A night in the desert reveals a landscape transformed. The intense silence and profound darkness that follow sunset give way to a celestial display, with the Milky Way arching vividly across the sky. This experience often begins with the thrill of dune bashing at dusk, followed by the tranquillity of a traditional camp. Here, the evening is spent around a fire, enjoying aromatic coffee and sweet dates, perhaps accompanied by the gentle bubbling of a shisha pipe. It is a stark, beautiful contrast to the daytime heat and a chance to comprehend the vast, empty spaces that have shaped Bedouin culture for millennia.

The Palácio de Estói, situated in the town of Estói (just north of Faro) is a Rococo style private palace built in the second half of the 19th-century. This miniature version of the King’s palace in Queluz, on the outskirts of Lisbon, is surrounded by relaxing public gardens. In Milreu, just outside the palace, you will come across the Algarve Roman remains.

This hard-to-miss building, located in very close proximity to the Tourist Office, regularly hosts a wealth of photography exhibitions featuring the works of local and international photographers. Expositions change frequently, so stop by to see what is on display when you're in town.

Rebuilt throughout the ages, the Faro Cathedral, also known as the Santa Maria Cathedral, is now a mixture of Renaissance and Baroque religious buildings. Its interior is equally rich, featuring a large organ from the 18th-century with Chinoiserie details.