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

Should you visit Athens or Faro?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Athens and Faro. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Athens

Athens is a energetic, historic, and ancient city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Athens is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Athens travel costs.

Faro

Faro is a active, popular, and busy resort town. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Faro travel costs.

Athens and Faro: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Faro?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Athens than Faro, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Athens is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Faro is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Athens is well known for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. Also, Athens is famous for The Acropolis. Faro is well known for its historical sights and rich culture.

The Acropolis

How is Athens different from Faro?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Athens is a must-visit destination for its historical sights. However, Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Athens from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. As a historical capital of the world, this city has countless museums and archeological sites including the famous Acropolis, the National Archaeology Museum, and the Ancient Agora.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Athens is a must-visit destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Faro is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Athens is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Make sure you try the souvlaki, moussaka, and dolmades at any of the many local restaurants throughout the city.

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 Athens or Faro Better for Nightlife?

Athens is a must-visit destination for nightlife. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for nightlife and partying.

Athens is a world class party destination. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.

Faro has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city's bustling party scene thrives along Rua de São Pedro, Rua Conselheiro Bívar, and Rua do Prior.

Is Athens or Faro Better for Resorts?

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

Vacationers flock to Faro for its luxury resorts. Popular resorts include Vila Vita Parc Resort and Spa, Conrad Algarve, and Tivoli Carvoeiro.

Athens is not a resort destination.

Is Athens or Faro Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Athens is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Faro. 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.

Athens is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Athens or Faro Better for Beaches?

Faro is a good destination for the beach. However, Athens is not a beach destination.

Faro offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Athens is not a beach destination.

Is Athens or Faro Better for its Old Town?

Athens is a must-visit destination for its historic old town. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its old town.

The rich history of Athens can be explored in its historical center. The city's "historic triangle" is between Syntagma, Omonia, and Monastiraki Squares. This area is also at the political and financial heart of the city.

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 the Shopping Better in Athens or Faro?

If you're looking to go shopping, Athens and Faro both offer plenty of notable spots.

Athens has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Most neighborhoods have a shopping street but head to Ermou Street for some of the city's best shopping.

Faro is a great destination for shopping. 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 Athens or Faro More Beautiful?

Athens is a nice place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Faro is not a destination known for its beauty.

Athens is a gorgeous place to visit. With it's stunning archaeological sites, Athens is most beautiful at night, when things light up.

Faro is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Athens or Faro Better for Families?

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

Athens is a very family-friendly destination. With its rich history, beautiful outdoor activities, and kid-friendly food, Athens is a fun place to explore with the whole family.

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 Athens or Faro Better for Couples?

Athens and Faro both notable destinations for a couple.

Athens is a good city for couples to visit. The city is historical, fascinating, and romantic, making it a beautiful place to explore as a couple.

Faro is a nice destination for couples. With the beautiful natural areas and historic old town, this seaport makes a nice couples vacation.

Is Athens or Faro Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Athens. The city has long been established as a backpackers destination with budget friendly food and plenty of hostels around town.

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

Is Athens or Faro Better for Students?

Athens is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Faro is not popular with students.

Athens is a great city to visit as a student. International students will appreciate the rich history, archaeological ruins, and unique opportunities that are available here.

Faro is not popular with students.

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

Athens is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its public transit.

Public transit in Athens is fairly effecient and thorough. The city's metro system has 3 lines that connect to bus, tram and commuter rail lines.

Faro has a few public transit options. There are buses that connect the city to the beach, the airport, and other outlying areas.

Is Athens or Faro a more walkable city?

Athens is great for its walkability. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its high level of walkability.

Athens is very walkable. You'll find the city's most walkable area's in the historical heart, where there are many pedestrian only streets and shopping areas.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Faro or Athens?

How long in Athens or Faro?

In either Athens or Faro, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Athens than Faro because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Athens, and 2-5 days is enough time in Faro.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Athens than Faro 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 Athens.

One day in Athens or Faro?

Athens is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Faro. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Athens or Faro?

Athens is a fun place to experience. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Faro is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Athens or Faro?

Athens is a energetic big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Faro. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Athens or Faro?

Athens is a energetic city where you can fill many days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the popular destination of Faro. This resort town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal.

When comparing the travel costs between Athens and Faro, we can see that Faro is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or Faro?

Athens has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Athens 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 Athens or Faro?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Athens or Faro in the Summer?

Both Faro and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Athens in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Faro for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Athens is around the same temperature as Faro. Typically, the summer temperatures in Athens in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Faro averages at about 25°C (78°F).

It's quite sunny in Faro. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Faro during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Faro receives 374 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Athens usually receives more rain than Faro. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Faro receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Athens or Faro in the Autumn?

Both Faro and Athens during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Athens for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Faro because of the shopping scene.

In October, Athens is generally around the same temperature as Faro. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 19°C (67°F), and Faro fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Athens. In the autumn, Athens often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Faro. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Faro receives 222 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in October than Faro. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Faro receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Faro in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Faro. The winter months attract visitors to Athens because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Faro this time of year.

Athens is cooler than Faro in the winter. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Faro fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Athens usually receives less sunshine than Faro during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Faro receives 161 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Athens usually receives less rain than Faro. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Faro receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Athens or Faro in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Athens as well as Faro. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Athens this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Faro for the beaches.

In the spring, Athens is around the same temperature as Faro. Typically, the spring temperatures in Athens in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Faro averages at about 17°C (62°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the spring, Athens often gets less sunshine than Faro. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Faro receives 248 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in April than Faro. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Faro receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Faro and Athens