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

Should you visit Faro or Bologna?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Faro or Bologna, 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 nightlife, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Bologna

Bologna is a fun, historical, and culinary city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Faro and Bologna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Bologna?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Bologna than Faro, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Bologna is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Faro is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Faro is more touristy than Bologna and is popular for its historical sights and rich culture. Bologna is well known for its Terracota buildings, large international student population, and being the birthplace of Bolognaise pasta. Also, Bologna is famous for Piazza Maggiore.

How is Faro different from Bologna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bologna is a nice place to visit for its historical sights. However, Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

Bologna is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It has many historical and religious landmarks, active squares, and impressive museums including the Basilica of St. Petronius, St. Stephen Basilica, the Leaning Towers, and the Portico of the Madonna di San Luca.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bologna 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, Bologna is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Foodies will appreciate the city's well earned culinary reputation. Some people even consider Bologna to be a food capital in Italy. There are cooking classes and food tours around town, as well as many great restaurants that serve up local dishes. Visitors should try Tagliatelle with Ragu (now famously known around the world as Bolognaise), Tortellini in broth, and Mortadella (salami).

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 Bologna Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is excellent in both Faro and Bologna.

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.

Bologna has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The young population that is filled with international students means that the city has a fun and active nightlife scene. Some of the city's best neighborhoods for nightlife include Centro Storico, where the tourists hang out, the University District, which is perfect for students in their 20s, and Via dell'Indipendenza, which is popular for an upscale evening out.

Is Faro or Bologna Better for Resorts?

Faro is a world-class destination for its resorts. However, Bologna 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.

Bologna is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Bologna Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is very good for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Bologna 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.

Bologna is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Bologna Better for Beaches?

Faro is very good for the beach. However, Bologna 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.

Bologna is not a beach destination.

Is Faro or Bologna Better for its Old Town?

Bologna 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 Bologna to see the historical old town. The old town is filled with Terracota buildings, which give the city its nickname, La Rossa (The Red).

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 Bologna?

Bologna 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 Bologna. The city hosts regular open-air markets where you can pick up local produce or local items. It is among the best shopping destinations in the region. For some of the city's best shopping, head to Piazza Maggiore, Mercato di Mezzo, Mercato delle Erbe, or Via Rizzoli.

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 Bologna Better for Families?

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

Bologna offers lots of family activities. There are kid-friendly museums such as Museo Geologico Cappellini and the interactive history museum of Museo della Storia di Bologna. There's even a museum solely dedicated to gelato - Gelato at Carpigiani Museum. If your kids need a bit of time in nature, check out Dulcamara farm or the Botanic Garden. On the weekend you many be able to catch a show at Margherita's Puppet Theatre.

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 Bologna Better for Couples?

Faro and Bologna are both notable 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.

Bologna makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With beautiful museums, interesting architecture. and lively squares, this is a great city for a couple's holiday. It's filled with romance, but it has less tourist crowds than some of Italy's more popular cities.

Is Faro or Bologna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bologna is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for backpackers.

Bologna is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's not a popular as some of the other cities in Italy and Europe, but it still has a number of hostels and a good backpacker scene.

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 Bologna Better for Students?

Bologna is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Faro is not popular with students.

Bologna is a great destination for students. It's a top study abroad destination in Italy and is home to a few great universities including the well ranked University of Bologna. There are many great activities for students and a variety of fun places to explore.

Faro is not popular with students.

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

Faro and Bologna 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.

Bologna has a few public transit options. There is an efficient and reliable bus system.

Is Faro or Bologna a more walkable city?

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

Bologna is very walkable. Most sights are always within a 30 minute walk, and the city itself 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 Bologna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bologna or Faro?

How long in Faro or Bologna?

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

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

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

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

One day in Faro or Bologna?

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 food and shopping when visiting the destination of Bologna. 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 Bologna?

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.

Bologna is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. 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 Bologna?

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 museums and nightlife around the fun destination of Bologna. This city 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 Bologna?

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 fun city of Bologna 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 Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Faro or Bologna?

Bologna has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Faro and Bologna, 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 Bologna?

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 Bologna in the Summer?

Both Bologna and Faro during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Faro for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Bologna because of the family-friendly experiences.

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

In Bologna, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Faro. In the summer, Faro often gets more sunshine than Bologna. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 316 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in July than Bologna. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Bologna in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Bologna. The autumn months attract visitors to Faro because of the shopping scene. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bologna this time of year.

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

In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Bologna during autumn. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Bologna receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Faro usually receives less rain than Bologna. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Faro or Bologna in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Faro as well as Bologna. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Bologna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bologna. In the winter, Faro is much warmer than Bologna. Typically, the winter temperatures in Faro in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Bologna averages at about 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Faro often gets more sunshine than Bologna. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 105 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Bologna. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Bologna in the Spring?

Both Bologna and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Faro for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to Bologna in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Faro is generally a little warmer than Bologna. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 17°C (62°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Bologna during spring. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Faro usually receives less rain than Bologna. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bologna and Faro