A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Arachova vs. Faro for Food, Nightlife, Old Town, and Families

Should you visit Arachova or Faro?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Arachova or Faro, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Arachova

Arachova is a beautiful, outdoorsy, and bustling town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Faro

Faro is a popular, busy, and active resort town. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Arachova and Faro: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Arachova or Faro?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Arachova. Although Arachova and Faro are both popular with visitors, Arachova has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Arachova is more popular for its skiing, museums, food, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm, while Faro is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Arachova is popular for its surrounding mountain beauty, festive Christmas atmosphere, and nearby winter skiing. It is also home to Mount Parnassus Ski Resort. Faro is popular for its historical sights and rich culture.

How is Arachova different from Faro?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Faro and Arachova. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Arachova or Faro Better for Skiing?

Arachova is a nice place to visit for skiing. However, Faro is not a skiing destination.

Arachova is a great destination for skiing with plenty areas to explore. The Parnassos Ski Resort is located just 24 kilometers from town and offers skiing that is beautiful and fun. There are spectacular views and the area has gained popularity in recent years. There are lessons for kids and many other fun winter activities nearby.

Faro is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Arachova or Faro?

Arachova is a nice place to visit for its historical sights. However, Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

Arachova is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are some interesting sights in the surrounding area, as well as the unique Ai Giorgis Church near town.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Arachova or Faro? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Arachova is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Faro is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Arachova. The town is filled with old tavernas that serve up traditional local cuisine. You'll find a lot of the local cheese, formaela, as well as a local noodle dish called hilopites. Pork ribs and delicate desserts are also popular.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Faro. It has become a major tourist town, so you have to get a bit creative to find a more traditional restaurant. Look for fresh seafood like cod, monkfish, or shellfish if you want some local flavors.

Is Arachova or Faro Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Arachova and Faro.

Arachova is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. There are many charming bars around town that stay open late into the night. During the popular winter months, you'll find the streets filled with people that come for the unique winter atmosphere.

Many people head to Faro for the nightlife scene. The city's bustling party scene thrives along Rua de São Pedro, Rua Conselheiro Bívar, and Rua do Prior.

Is Arachova or Faro Better for Resorts?

Faro is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Arachova is not a resort destination.

Faro offers an unforgettable resort vacation. Popular resorts include Vila Vita Parc Resort and Spa, Conrad Algarve, and Tivoli Carvoeiro.

Arachova is not a resort destination.

Is Arachova or Faro Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a nice place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Arachova is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Faro has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are both snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities in the area. It's possible to snorkel off of several beaches or arrange a scuba diving excursion with a local dive shop.

Arachova is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Arachova or Faro Better for Beaches?

Faro is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Arachova is not a beach destination.

Faro has a beach worth visiting. The most popular beach in the area is Faro Beach. It can get crowded during the summer months but if you walk a bit you can often get away from the crowds. To reach the beach you'll need a car or you can take the bus as the beach is about 10 km away.

Arachova is not a beach destination.

Is Arachova or Faro Better for its Old Town?

Arachova is great for its historic old town. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its old town.

Many visitors go to Arachova to see the historical old town. The charming old town is at its best during the Christmas season when there are decorations around the town square and the streets are filled with people.

Many people head to Faro to see the old town. You'll find historic buildings and cobblestone streets in the old town. It's a nice place to explore, grab a bite to eat, and do a little shopping.

Is Arachova or Faro Better for Hiking?

Arachova is great for hiking. However, Faro is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Arachova for the hiking trails. For the best outdoor activities, head to nearby Mount Parnassos, where there's skiing and snowboarding during the winter months and beautiful hikes through the mountainous terrain during the summer months.

Faro is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Arachova or Faro?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Faro and Arachova.

Arachova is a great destination for shopping. The charming town has many unique shops that sell carpets, woven goods, and local food items.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Faro. The town isn't as big as some others, so it's shopping scene isn't as comprehensive, but you will find the major brands as well as souvenir shops to peruse when you need a break from the beach.

Is Arachova or Faro Better for Families?

