In Pre-Roman Portugal, the area was inhabited by the Cynetes (or Conii), a people (formed by several tribes) of linguistic and ethnic affiliation, possibly Celtic or Iberian, whose territory included the modern area of the Beja District.

In part due to the favorable relationship with the Romans, the colonies had some conflicts with the Lusitanians, who under the leadership of Caucenus, the Lusitanian leader before Viriathus, had conquered their territory for some time, including the capital, Conistorgis (whose location is still not known, but is thought to be in modern-day Faro or Castro Marim) in 153 BC.

Partly due to the conflict with the Portuguese (and partly due to the cultural influence of Mediterranean civilizations), unlike many pre-Roman peoples of Portugal, they were allies of the Romans for some time and not their opponents, differing from the attitude of most of the other peoples, such as the Lusitanians who were strong opponents of the Romans.

In the year 552, the current area of Algarve was regained by the Eastern Roman Empire or Byzantine Empire (then governed by Emperor Justinian I), and a government was appointed that lasted until the year 571, when King Liuvigild conquered it for the Visigothic Kingdom.

The subsoil of the district is inhabited by several endemic species unique to Faro, some still just being discovered.