Dates: November 7–9, 2025
Location: Faro, Portugal
This November, the city of Faro will once again become a meeting point for architecture lovers from Portugal and abroad. The Modernist Weekend — now a highlight of the Algarve’s cultural calendar — celebrates the city’s mid-century architectural heritage through three days of guided tours, open houses, exhibitions, and lively discussions.
Organized by The Modernist Faro in collaboration with Picada Cultural and supported by the Faro Municipality, this event is dedicated to exploring the beauty and value of Portuguese Modernism — a movement that shaped the identity of cities across the country between the 1950s and 1970s.
Picture from TheModernistWeekend.com
A Weekend Dedicated to Modernist Architecture
Throughout the weekend, visitors can explore Faro’s architectural gems — from iconic buildings to lesser-known treasures. The program combines walking tours, private home visits, and art exhibitions that reflect the creative optimism of Portugal’s postwar years.
Participants will walk through the city’s sunlit streets, discover houses that blend geometry and light, and meet the people who are keeping this heritage alive — architects, artists, and historians who share a deep passion for Modernism.
Picture from TheModernistWeekend.com
Event Highlights
Friday, November 7
The opening day begins with a walking tour of Faro’s Modernist buildings led by Chris De Oliveira, co-founder of The Modernist Faro. Another morning tour, The Garden History of Faro, led by landscape professor Sónia Azambuja, explores how garden design evolved alongside architecture.
Later, visitors can step inside some of Faro’s most remarkable homes, such as Casa Gago, guided by architect Victor Hugo Faustino, and the Tridente Building, with Leanne Cloudsdale, founder of Concrete Communities.
In the evening, the focus shifts to art. Two exhibitions open their doors: a photography show on architect Manuel Gomes da Costa and Through the Glass: All Colors, featuring works by Graça Paz and Bruno Grilo at GAMA RAMA Art Gallery, followed by drinks and tapas.
Saturday, November 8
Day two offers more walking tours and discoveries — including From Bauhaus to Beach House on Faro Island and Brutalism Undercover at the University Campus da Penha.
In the afternoon, architect Gonçalo Vargas leads the Roteiro Modernista tour, exploring Rua de Berlim and the Colégio do Alto.
The day ends with a live talk at Club Farense, titled “Modernism + the Algarve: Minority Interest or Public Priority?” — followed by The Modernist Weekend Closing Party, where guests can meet, talk, and dance to DJ music in one of Faro’s historic venues.
Picture from TheModernistWeekend.com
Sunday, November 9
The final morning offers a relaxed chance to revisit the city’s modernist architecture, with additional walking tours and a second chance to visit Casa Gago or join Victor Hugo Faustino’s Manuel Gomes da Costa tour.
A Celebration with a Purpose
Behind this initiative are Angélique and Christophe De Oliveira, founders of The Modernist Faro, a boutique accommodation that celebrates 20th-century architecture. Since moving to Faro in 2018, they have become strong voices for architectural preservation and have helped put the city on the map for design-conscious travelers.
Their goal is not only to celebrate Faro’s modernist buildings but also to inspire dialogue about how to preserve and reuse them for the future. As they put it, “The Modernist Weekend is more than an event — it’s a community.”
Picture from TheModernistWeekend.com
Why It Matters
The Modernist Weekend highlights an important chapter in Portugal’s architectural history. While Lisbon and Porto often attract more attention, Faro’s collection of modernist and brutalist buildings offers a refreshing and southern perspective on the country’s postwar design culture.
From elegant façades and open terraces to carefully designed interiors, these works reveal how Portuguese architects of the 20th century combined Mediterranean climate, modern ideals, and local craftsmanship.
For visitors, the event is a rare opportunity to experience these spaces up close — and to understand the cultural stories behind them.
Practical Information
📍 Location: Various sites around Faro, Algarve, Portugal
🗓️ Dates: November 7–9, 2025
💬 Languages: Most tours are in English; some also in Portuguese
Tickets
Tickets are available now!
Visit The Modernist Faro website or contact the organizers directly for details about tours, exhibitions, and events.
Don’t miss the opportunity to explore Faro through the lens of Modernism — a movement that continues to inspire creativity and innovation today.