Most people on a flight to Faro have no intention of spending any time there and to a large extent that's understandable when you consider the riches that lie within just a few kilometres of this busy airport hub. Faro is the largest city in the Algarve and serves as the gateway to Portugal's most famous holiday region and some of the most stunning coastline in southern Europe.

The Algarve has a great range of holiday options from cheap and cheerful self catering to 5-star luxury; from lively Brit-dominated nightlife to sophisticated luxury resorts. There really is something for everyone and, from the UK, it's all accessible with a two-and-a-half hour flight. Faro airport copes admirably with the strain of this demand serving flights from Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Belfast, Newcastle and London.

When to go
Faro and the Algarve as a whole have a very typical southern European climate, meaning that in June, July and August it can get very, very hot indeed, upwards of 35 degrees in fact. And inevitably this is when flights to Faro are at their most expensive. It is possible to get cheap flights to Faro throughout the summer but only if you manage to catch one of the budget airlines such as Easyjet releasing their summer schedule and you book well in advance. Throughout the rest of the year however including the shoulder months of April, May, September and October great value airfares are available from a range of airlines including British Airways, Easyjet, BMI Baby, Monarch and Air Portugal, not to mention the charter flights of the main tour operators.

Where to head for
If it's lively nightlife that you're after and down to earth good value accommodation then Albufeira is the place for you, it's located just a few kilometres west of Faro. Flights from the UK are full of people heading to this old fishing village so you'll certainly not be on your own if you are heading that way. If, like many, golf is your passion then head for one of the dedicated estates like Vilamoura or Vale do Lobo where world class golf courses entertain thousands of enthusiasts every year. Or if you're just after 5 star luxury head for a top class hotel like the Algarve Sheraton or San Lorenzo for a bit of upmarket pampering.

With so much choice it's essential to shop around to make sure you get a really cheap flight to Faro. Let dealchecker.co.uk help you get the best deal.