Portugal: Faro – Cidade Velha
Faro is the largest town in Algarve, it’s capital and the main airport and entry point for hordes of mostly British package tourists coming to the famous beaches. But the town has also a well-preserved old quarter. Faro’s history goes way back – it was inhabited from prehistoric times and Romans founded the city of Ossonoba here. The walled old city – Cidade Velha – mostly dates to the 16-17th centuries – with cobblestone streets leading the main square with Se Cathedral and Paço Episcopal Palace. The cathedral was built on the site of an Arab mosque in mid -4th century. The square also holds several top-notch restaurants to try the famous Algarve specialty of seafood cataplana.
