A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Faro vs. Belfast for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Faro or Belfast?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Faro or Belfast, 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 popular, busy, and active resort town. It's also known for nightlife, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Belfast

Belfast is a affordable, under-rated, and authentic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife and shopping.

Faro and Belfast: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Belfast?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Faro. Although Faro and Belfast are both popular with visitors, Faro has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Faro is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and historical sights, while Belfast is known for its big city activities. Faro is more touristy than Belfast and is popular for its historical sights and rich culture. It is also home to The Arco da Vila. Belfast is popular for being the birthplace of the Titanic and the location of the era of the "Troubles".

How is Faro different from Belfast?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Faro and Belfast offer a number of decent 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 Belfast. While many restaurants have moved towards more modern cuisines, there are still places that hold tight to the traditions of the area. Traditional dishes include pasties, full Irish breakfasts, and oysters.

Is Faro or Belfast Better for Nightlife?

Faro is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Faro offers plenty to do in the evening. The city's bustling party scene thrives along Rua de São Pedro, Rua Conselheiro Bívar, and Rua do Prior.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Belfast. The city has a number of bars and clubs with local DJs or musicians.

Is Faro or Belfast Better for Resorts?

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

Belfast is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Belfast Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a nice place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Belfast 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.

Belfast is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Belfast Better for Beaches?

Faro is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Belfast 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.

Belfast is not a beach destination.

Is Faro or Belfast Better for its Old Town?

Faro is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Belfast does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Faro to see the historical 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.

Belfast does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Faro or Belfast?

If you're looking to go shopping, Faro and Belfast both offer plenty of good 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.

Belfast offers some nice shopping areas. The main shopping areas in the city are Victoria Square Shopping Centre and CastleCourt.

Is Faro or Belfast Better for Families?

Belfast is a nice place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Faro is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Belfast offers lots of family activities. The city has several great kid-friendly museums, a zoo, and a few indoor or outdoor activity centers where you can let kids play and explore.

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 Faro or Belfast Better for Couples?

Faro is a nice place to visit for romance. However, Belfast is not a good city for its romantic activities.

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

Most people don't think of Belfast as a couple's destination. There are gardens and parks to explore, several nice hotels with spas, and an Observatory on the 23rd floor of the Grand Central Hotel.

Is Faro or Belfast Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Faro is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Belfast is not a good city 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.

Belfast is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's a reasonably affordable destination with a few hostels to choose from, but most backpackers don't make their way to this city.

Is Faro or Belfast Better for Students?

Belfast is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Faro is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Belfast. The city's affordability has made it a popular option for international students headed to the area.

Faro is not popular with students.

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

Faro is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Belfast is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Belfast. There is a bus service in the city.

Is Faro or Belfast a more walkable city?

Faro and Belfast are good when it comes to walkability.

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

Belfast is a somewhat walkable place.

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

Should I spend more time in Belfast or Faro?

How long in Faro or Belfast?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Faro and Belfast. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Faro than in Belfast. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Faro, and 1-3 days is enough time in Belfast.

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

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

In Faro, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This resort town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Belfast. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Faro or Belfast?

In Faro, you'll find nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Faro has to offer.

Belfast is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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 Belfast?

Faro is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Faro has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the under-rated destination of Belfast. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Faro or Belfast?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Faro. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Faro. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

The under-rated city of Belfast offers nightlife and shopping. 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 Budget Tours to United Kingdom, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Faro and Belfast, we can see that Belfast 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 Belfast would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Belfast 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 Belfast Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Faro or Belfast?

Belfast has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Faro and Belfast, 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 Belfast?

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 Belfast in the Summer?

Both Belfast and Faro during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Faro because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Belfast this time of year.

Faro is much warmer than Belfast in the summer. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Belfast fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

It's quite sunny in Faro. In the summer, Faro often gets more sunshine than Belfast. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Belfast receives 151 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in July than Belfast. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Belfast in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Belfast. The shopping scene are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Belfast for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Faro is much warmer than Belfast. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Faro in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Belfast averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Belfast during autumn. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Belfast receives 92 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Faro usually receives less rain than Belfast. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Faro or Belfast in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Faro as well as Belfast. Many travelers come to Faro for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Belfast in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Belfast can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Faro is generally much warmer than Belfast. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 12°C (54°F), and Belfast fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Faro often gets more sunshine than Belfast. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Belfast receives 50 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Belfast. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Belfast in the Spring?

Both Belfast and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Faro in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Belfast for the activities around the city during these months.

Faro is much warmer than Belfast in the spring. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Belfast fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Belfast during spring. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Belfast receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Faro usually receives less rain than Belfast. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Belfast and Faro