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As it is situated on the Atlantic, the Algarve region has a bounty of fresh fish on its doorstep. Portugal on a whole is among Europe's highest fish consuming nations. Cod is a hugely popular fish and it is reputed that the Portuguese have 365 different ways to prepare it - one dish for each day of the year! Also popular are grilled sardines, octopus, squid, crabs, shrimp, sea bass, lobster, and shellfish. Expect to see the fish and shellfish here prepared in a multitude of ways. Additional dishes to try are the rich bean stews and presunto, which is a wafer thin smoked ham and bread served with pate and olives. Speaking of bread, you may want to sample the acorda which is a thick bread-based casserole made with garlic, coriander and seafood. Potatoes and rice dishes are also mainstays of the menus here.

There are many different Portuguese wines to choose from such as Dao, Vinho verde, Reguengos and the famous Port wine. Bica is an espresso coffee which is perfect to round out your meal.

Due to the large student population from the local university, there is plenty to do in Faro once night falls. At weekends and during the summer, the place to be is the area around Rua Conselheiro Bivar and Rua Infante Dom Henrique. These streets become filled with young people until the wee hours as there are plenty of bars and clubs. Largo da Madalena is good for tapas. But don't expect the streets to start livening up before 10 pm.

Some of the best items to pick up in Faros local shops are embroidered cotton tablecloths and napkins, ceramics, leather shoes and handbags and crocheted items. Painted Portuguese tiles are quite affordable in Faro, too. There are also excellent examples of pottery work to be found here since working with clay is an old tradition in the Algarve region.

Flythomascook offers cheap flights to Faro. An impressive mall near Faro Airport is the Forum Algarve. Shoppers will find food, wines, books and clothes for sale here in a mostly open air environment. There is also a broad selection of high street shops in the mall.

For a traditional Portuguese market, you should head over to the Mercado de Faro located in Largo do Mercado in the town centre. That's the place to pick up handicrafts, traditional clothes and many other products made in the Algarve.