WINE AND TAPAS TASTING IN THE HEART OF FARO

Three restaurants, several Portuguese wines, a variety of tapas and a quick stop to try one of Faro’s most renowned pastéis de nata: this was the programme of the food tour I booked through GetYourGuide to discover the city from a different perspective.

I only had a few hours and one mission: to discover Faro and its food. Rather than choosing somewhere at random, I decided to let a guide lead me through the city on a Tapas & Wine Tour. It was a friendly experience that took us inside places we would probably never have discovered on our own, while meeting people who were delighted to share the products and traditions of their region.

Experience provided by GetYourGuide as part of a commercial collaboration. My opinion remains personal and independent.

The second restaurant had a very different atmosphere. At first glance, it might have seemed more geared towards tourists. Yet the tapas were good, the service was attentive and the wine list was particularly interesting.

This is where we tried a vinho verde, accompanied by explanations about its origin and character. Contrary to what its name may suggest, it is not simply a “green” wine because of its colour. Vinho Verde is an appellation in north-western Portugal, a humid, verdant region strongly influenced by the Atlantic. Its white wines are especially appreciated for their freshness and bright acidity. They are not necessarily sparkling: some are still, while others have only a very slight fizz.

The one we tasted was white, dry and only very lightly sparkling. I really enjoyed discovering it, and it paired very well with the specialities served at the table.

Among them, we tried lagartinhos de porco preto. Despite what the name might suggest, it is obviously not lizard, but rather thin cuts of Portuguese black pork whose elongated shape inspired the name. It was a flavoursome meat, simply prepared here to preserve all its taste.

This second stop will particularly appeal to wine lovers, as the establishment has a fine selection of bottles and we were given genuinely informative explanations about the wine served.

You cannot explore Portuguese food without trying a pastel de nata. Between two restaurants, Alessandra suggested a quick stop to taste the best pastel de nata in Faro. There was no way we were leaving without checking for ourselves!

This short sweet break fitted perfectly into the tour and added variety before the final stop.

To end the tour, there was a complete change of atmosphere. We entered an elegant and peaceful guest house hidden in the heart of the city. The décor immediately felt like stepping into a cocoon: an intimate place where you almost feel at home.

We tasted a white wine, a red wine and two Port wines, accompanied by generous platters of local cheeses. After the tapas at the first stops and the pastel de nata, needless to say we were no longer hungry when we left!

Once again, the welcome was very warm and the place was a genuine discovery. My only regret is that I did not have the chance to return for dinner. We had already eaten more than enough that day, but I will gladly keep this address in mind for a future stay in Faro.

This experience is an excellent way to discover Faro when you have limited time or want to avoid choosing restaurants solely from the most visible places.

I particularly enjoyed the variety of the stops and felt that each one had its own personality and brought something different to the tour.

What truly makes the difference, however, is the guidance. A huge thank you to Alessandra, without whom we would not have discovered these places or met all the passionate people along the way. Her knowledge of Faro, good humour and recommendations contributed greatly to making the experience so enjoyable.