Learn Portuguese in Faro: Social Life
All students are encouraged to make the most of their time in Faro by participating in the guided excursions and activities offered by the Portuguese Language School.
A full programme of activities is available to the students including visits to museums, monuments, and places of interest in the afternoon, evening outings to live music concerts, bars, and Saturday half-day visits.
Activities outside of the Portuguese School:
Faros most famous attraction is a macabre one of the Igreja do Carmo, which features a chapel whose walls are decorated with the bones of more than 1,200 monks disinterred from the neighbouring cemetery.
Another worthwhile attraction near the city is the Ria Formosa Natural Park, why not take a boat ride through the wetlands here and observe the numerous species of birds. Just a short distance to the north of the Natural Park there is the peaceful village of Estoi, boasting a pink Rococo palace and Roman ruins dating back from the 1st century.
Students can also enjoy a variety of local water sports. The local Diving Club can offer PADI courses and diving sessions for language students, that fit in with their language course timetable.
Being a university city, Faro has a vibrant student population who ensure that nightlife keeps pumping. It all happens along the Rua do Prior and in the narrow alleys of Rua Conselheiro Bivar and Rua Infante Dom Henrique. Dance clubs get going around 11 pm and midnight, while bars are open for business any time from noon until the early hours. The Upa Upa Café and Bar at 51 Rua Conselheiro Bivar draws locals and tourists. The nightclub Dux is the place to party until the early hours and the trendsetters should head for the Fashion Kaffe.
A huge variety of restaurants and food stores line the pedestrianised Rua de Santo Antonio, catering for all tastes and budgets. A must is to sample the local cakes and desserts, deliciously made of juicy figs and almonds. For a view try the Ginasio Clube Navals terrace overlooking the harbour, and for a fishy feast there is Adega Dois Irmaos, the citys oldest seafood eatery, where the fresh catch of the day is on display. For well-priced Algarve specialities Tasca on the Rua del Aportel is a good bet.
