Learn Portuguese in Faro
Learn Portuguese in Faro and enjoy a fully immersive language course in a beautiful historic port town.
Prices & dates for Faro
Why learn Portuguese in Faro?
Faro is a historic city with evidence of settlements dating back to the fourth century BC. Its architecture showcases reminders of the region’s Roman and Moorish heritage. These ancient sites stand in stark contrast to the city’s mid-century buildings, making Faro an increasingly popular destination for fans of modernist design. After wandering through the cobbled streets of the old town and admiring the geometric patterns and sharp angles of the South Modern residential area, take a moment to relax in the serene Ria Formosa Natural Park, one of Portugal's seven natural wonders. This lagoon, which stretches nearly 60 km along the Algarve coastline, is home to a diverse range of bird species and wildlife. You can easily embark on a boat trip into the lagoon from the marina in central Faro, allowing you to connect with nature effortlessly. If you prefer a more active experience, consider booking a kayak tour of the park.
When you’re ready to return to the vibrant city life, no visit to Faro is complete without exploring the Igreja do Carmo, the city’s most beautiful church, with parts dating back to 1713. The stunning gilded interior alone is worth the visit, but it’s the Capela dos Ossos, or ‘Chapel of Bones’, located behind the church, that truly captivates visitors. This chapel is adorned with the bones and skulls of approximately 1,300 Carmelite monks, whose remains were exhumed from a nearby overcrowded cemetery in the early 1800s. This intriguing attraction is open to visitors for a small fee at select times during the week and on some Saturday mornings. An inscription above the chapel door reads, ‘Stop here and consider, that you will reach this state too’ (‘Pára aqui a considerar que a este estado hás-de chegar’).
After reflecting on life’s transience, you may be ready to enjoy a refreshing glass of wine and a meal. Faro boasts a wide array of restaurants, with main courses averaging around €12, offering excellent value for money. Seafood enthusiasts will be delighted, as most establishments serve a fantastic selection of the day’s catch. Be sure to try the cataplana, a traditional seafood stew served in a distinctive copper bowl divided into two halves.
About our Faro school
Faro, the capital of the Algarve and a key tourist destination in Portugal, has managed to retain its authentic charm, avoiding the typical changes aimed at attracting international visitors. This city embodies the essence of Portugal, featuring local shops, well-preserved historic streets, and landmarks, along with affordable restaurants serving delicious seafood. Plus, the stunning beaches of the Algarve are just a short drive or public transport ride away!
The old town is only a brief walk from our language school. Enter through one of the historic arches and wander through the charming cobbled streets. If you exit via the Arco da Vila, you’ll find yourself right by the marina, an ideal spot for yacht-watching while enjoying a refreshing drink.
Our Portuguese language school in Faro is conveniently located next to the Mercado Municipal de Faro, a large indoor market for food and flowers. This vibrant market is the perfect place to practise your newly acquired Portuguese skills and sample some delicious local produce.
Our school features six air-conditioned classrooms, ensuring you stay cool and comfortable during the hot summer days. We also have a garden area and a student kitchen equipped with a microwave, allowing you to heat up meals and snacks on days when you prefer not to dine out. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building, making it easy to research and plan your outings, while our friendly staff are always ready to offer advice about the local area.
Location of our school in Faro
What is the best language course in Faro?
Available courses
A total immersion Portuguese course at our Faro school will ensure you achieve a well-rounded knowledge of the language. Before starting the course you will take an assessment test to make sure you are placed in a group with students of the same level.
The Intensive course of 20 lessons per week is usually scheduled 09:00-12:40 Monday to Friday (including a 30-minute break) and incorporates all aspects of language learning, including speaking, listening, reading, writing and grammar. Your native Portuguese speaking teacher will make sure you get the most from your lessons and make as much progress as possible in the time available to you.
This course is also available at Christmas time, making Faro the ideal location for a winter getaway.
If you fancy studying in the afternoon as well, opt for the Super Intensive course of 25 lessons per week. In addition to the morning lessons, you will attend one themed workshop, with focus topics including conversation, vocabulary exercises, linguistic presentations, and role play activities. These sessions are held 13:00-14:40 Monday to Friday.
The maximum class size at our Faro school is just 8 students per class (except at Easter and in August), providing lots of personal attention to each and every student.
Private lessons (5 or 10 lessons per week) can be arranged in addition to group classes, allowing students to delve deeper into areas that they don’t feel confident in, or cover specific vocabulary. For maximum progress consider booking a full course of private lessons. You will then be able to design the programme to suit your own requirements exactly, and as you can join the school’s free-time activities you will still have the opportunity to mix and socialise with other students.
Special courses in Faro
What accommodation is available in Faro?
Available accommodation
Stay with a Portuguese host family to really immerse yourself in the language and culture! Our Faro school can arrange accommodation with a carefully selected local host or host family for you. This type of accommodation is offered on a bed and breakfast basis, leaving you free to sample the local tabernas for lunch and dinner.
We also offer self-catering accommodation in Faro in the form of shared student apartments. This fully-equipped accommodation option offers single and shared bedrooms (shared rooms available for two students travelling together) and access to a shared bathroom, kitchen and living room. The apartments are located within walking distance of the school and have cable television and Wi-Fi.
What activities are available in Faro?
Make the most of your time in Faro by participating in the school’s optional activity programme. Our school regularly offers visits to museums, monuments and other local places of interest, all included in the cost of your course! The school will also arrange dinners at local Portuguese restaurants, in which case you just pay for your own meal and drinks. You will be encouraged to practise your Portuguese at all times, so that you continue to increase your confidence in using the language in everyday situations!
