Santa Maria Cathedral, Faro, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

Santa Maria Cathedral (the Sé de Faro) is the cathedral of the Algarve's regional capital, standing in the walled old town of Faro, Portugal. Parts of the building go back to the 13th and 14th centuries, but much of the interior was reshaped after a devastating attack in 1596. It is the best place in the city to see how medieval, Mannerist and Baroque taste layered over each other.

The story behind it

The oldest surviving parts of the church, including the bell tower and two chapels of the cross, come from the 13th and 14th centuries. In 1596 English troops led by Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, ransacked Faro and set the city and its church on fire. Only the sanctuary chapels, the tower on the facade and the walls of the nave survived. The altars and wooden ceilings were destroyed. Books from the bishop's library were also carried off to England.

The interior was rebuilt in the 17th century in the Mannerist style and enriched with gilded carving, and an organ was added around 1715. Together these works form one of the most valuable artistic ensembles of the 17th and 18th centuries in the Algarve.

What to look for

• The tower beside the facade is one of the parts that came through the 1596 fire, so you are looking at medieval masonry.
• The two chapels of the cross are original medieval elements, and they sit alongside much later decoration inside.
• The gilded carving in the interior shows the rebuilding after the fire, and its warm gold stands out against the plain walls.
• The organ dates from around 1715, and its case is worth a close look even if you never hear it played.

Tips for your visit

• Allow about 30 to 45 minutes for the cathedral itself, longer if you want to linger in the square outside.
• Go in the morning or late afternoon, when the light is softer and the old town is quieter.
• Check current opening hours and whether any parts, such as the tower, are open to visitors on the day you go.
• The Largo da Sé is in the heart of the old town, so the Bishop's Palace and the old town gate are only a short stroll away.

See it on a quest

Romantic Faro: Whisper of Love passes the cathedral as one stop on a longer walk through the old town. You reach it on foot, the app tells you about the place as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle based on what is in front of you. It is a paid quest, and one ticket covers the whole group, so it suits couples and friends who want a relaxed way to explore Faro at their own pace.