There's plenty to do and see in the ancient city of Faro and a visit to the old part of the city, surrounded still by the Roman walls, is a must. Visit the 13th century cathedral, and climb up the tower for the best views. Faro also boasts plenty of shops, bars and restaurants and a buzzing social scene. For nature lovers, particularly bird watchers, Faro is the home of the Ria Formosa lagoon, a spectacular nature reserve of over 17,000 hectares and a stopping place for hundreds of different bird species during the spring and autumn migratory periods.