Sample activity programmeHow to get to our school in Faro
Faro has its own airport, located very close to the city centre. Most flights that arrive here are from other European countries so if you are travelling long-haul you should consider flying to Lisbon and then travelling to Faro on an internal flight, or by train or coach.
On arrival at Faro Airport there are lots of taxis available, or use the airport bus. If you would prefer to be met on arrival we can arrange an airport transfer for you at extra cost.
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Faro: Student reviews & feedback
Intensive 20 with Host family
The classes in Faro were well organized. My host was excellent. The schools and accommodation were both excellent and I would return to both in the future.
- D. Rice
Semi-intensive
I felt like I had learnt a lot! I really enjoyed my time there I was satisfied with the progress I had made. There were enjoyable cultural activities twice a week and the support from the language school was great.
I would really recommend Faro, it's calm with beautiful beaches and lovely places to explore along the Algarve. 4 weeks is a perfect amount of time to immerse yourself in the culture and practice speaking newly learnt skills!
- G. Barreto
Super Intensive 25
Very professional. Excellent course, with placement test, course book, only two students in the group. I learned such a lot in two weeks.
- C. Edgington
Super Intensive 25
I already knew a bit of Portuguese but with two weeks of the super intensive course all the pieces of knowledge combined.
The teachers are really really nice and open. I enjoyed going there.
- J. Steffens
Semi Intensive with Host Family
Consequent and patient teacher with good declaration Intodrucing not only the language but the Country and People too Very friendly and helpful , creating a pleasant atmoshere Extremely nice guide in the afternoon programs. I would be happy to come again.
Very friendly and Open-mind hosts without being intrusive. The best I could Hope for: excellent conditions in aspect to room and bathroom - best Hygiene.
- A. Göttsche
The teachers were very friendly! The acomodation in itself was good (clean, spacious, well equipied) but it was far from the school (20 minutes walking), from the town center.
- R. Touitou
Good teacher and I learnt alot during the month.
- F. Somerville
Super Intensive 25 with Host Family
The best course I have ever had. Great teachers in terms skill and humor, and lovely office lady. Very good homestay. Close to school, hospitable host and good accommodation. Faro might be a very good place for study. Small town but still lots to enjoy so I didnt get bored.Convinient transport to all coast cities and Seville. Very nice local people who always smile and respond in portugues if you want to practise your portuguese with them.
- X. Yue
Teacher was excellent. After 2 weeks learning Portuguese, we're able to write Portuguese and to speak. That's great !
- B. Françoise
The location of the class was excellent in an old style building which added to the character of the course. The teaching and admin staff could not have been more helpful or interested and really strived to make the week as productive as possible. The course moved along at a good pace of learning and there were contiunal checks to see that learning had taken place. The short morning break was welcome and allowed further informal chat with the tutor (in Portuguese) and with the other students. The morning lessons seemed to fly by which is an indication of how interesting they were. I also had a one to one lesson afterwards and this allowed me to cover topics that I wanted to and it was during this time that the language began to drop into place and I would certainly recommend this to anyone as an additional option to extend the learning.
- L. Ball
The teachers were above my expectations and I developed a great foundation to learn Portuguese. It's an excellent program. The accommodation was basic but good, we came and went as we pleased and the hostesses were very kind.
- J. Amaral
The teacher did a great job and made the course interesting and very useful. My accommodation was good, very clean, the staff were great and very discreet.
- C. Maud
The course was excellent. It was geared well to the needs of students as, after an initial assesment, we were grouped according to our past experiencs and knowledge of the language. In my group there were three students and it worked well. The group tutor was excellent. We had an opportunity, one afternoon, to go with a guide to a local museum which was a very interesting trip. The guide useed Portuguese throughout (albeit speaking slower than she would obviously normally speak - for our benefit, it was much apreciated!)
- R. Gupta
Despite needing to accommodate a range of abilities, even within a group 'moderated' by the initial test, the teachers provided a thoroughly professional course. The group-work was always interesting; whilst the 'one-to-one' work was highly stimulating and enjoyable. The diversity of our group(s) during the two weeks ensured a wide range of social experiences to be shared - and enjoyed - between the participants.
- P. Stow
The teachers were extremely friendly and helpful, which created a very positive working atmosphere. The standard of teaching was very high and they were happy to spend time explaining in depth some of the more difficult aspects of the language, in order that we might understand clearly. I stayed in a private home whilst completing the course. My host was very welcoming and friendly, and she helped with practising spoken Portuguese. I was really pleased with my accomodation.
- S. Miller
The course was well designed to meet my specific need to improve my speaking skills. The mixture of formal study using the book and one to one discussions on a variety of subjects was very helpful.The style was more informal than a previous course I had been on, and I especially liked the way we joined the staff and other students at a local cafe at mid morning break.
- J. Payne
School statistics
Nationality (%)
France (8)
Germany (26)
Holland (3)
Italy (9)
Norway (3)
Other (27)
Spain (5)
Switzerland (6)
Uk (5)
Usa & canada (8)
Average Student Numbers
Student stories on our blog
See the two faces of Faro, Portugal
When I think about Faro, I think about the sun, beaches, parties and relaxation!
The great thing about Faro is that it has two faces. In winter, it is a calm place, although it always has good nightlife because of the number of students from Algarve University present in the city. In summer there are lots of things to do because is filled with thousand and thousand of travellers that give life to the city.
If you are a beach lover and a sun lover I definitely recommend that you learn Portuguese in Faro. I go there every year at Easter because at that time of the year in Portugal, and especially in the Algarve, the weather starts to get warm. It's just perfect - warm but not too warm, and at that time of year there aren't many tourists so you can get to know the friendly locals well.
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Company Number: 08311373