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

Should you visit Faro or Amsterdam?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Faro or Amsterdam, 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.

Faro

Faro is a busy, active, and popular resort town. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a canal-lined, party-oriented, and laid-back city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and live music.

Faro and Amsterdam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Amsterdam?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Amsterdam. Although Faro and Amsterdam are popular destinations, Amsterdam has more sights and attractions for tourists. Amsterdam is very popular for its museums, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Faro attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Amsterdam is more touristy than Faro and is popular for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. It is also well known for The Rijksmuseum. Faro is famous for its historical sights and rich culture.

How is Faro different from Amsterdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Amsterdam is great for its historical sights. However, Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Amsterdam can be an interesting and educational experience. The city has a number of sights and museums including the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Royal Palace. The world renowned Rijksmuseum is a must see for any art enthusiast. There are also many smaller, lesser known museums that are well worth a visit.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Faro and Amsterdam offer a number of reasonable restaurants to choose from.

Faro offers some easy restaurants to choose from. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Amsterdam. Food is expensive in this city, particularly in the touristy areas. There are some markets that sell great local items and the dessert cafes are awesome!

Is Faro or Amsterdam Better for Nightlife?

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

Amsterdam is a world class party destination. The city has some of the best nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of bars, dance clubs, and other activities that you can enjoy throughout the night.

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 Faro or Amsterdam Better for Music?

Amsterdam is a must-visit destination for live music. However, Faro is not a live music destination.

Amsterdam is known as a music capital around the world. The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.

Faro is not a live music destination.

Is Faro or Amsterdam Better for Resorts?

Faro is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Amsterdam 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.

Amsterdam is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Amsterdam Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Amsterdam 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.

Amsterdam is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Amsterdam Better for Beaches?

Faro is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Amsterdam 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.

Amsterdam is not a beach destination.

Is Faro or Amsterdam Better for its Old Town?

Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam to see the historical old town. The old city center is one of the best preserved in Europe. It's enclosed by canals and has many historic churches, plazas, and buildings.

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 Faro or Amsterdam?

Amsterdam is great for shopping. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Amsterdam. For the best shopping in town, head to the Nine Streets area in the historic district and the two main shopping streets of The Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat.

Faro offers some nice shopping areas. 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 Faro or Amsterdam Better for Families?

Neither Faro nor Amsterdam are considered to be the most family-friendly destination.

For families, Faro is not always the best place to visit. There are some nice nature reserves in the area so kids who love wildlife will enjoy a visit.

Amsterdam is not the most family-friendly destination. The city does it's share of partying, and there are some areas, like the red light district, that aren't exactly kid-friendly, but there are some nice parks, playgrounds, and the impressive NEMO Science Museum that you can explore.

Is Faro or Amsterdam Better for Couples?

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

Amsterdam is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. For many, a visit to this city is all about the party, but for couples who enjoy history, architecture, or boat rides along the scenic canals, the city also makes a great getaway. It's also fun to stay in a houseboat and have a unique experience.

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 Faro or Amsterdam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam. With it's party-hard personality and countless low price hostels, this city attracts its share of backpackers. Do note that many of the hostels aren't focused on quality, so make sure you understand what you're paying for. It may be worth booking a slightly more expensive room in a hotel.

Faro is a good resort town 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 Faro or Amsterdam Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Amsterdam is a must-visit destination 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.

Amsterdam has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The city has metros, trams, buses, and ferries that help you get around. Since this is the Netherlands, getting around by bike is very popular.

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

Is Faro or Amsterdam a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is a must-visit destination for its walkability. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its high level of walkability.

Amsterdam is a very easy city to get around on foot. The historic parts of the city are very walkable and much of the city is best explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Amsterdam or Faro?

How long in Faro or Amsterdam?

Both Faro and Amsterdam have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Amsterdam than in Faro. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Faro, and 2-7 days is enough time in Amsterdam.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam.

One day in Faro or Amsterdam?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the resort town of Faro. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Amsterdam 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.

A weekend in Faro or Amsterdam?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the busy destination of Faro. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this resort town has to offer. This resort town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Amsterdam 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.

Five days in Faro or Amsterdam?

You'll find nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling around the busy resort town of Faro. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this resort town makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this resort town has to offer.

Amsterdam is a laid-back 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.

A week in Faro or Amsterdam?

Faro is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Amsterdam is a canal-lined 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Faro and Amsterdam, we can see that Amsterdam is more expensive. And not only is Faro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Faro would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Faro 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 Amsterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amsterdam than you might in Faro.

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

Which is Bigger, Faro or Amsterdam?

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

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 Faro or Amsterdam in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Faro as well as Amsterdam. The summer months attract visitors to Faro because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year.

In the summer, Faro is much warmer than Amsterdam. Typically, the summer temperatures in Faro in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Amsterdam averages at about 17°C (62°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Amsterdam. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Faro this time of the year. In the summer, Faro often gets more sunshine than Amsterdam. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 204 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in July than Amsterdam. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Amsterdam in the Autumn?

Both Amsterdam and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Amsterdam for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Faro is generally much warmer than Amsterdam. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 20°C (68°F), and Amsterdam fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Amsterdam during autumn. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Amsterdam receives 99 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Faro usually receives around the same amount of rain as Amsterdam. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Faro or Amsterdam in the Winter?

Both Amsterdam and Faro during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Faro for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Amsterdam in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Amsterdam can get quite cold in the winter. Faro is much warmer than Amsterdam in the winter. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Amsterdam fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Faro often gets more sunshine than Amsterdam. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 46 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets more rain in January than Amsterdam. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Amsterdam in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Amsterdam. Many visitors come to Faro in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Amsterdam for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Faro is much warmer than Amsterdam. Typically, the spring temperatures in Faro in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Amsterdam averages at about 8°C (46°F).

In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Amsterdam during spring. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Amsterdam receives 166 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Faro usually receives less rain than Amsterdam. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Amsterdam and Faro