isn’t the most consistent in the country. So, what will you do on those inevitable flat days? Which beaches will keep the suntan browning? Are there any unique cultural treasures to get stuck into? You bet…
Ria Formosa Lagoon
The whole of the Ria Formosa estuary is now a protected nature park. It’s a wonderful corner of the south Algarve, with flat farmlands meeting sloshing waterways. A day spent boating around the islets and channels is a must. There are barrier island beaches to get stuck into (some of which even have their own surf breaks), small fishing towns with bars and seafood restaurants, and even birding spots where you can see cuckoos and flamingos!
The best way to do this? Book yourself one of the morning catamaran tours.
Cidade Velha
The Cidade Velha is the historic core of Faro itself. It’s sure to help you forget about the flat conditions with its mix of lovely Moorish architecture and charming stone-topped streets. A day here can easily be spent people watching in the roadside cafes or taking photographs of the flower-covered Algarvian cottages that line the alleys. Also don’t miss those centuries-old city walls and arched gateways – they’re pretty impressive.
Should I rent a car for surfing in Faro?
That’s totally up to you. The temptation is that you can score some of the cheapest car hires in the region from here, simply because Faro is the home of the main international airport that serves the Algarve. (From experience, it’s possible to get a car for around $300-500 for up to three weeks in shoulder seasons like fall).
What a car will bring to the table is the freedom to drive the whole length and breadth of the Algarve. That’s pretty special if you’re the sort that likes to seek out hidden beach breaks that you can have to yourself. Plus, it helps a whole load here because there are two coastlines – one that faces west, the other south. You’ll be able to go wherever is offshore; wherever has swell.
We probably wouldn’t recommend getting a car if all you want to do is see the beaches of the Rio Formosa and Faro itself. There’s no need. Those are real close by and a day trip is a better choice.
Use RentalCars.com to check for car hires. We find it to be the cheapest on the whole for Portugal. Plus you can cancel like the day before usually (double check that though).
Be aware that most pick ups will be at the airport. Plus, some car companies are finickety about getting estate cars if you’re bringing boards, or so we hear. We’ve never had an issue stuffing our 6 footers into Fiat Pandas!
Faro travel basics
Where is Faro?
Faro straddles the ocean and the inland of the Algarve. It’s the town at the heart of the Faro Region, which runs from the wetlands and lagoons of the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa to dusty hills clad in olive trees and palms.
The city itself is about 5km from the coast at its closest point. The popular resort areas of southern Portugal begin with Vilamoura around 28 minutes’ drive to the west.
Going eastwards, it won’t be long until you reach Spain – the border is just 45 minutes by car.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
