From café meetups to adventures in the Ria Formosa, a group of women is transforming Faro into a city of real connections and shared experiences.
WORDS Gabriella Pawlowski
PHOTOGRAPHY Lara Goulart
For years, Faro was known simply as the “gateway” to the Algarve – a stopover for two or three days before heading to the region’s famous beaches. But those who do linger will discover a city that goes far beyond a standard tourist checklist.
As summer gradually waves goodbye, the Algarve’s capital shifts in pace and scenery. Rolling suitcases still echo along the cobblestone streets, yet new people, ideas and projects begin to emerge. Young Portuguese and international newcomers arrive to study, work, or simply start a new chapter – united by one shared goal: finding community and meaningful connections.
Loneliness, social media and new beginnings: a match?
At first glance, life in Faro may seem peaceful: a marina, a main street, a bandstand, a beach … but for newcomers arriving alone, courage is needed to uncover the city’s hidden gems. Social media may romanticise this stage, but the reality is different: making friends, exploring new places, and feeling safe in an unfamiliar city requires initiative – and often comes with a bit of fear.
It was in this context that Brazilian Lara Goulart, from Curitiba, arrived in Faro in 2022. At 18, she landed with high expectations but also the typical insecurities of starting life abroad.
A Brazil-Algarve connection: Lara’s journey
Three years later, Lara graduated in Communication Sciences from the University of Algarve. Today, she works as a freelance social media professional and has collaborated with standout restaurants led by chef Rui Sequeira, including Monky, Karpa and Alameda – the latter recognised by the Michelin Guide.
From newly arrived student to integrated professional, Lara found Faro to be a place to grow – and to transform. She realised that social media isn’t just for posting pretty pictures or collecting likes; it can also build real, welcoming communities. From this simple idea, jotted down in an iPhone note, came the project that would change her life and the lives of countless other women: The Social Girly Club.
From iphone notes to real life
In 2025, as new businesses and initiatives began sprouting in the city, Lara decided to test her idea. She created a WhatsApp group to organise casual meetups with friends, imagining 10 or 15 participants.
The outcome? A thriving community of more than 200 women on WhatsApp and Instagram. Meetups range from beach picnics and cosy café afternoons to rooftop gatherings overlooking the Ria Formosa.
“More than 200 women have found in The Social Girly Club a safe space to socialise and connect, without fear of being judged for their tastes, appearance or nationality.”
The next event will be a stand-up paddle morning in the Ria Formosa, paddling among small islets and migratory birds.
“I like to organise classic activities, like meeting in cafés, but also experiences that encourage the girls to step out of their comfort zones and try something new – especially alongside people who share the same interests,” says Lara.
From 10 friends to 200 women
According to Lara, the group is diverse: women aged 16 to 45 who want to explore the city and try new things but feel hesitant to go alone or fear judgment. The club exists exactly for that: to welcome, support and bring people together.
“In the early years, I always went out with the same small groups, never expanding my horizons. That made it easy to think Faro was a dull city. Yet, I fell in love with it. The club was created to change that: a space where women support each other, interact, network and have fun without rivalry – because there’s already too much of that in the world,” she explains.
For some participants, like 20-year-old Faro native Inês Duarte, The Social Girly Club has been a chance to rediscover her own city. She found out about the initiative on social media and realised that even in a city she has always lived in, there’s so much more to explore when you have company.
Amid the uncertainty of changing university courses, the group offered her support, new friendships and inspiration.
The Social Girly Club proves that in Faro, it’s not just about arriving or leaving – it’s about staying, putting down roots, and reinventing the city with every gathering. Because really, what would the world be without women?
How to join?
Meetups are organised via WhatsApp, and the group is active on Instagram @socialgirlyclub. To join, all you need to do is introduce yourself, pick an activity, and show up. Simple as that!
