Exploring Faro by Hire Car
Faro, a wonderful city in the south of Portugal invites guests from near and far to visit. The origins of the city date back to Roman times.
Today Faro is the centre of the entire Algarve region, both administratively and socially and culturally.
Six municipalities belong to the district of Faro. These are Conceiçao, Estói, Faro (Sao Pedro), Faro (Sé), Montenegro and Santa Bárbara de Nexe. We have put together a few tips for your round trip by hire car.
Taking over the hire car
Many rental stations are located directly in the terminal. Just follow the signs or ask at the information desk. Be sure to check that your rental company also has its station right in the terminal.
Because there are also providers that are only located near the airport. In this case, you have to wait for a shuttle to take you there. And that can cost valuable travel time.
Choosing the right car
On many of Portugal’s country roads, and even more so in villages and towns, it can be quite crowded. It’s better to choose a smaller vehicle to get around. However, if you also want to play Portugal’s beautiful golf courses, make sure the boot of your hire car can also hold a golf bag.
Hire car prices
In Faro you can hire car at very reasonable rates. But in the high season, there can be shortages at the rental companies. And that’s when the prices go up too. You can usually get the best deals if you book your hire car in good time and use our handy price comparison.
hire car price comparison Faro
Insurance
Since a small fender bender can happen quickly on narrow roads, you should choose a fully comprehensive insurance without deductible. This will keep you on the safe side. With liability, it is very important to pay attention to the amount of coverage. It should be at least one million euros.
Because if people are injured in an accident, it is often very expensive. If the amount of coverage of your rental company seems to be too low, you can additionally protect yourself with a so-called Mallorca policy. Talk to your insurance company.
age limit
Many rental companies only rent their cars to drivers 21 and older. And drivers under 25 are often subject to additional fees. Ask about the terms and conditions before renting the car. You will find them under the rental conditions.
Accessories
If you need accessories such as a roof rack, you should find out before renting your vehicle whether your rental company also has such things in its range. In addition, you should make reservations well in advance to ensure that the accessories will be available on your desired date.
Language barrier
Since not all station staff speak English flawlessly, it can be helpful to save the phone number of your rental company’s headquarters in Portugal in your cell phone. Then you can call to ask for translation help in an emergency.
Free kilometers
If you want to explore not only the Faro area but the whole country, be sure to choose a rental with free kilometres. If the kilometres are limited to 750, for example, an additional fee will be charged from kilometre 751 onwards. And that can really add up quite quickly.
Customer Satisfaction Hire Car
Most customers are satisfied with the hire car stations in Faro. However, some complain that providers had tried to sell them expensive additional insurances. Take out all necessary insurance at the time of booking and then refuse to take out any additional insurance on the spot.
Vehicle safety
Often, you don’t have to worry about the safety of your hire car in Faro. However, you should still test the lights, indicators and brake lights before your first drive. In addition, do a little brake test in the parking lot of the hire car station.
If your hire car has dents and scratches, you should have this confirmed in writing when you pick it up. That way, you avoid being held liable for damage you didn’t cause when you return the vehicle.
Bail
If your rental company actually deducts the deposit from your credit card, it may take some time to get the money back in your account after you return the vehicle. It’s better to choose a rental company that just blocks the amount on your credit card.
Tank control
With some operators, you buy a full tank of gas when you rent the car, and then you can return the car with an empty tank. However, since you won’t manage to pull into the provider’s parking lot with the last drop of gas, you’ll always pay on top with this option.
It is better to choose a provider where you will receive a vehicle with a full tank of gas and then return it with a full tank. Get written confirmation of the tank’s fill level.
Sights in Faro
Sao Antónino: Church with a view
Start your city walk at the church of Sao Antónino. There, you’ll find a lookout tower from which you can get a great view of the city.
Ighreja do Carmo: Creepy Bone Chapel
It gets a little spooky when you now direct your steps to the Ighreja do Carmo. There you will find the so-called Bone Chapel which has been “decorated” with skulls and bones from a cemetery.
Museu Maritim: Exploring maritime history
Next stop on your city stroll could be the Museu Marítimo. There, you’ll learn a lot about Portugal’s close connection to the sea as a seafaring nation. The museum is open Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 12:00pm and from 2:30pm to 4:30pm. Admission costs 1 euro.
Alameda Joao de Deus: Relax in the city park
If you want to relax a little at the end of your stroll, you can stroll to the Alameda Joao de Deus. In Faro’s city park you will find exotic plants like palm trees, rubber trees or pine trees.
Suggestion for a round trip
Cacela Velha: Enchanted village under monument protection
A first trip from Faro can start in Cacela Velha. In just under an hour you will be there. The small village, in which only about 100 people live today, is under monument protection. You have to leave your hire car at the edge of the village. Only the residents are allowed to drive into the village. This has the advantage that you are largely spared from car traffic when you stroll through the enchanted alleys of the village and dive deep into the Portuguese past.
Beja: Medieval town with a view
The next stop on your trip is Beja. You can reach the town from Cacela Velha in just under two hours. Beja has a well-preserved medieval old town and is dominated by a mighty castle built in the 13th century.
From there you have fantastic views of the town and surrounding area. The Igreja Santa Maria was also built in the 13th century and impresses with the multitude of altars in the interior. At the end of your visit you can visit the monastery Nossa Senhora da Conceicao, which was built in the 15th century. Visitors are particularly captivated by the church with its magnificent ceiling paintings.
Loulé: Charming small town with Moorish quarter
Before you park the hire car back in Faro, you should still stop in Loulé. From Beja, the driving time is one and a half hours. In Loulé, you can stroll through a typical Moorish quarter and end the day relaxing. From there, you only have to drive 20 minutes to get back to Faro.
conclusion
The diversity of Portugal can be wonderfully experienced by hire car. Most places are easy to reach and many destinations can be discovered after a short drive. And with our handy hire car price comparison, you’ll always find a great deal too.
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