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

Should you visit Faro or Arles?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Faro or Arles, 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 active, popular, and busy resort town. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Arles

Arles is a quaint, historic, and charming town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Faro and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Arles?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Arles than Faro, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Arles is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Faro is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Faro is more touristy than Arles and is popular for its historical sights and rich culture. Arles is well known for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh. Also, Arles is famous for L'Amphithéâtre Romain.

How is Faro different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Arles 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 Arles?

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

Travelers visit Arles from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Arles 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 Arles. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

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 Faro or Arles Better for Nightlife?

Faro is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Faro is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city's bustling party scene thrives along Rua de São Pedro, Rua Conselheiro Bívar, and Rua do Prior.

If you're looking for night time activities Arles has a few options to choose from. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Faro or Arles Better for Resorts?

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

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Faro is a perfect choice. Popular resorts include Vila Vita Parc Resort and Spa, Conrad Algarve, and Tivoli Carvoeiro.

Arles is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Arles Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving 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.

Arles is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Arles Better for Beaches?

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

Many people head to Faro to enjoy the beach. 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.

Arles is not a beach destination.

Is Faro or Arles Better for its Old Town?

Arles 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 Arles can be explored in its historical center. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

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 Arles?

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in 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.

Arles offers some nice shopping areas. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is Faro or Arles Better for Families?

Neither Faro nor Arles 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.

Arles is not the most family-friendly destination. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Faro or Arles Better for Couples?

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

Arles is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

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 Arles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Faro is very good for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Faro is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. The are some good hostels in the area, but it's a bit tricky to get around without a car.

Arles is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and apartments in the area.

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

Faro and Arles both offer notable public transit to get you around.

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.

Arles has a few public transit options. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Is Faro or Arles a more walkable city?

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

Arles is very walkable. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

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 Arles Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arles or Faro?

How long in Faro or Arles?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Faro or Arles to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Faro than Arles because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Faro, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arles.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Faro than Arles 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 Faro or Arles?

In Faro, many people enjoy the nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling that this active destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This resort town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Arles. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Faro or Arles?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Faro. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Arles is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the museums. 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 Arles?

Faro is a fun place to experience. In Faro, many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Arles. This town offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Faro or Arles?

You'll find nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling around the busy destination of Faro. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The historic town of Arles offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Faro and Arles, we can see that Arles 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 Faro Expensive? and Is Arles Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Faro or Arles?

Arles has a larger population, and is about 29% larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Faro and Arles, 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 Arles?

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 Arles in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Faro as well as Arles. Most visitors come to Faro for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Arles because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Faro is generally around the same temperature as Arles. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 25°C (78°F), and Arles fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arles. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Faro this time of the year. In the summer, Faro often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Arles. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in July than Arles. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Arles in the Autumn?

Both Arles and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Faro because of the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Arles this time of year.

Faro is a little warmer than Arles in the autumn. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Arles fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Arles during autumn. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Arles. In October, Faro usually receives less rain than Arles. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Faro or Arles in the Winter?

Both Arles and Faro during the winter are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Arles for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Faro is much warmer than Arles. Typically, the winter temperatures in Faro in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Arles averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Faro often gets more sunshine than Arles. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets more rain in January than Arles. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Arles in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Arles. Many travelers come to Faro for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to Arles in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Faro is generally a little warmer than Arles. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 17°C (62°F), and Arles fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arles this time of the year. In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Arles during spring. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Faro usually receives less rain than Arles. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Arles and Faro