Arco da Vila

The basics

Arco da Vila marks the entrance to Faro Old Town, a quaint and cobbled area home to a handful of historical monuments. Look up and directly above the gate you’ll see a statue of St. Thomas Aquinas, said to be the protector of Faro. Many walking tours of Faro’s highlights and hidden gems stop at Arco da Vila, while several food and wine tours pass the gate on the way to foodie hot spots.

Things to know before you go

• Look out for the stork’s nests in the bell tower; you might be able to spot a mother feeding chicks.
• To the left of Arco da Vila’s entrance is the Faro Tourist Office, where you can get maps and visitor information.
• The area around and through the gate is cobbled but flat, so shouldn’t pose a problem for travelers with limited mobility.

How to get there

From Faro train station, Arco da Vila is a 10-minute walk via Av. da Republica. Trains arrive in Faro all the way from Lisbon via the main towns in the Algarve, including Lagos and Albufeira. Faro International Airport is a 10-minute drive away, while rideshares are readily available here.

When to get there

Arco da Vila is open daily year-round. The Algarve enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine per year, so you’re likely to experience warm weather whether you visit in January or June. Temperatures soar in July and August—as do crowds—so avoid these months if you can.

What to see near Arco da Vila

While often rushed through, Faro is a charming town with many worthwhile attractions. Just a couple of minutes from Arco da Vila is Doca de Faro, a pretty marine flanked by seafood restaurants serving oysters harvested from the nearby Ria Formosa Natural Park. Also nearby is the Capela dos Ossos, a spooky chapel built from the bones of Carmelite monks.