Municipal Museum of Faro

Great museum to visit in Faro. The museum has many pieces of art. Modern paintings (modern art) but also paintings from 1500-1800. Unfortunatly some paintings are in bad conditions and require restoration. Most of the old paintings are religious art, there are many paintings with Maria and Jesus. There are also many stone structures with inscriptions from the Roman time. They also have a huge Roman mozaïek that is beautiful to visit. The museum itself is in an old monastery and is a lovely place to take some good pictures. When we visited on Sunday morning the entrance was free, that was a nice bonus. Overal, a great place to get an impression of all the art that has influenced Faro.

We were so glad we made the trip to the Municipal Museum of Faro. This is a terrific insight into the history of the region and the people who lived there in years gone by. Architecturally, it is perhaps, one of the most beautiful buildings in Faro and most of it can only be appreciated from within the confines of its walls. I have attached a selection of photographs to whet your appetite to make the visit but why would you not? It is in the heart of the city and could not be more interesting. The entrance fee is very modest and worth so much more. The art is just so inspiring and the buildings themselves, so peaceful .. one could spend an hour just drifting between the walls and the garden. The exhibitions are clearly labelled and there is something there for everyone - we noticed people of all ages enjoying this museum. Well done Faro!

A pleasant space with quite a wide variety of exhibitions, including modern art to antiquities from the Romans It could have used a bit better documentation for context, locations of items found, etc

A little gem tucked inside a former convent—history never looked so good! The Municipal Museum of Faro is like a time-traveling treasure hunt through Algarve’s past. Housed in a gorgeous old convent with peaceful cloisters and Roman mosaics just casually chilling on the floor (yes, really), it’s the kind of place that surprises you at every turn. From ancient Roman artifacts to religious art and quirky local history, it’s both charming and enlightening without ever feeling stuffy. Bonus points for the serene courtyard—perfect for pretending you’ve stepped into a period drama. If you enjoy a mix of culture, calm, and a little curiosity, don’t skip this spot. It’s a delightful way to soak up Faro’s soul!

Person at the desk was not very friendly after we asked to pay by card but that seems to be a thing in this region... Museum had some very interesting things to see and read from during the greek era, the romans and 17th century. We did hope to learn a bit more about some other very interesting parts of history in Faro for example the raid by the English duke, reconquiring by first king of Portugal or perhaps the interesting story by the people from the nearby village of Olhao that stood up against the French occupier and started the civilian rebellion and afterwards 17 couragious men without navigating skills sailed over the ocean to Brasil to tell the king of Portugal about the revolt. Very interesting pieces of history that I would have liked to learn more about.

Peace and quiet in this museum I found it was very interesting history of Portugal 🇵🇹 in this museum you will find peaces of treasure from the ancient period

16th century former convent /cork factory built on the site of the ancient Jewish quarter now a museum with Roman artifacts from the city's past along with a permanent collection of religiously themed paintings and a rotating exhibit of modern art. The building has been beautifully restored; the gargoyles decorating the columns of the interior courtyard are especially delightful.

One of the most beautiful places in the city! The building itself is stunning, and its exhibitions offer a fascinating insight into the history of Faro and the Algarve. I was lucky to visit during a festival, which meant extended hours—perfect for exploring at a leisurely pace. A must-visit for history lovers!