Give the city time
A central Faro stay lets you combine small heritage circuits with relaxed meals and waterfront pauses. Use the Old Town as an introduction, then choose another interest instead of hurrying through a long list of interiors.
For a first city day, keep the Old Town and waterfront together, then choose whether another cultural stop is worth adding. This works better than using Faro only for the hours left after an airport journey. If you stay overnight, you can explore at a slower pace and return to a street or square that caught your attention.
Two sides of the water
The city overlooks the lagoon; the ocean shore is beyond it. Praia de Faro has a road connection, while island outings involve boats. Choose the journey as carefully as the beach setting, especially on a short stay.
Think about the level of commitment you want from a coastal outing. A road-based visit to Praia de Faro can be planned differently from an island trip with a fixed boat return. Compare departure points, boarding and the walk ashore with the needs of your group; a short crossing is only one part of the experience.
A useful base with choices
Regional trains make Faro worth considering for a holiday that includes several towns without daily driving. A car adds options for scattered inland stops, but it need not define every city day. Start with your likely outings before choosing accommodation.
An itinerary built around towns may favour a central address and selected railway journeys, while a trip involving scattered inland stops may benefit from a car. Choose transport around actual destinations instead of renting by habit. The same approach helps with accommodation: a room convenient for the airport is not automatically the best base for city evenings.