There will be no shortage of traditional fun in the Algarve in the coming weeks as several boroughs will be hosting their autumn fairs.
Faro is already holding its Santa Iria fair until October 29 at Largo de São Francisco, while Silves’ Santa Iria fair will take place between October 28 and November 1 at Sítio do Encalhe and Portimão’s Feira de São Martinho (Saint Martin’s Fair) will return for its 360th edition between November 3 and 12 at the fairground near Portimão Arena.
The festivities will also move further west to Lagos, which will hold its Feira Franca from November 17 to 19 in land near the municipal stadium.
Roasted chestnuts, fun rides and merchants selling a wide range of items are some of the most defining features of these autumn fairs in the Algarve.
People of all ages are drawn to these fairs, which have been held for centuries in several municipalities across the Algarve, be it for the range of rides available to the street food served, including the famous roasted chestnuts eaten during this time of year but also ‘farturas’ (fried doughnuts covered in sugar and cinnamon), ‘pão com chouriço’ (bread filled with typical Portuguese chorizo) or roasted octopus.
The schedules for the Faro and Portimão fairs can be found on our website (search for ‘Santa Iria brings ‘magic of tradition’ to Faro’ and ‘Countdown begins for Portimão’s São Martinho fair’). The schedules for the Silves and Lagos fairs have not yet been announced.
