The cluttered architectural styles of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque times in the town will definitely draw your attention towards them, though much of the city now comprises of public housing and attractive shops and a particularly artistic theatre.
Faro has a warm scruffy lived-in feel. The Renaissance Arco da Vila cuts through the fortifications of the old city into the roomy open square that was once the site of the Roman Forum now stands the town’s 13th-century cathedral facing the 18th-century Episcopal. The neighboring 16th-century convent is the present day of archaeological museum the town which has a section devoted to the Arab occupation. The "Golden" church of Senhora do Carmo is claimed to be the best example of gold-leaf woodcraft in southern Portugal. The church also displays the most ghoulish manifestation of a chapel lined with the bones of over 1200 monks!! Azulejos; the ancient art of finely hand painted tiles is also something to watch out for. There is also, a Naval Museum contained with scale model boats and galleons reflecting the maritime history of the coast.
The history of Faro's Old town walls surrounding the oldest part of Faro, which is situated near the sea. It is also known as the Muralhas i.e. ancient city walls and dates back to the late Roman period. The walls were raised by the Moorish prince Ben Bekr and are house to two barbican towers and various arches. This medieval city defense also includes a castle from the 17th century.
> The Arco da Vila:
A monumental arch in the old town walls and ramparts designed by the Italian architect Francisco Xavier Fabri in place of the medieval archway which was destroyed during the 1755 earthquake. A statue of the saint of Faro Thomas Aquinas stands in an alcove of the arch. This monument can be found at the southern end of the Manuel Bivar Park. There are two barbican towers in the fortification of the city's defenses during the 12th/13th centuries, which defend the entrance to the Arco do Repouso (Arch of Rest).
> Celeiro de São Francisco (Granary of St. Francis)
This octagonal structure (18th century) was built inside a garden as a place to seek shelter from the heat. The illustrations in mortar work of Hercules and the giant Adamastor which tower the two sides of the facade are fascinating examples of the flavors of that age. The arms of the nobleman who ordered the creation of this edifice are visible over the door.
> Lethes Theatre
An ex-college of the Society of Jesus, the theatre has a somber facade typical of Jesuit architecture. It was converted into a theatre in 1845 and is a good example of the 19th/20th century provincial playhouse.
> The statue of João de Deus:
The greatest Portuguese poet of his times, João de Deus has a nice little park named after him beside his statue.
> Statue of Dom Francisco Gomes de Avelar:
Dom Francisco Gomes de Avelar (1736-1816) the bishop of the Algarve dedicated all his life and fortune to the development of Faro, largely through the construction of monuments and other buildings of public interest. The statue was erected by the people as a sign of their homage and gratitude to the bishop. The statue stands at the city’s historical center, next to the Bishop’s Palace and the Mother Church.
> Arab Doors:
The legend related to this site, states a niche where the image of the Virgin Mary was rested, before it was taken away by the Arabs from here; and in consequence of this act, the sea stopped providing fish and the land stopped producing fruits. Ultimately things returned to normal only after the image was reinstated to its original position.
> Episcopal Palace
This building depicts the "cha" (plain) architectural style which predominated at the end of the 16th and throughout the 17th century and happens to be one of the Algarve's prime constructions. It had to be moderately rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake. There is an interesting contrast between the strict geometric lines of the frontage and the doorway and the distinctively outlined pyramid shaped
"tesouro" roofs. The walls of the foyer, stairway and three exhibit rooms are dressed in rocaille tile decorations belonging to the third quarter of the 18th century. Entry to the palace is restricted.