Largo da Sé, Faro

in Faro

CC BY-SA 2.0 / Sergei Gussev

Largo da Sé is the historic square at the very heart of Faro’s Old Town, enclosed within the city’s medieval walls. Entered through the grand Arco da Vila, the square opens onto a wide cobbled space framed by some of Faro’s most important buildings: the Cathedral (Sé de Faro), the Town Hall, and the Episcopal Palace. This has been the civic and religious center of Faro for centuries, dating back to Roman and Moorish times, when the area served as the city’s core. Today, it retains a calm, almost timeless atmosphere, with orange trees shading the stone-paved square and the sound of bells echoing across the rooftops.

Statue Of Bishop Francisco Gomes Do Avelar Faro

CC BY-SA 2.0 / Glen Bowman

At its center stands a statue of Bishop Francisco Gomes do Avelar, who played a major role in rebuilding Faro after the catastrophic 1755 earthquake. Around him, the square captures the architectural contrasts that define the city: the Gothic and Baroque grandeur of the cathedral, the Neoclassical lines of the Town Hall, and the elegant 18th-century façade of the Episcopal Palace. This mix of styles reflects Faro’s layered history, from medieval Christianity to Enlightenment civic pride.

For visitors, Largo da Sé is a natural gathering point on any walking tour of the Old Town. It offers one of the best spots to pause and soak in Faro’s historic atmosphere before exploring further into the winding cobbled streets, quiet courtyards, and museums that lie beyond. Cafés and small restaurants are tucked into nearby lanes, while the square itself remains largely unspoiled, a place where the past feels close at hand. Standing here, you sense why this square has remained the symbolic heart of Faro for nearly a millennium.

The Largo da Sé, Faro appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Faro!

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