Arachova is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Faro is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Arachova is a very family-friendly destination. The charming town has long served as a winter escape for those living in Athens. There's plenty for kids to do including and ice skating rink, a horse ranch, and even nearby skiing.

Faro is not the most family-friendly destination. There are some nice nature reserves in the area so kids who love wildlife will enjoy a visit.

Is Arachova or Faro Better for Couples?

Arachova is great for romance. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its romantic activities.

Arachova is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. It's a romantic setting with nice accommodation, delicious local taverns, and plenty of unique activities that couples can enjoy.

Faro makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With the beautiful natural areas and historic old town, this seaport makes a nice couples vacation.

Is Arachova or Faro Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Faro is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Arachova is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Faro. The are some good hostels in the area, but it's a bit tricky to get around without a car.

Arachova is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most backpackers don't think to visit this area on their trip to Greece. There are some guesthouses, but not a lot of hostels, so you might find a limited number of social activities.

Is Arachova or Faro Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Arachova and Faro.

You'll find some public transit in Arachova, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are some public buses in the area.

While Faro offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses that connect the city to the beach, the airport, and other outlying areas.

Is Arachova or Faro a more walkable city?

Arachova and Faro both are good when exploring on foot.

Arachova is somewhat walkable. The town has many walkable streets that are fun to explore on foot.

Faro is a somewhat walkable place. The city's old town is particularly walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Arachova Worth Visiting? and Is Faro Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Faro or Arachova?

How long in Arachova or Faro?

In either Arachova or Faro, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Faro than Arachova because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Arachova, and 2-5 days is enough time in Faro.

Families should spend more time in Arachova than Faro. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Arachova, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Arachova than Faro. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Arachova that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Faro than Arachova if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Faro.

One day in Arachova or Faro?

Visitors enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the destination of Arachova. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

The resort town of Faro offers nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Arachova or Faro?

Arachova is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Faro is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this resort town makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Faro, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Arachova or Faro?

You'll find food and shopping around the bustling destination of Arachova. This town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Faro is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Faro, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Arachova or Faro?

The beautiful town of Arachova offers shopping and museums. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Faro is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This resort town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Greece, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Greece, The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arachova and Faro, we can see that Faro is more expensive. And not only is Arachova much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Arachova would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Arachova and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Faro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Faro than you might in Arachova.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arachova Expensive? and Is Faro Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Arachova or Faro?

Faro has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Arachova. When comparing the sizes of Arachova and Faro, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Arachova or Faro?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Arachova or Faro in the Summer?

Both Faro and Arachova during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Arachova because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Faro this time of year.

Arachova is around the same temperature as Faro in the summer. The daily temperature in Arachova averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Faro fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Arachova. In the summer, Arachova often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Faro. Arachova gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Faro receives 374 hours of full sun.

Arachova usually gets more rain in July than Faro. Arachova gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Faro receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arachova or Faro in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Arachova and Faro. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Arachova this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Faro for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Arachova is around the same temperature as Faro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Arachova in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Faro averages at about 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Faro this time of the year. In Arachova, it's very sunny this time of the year. Arachova usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Faro during autumn. Arachova gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Faro receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Arachova usually receives less rain than Faro. Arachova gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Faro receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Arachova or Faro in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Arachova as well as Faro. Many travelers come to Arachova for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Faro in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In January, Arachova is generally cooler than Faro. Daily temperatures in Arachova average around 10°C (51°F), and Faro fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the winter, Arachova often gets less sunshine than Faro. Arachova gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Faro receives 161 hours of full sun.

Arachova usually gets less rain in January than Faro. Arachova gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Faro receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arachova or Faro in the Spring?

Both Faro and Arachova are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Arachova in the spring for the small town charm. Also, most visitors come to Faro for the beaches during these months.

Arachova is around the same temperature as Faro in the spring. The daily temperature in Arachova averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Faro fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Faro. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arachova. Arachova usually receives less sunshine than Faro during spring. Arachova gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Faro receives 248 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Arachova usually receives less rain than Faro. Arachova gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Faro receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Faro and Arachova