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

Should you visit Faro or Bilbao?

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

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

Bilbao

Bilbao is a friendly, industrial, and authentic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, shopping, and museums.

Faro and Bilbao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Bilbao?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bilbao. Although Faro and Bilbao are popular destinations, Bilbao has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bilbao is very popular for its museums, shopping, and big city activities, while Faro attracts visitors for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Faro is more touristy than Bilbao and is popular for its historical sights and rich culture. Bilbao is famous for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks. It is also well known for The Guggenheim Museum.

How is Faro different from Bilbao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bilbao 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 Bilbao can be an interesting and educational experience. A favorite museum in town is the popular Guggenheim Museum. From its iconic building to the unique exhibits, this is a must-see stop during your visit. Other highlights around town include the Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, the Museo Vasco, as well as the city's unique bridges.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Faro is a resort town with a few options for its restaurant scene. However, Bilbao is not a culinary destination.

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.

Bilbao is not a culinary destination. The food scene is among the best in Spain. The city has several world renowned restaurants, including a few Michelin-starred restaurants, but there are also smaller eateries that cater to the locals and tourists alike. Make sure you try the pintxos, which are small dishes that are the Basque region's answer to tapas. Many include seafood and are cooked with olive oil and garlic.

Is Faro or Bilbao Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is great in both Faro and Bilbao.

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.

Bilbao has plenty to do after the sun goes down. There's a great late night scene that centers around eating and drinking. There are lively nightclubs, a good live music scene, and no shortage of people heading out on the town.

Is Faro or Bilbao Better for Resorts?

Faro is an amazing resort town to visit for its resorts. However, Bilbao 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.

Bilbao is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Bilbao Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a good destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Bilbao 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.

Bilbao is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Bilbao Better for Beaches?

Faro is a good destination for the beache. However, Bilbao 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.

Bilbao is not a beach destination.

Is Faro or Bilbao Better for its Old Town?

Faro and Bilbao both have nice historical old towns that attract visitors.

Faro is a good destination for visiting its 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.

Many people head to Bilbao to see the old town. The old town, often called Casco Viejo, is filled with historic architecture, great local bars, and some interesting shopping.

Is the Shopping Better in Faro or Bilbao?

Bilbao 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 Bilbao. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.

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 Bilbao Better for Families?

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

Bilbao offers lots of family activities. The city offers some great museums such as the Guggenheim Museum. Families will also enjoy taking a ride of the Artxander Funicular, and exploring Mercado de la Ribera. You can also enjoy walking around Park Abandoibarra and exploring the creative sculptures.

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 Bilbao Better for Couples?

Faro and Bilbao are both nice to visit 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.

Bilbao makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city is filled with a vibrant enjoy with parks and outdoor strolls that couples will enjoy. There are also many great museums and romantic restaurants as well as some great shopping streets.

Is Faro or Bilbao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Faro and Bilbao are nice places to visit.

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.

Bilbao is a good resort town to visit for backpackers. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and a good social scene that makes it easy to meet other backpackers.

Is Faro or Bilbao Better for Students?

Bilbao 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 Bilbao. This is a popular study abroad destination with many great museums and educational opportunities for international students.

Faro is not popular with students.

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

Bilbao 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 Bilbao is fairly effecient and thorough. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

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 Bilbao a more walkable city?

Faro and Bilbao are nice when it comes to walkability.

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

Bilbao is a somewhat walkable place. It's a fairly walkable city with several pedestrian-friendly areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Bilbao or Faro?

How long in Faro or Bilbao?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Faro than Bilbao. 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 Bilbao 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 Bilbao.

One day in Faro or Bilbao?

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.

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bilbao. 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 Bilbao?

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.

Bilbao 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 Bilbao?

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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the authentic destination of Bilbao. 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 Bilbao?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the active 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.

The friendly city of Bilbao offers museums and nightlife. 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 G Adventures Tours to Spain, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid.

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

Which is Bigger, Faro or Bilbao?

Bilbao has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Faro and Bilbao, 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 Bilbao?

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 Bilbao in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Faro as well as Bilbao. Many travelers come to Faro for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Bilbao in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Faro is a little warmer than Bilbao. Typically, the summer temperatures in Faro in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Bilbao averages at about 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Faro this time of the year. In the summer, Faro often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in July than Bilbao. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Bilbao in the Autumn?

Both Bilbao and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Faro in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Bilbao for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Faro is generally a little warmer than Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 20°C (68°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during autumn. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 125 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. In October, Faro usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Faro or Bilbao in the Winter?

Both Bilbao and Faro during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Faro for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the museums and the shopping scene.

Faro is a little warmer than Bilbao in the winter. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Bilbao fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Faro often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 77 hours of full sun.

Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Faro usually gets less rain in January than Bilbao. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Bilbao in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Bilbao. The spring months attract visitors to Faro because of the beaches. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year.

In the spring, Faro is a little warmer than Bilbao. Typically, the spring temperatures in Faro in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Bilbao averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during spring. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 117 hours of full sun in the spring.

Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Faro usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bilbao and Faro