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

Should you visit Faro or Bruges?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Faro or Bruges, 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. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Bruges

Bruges is a historic, charming, and historic city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Faro and Bruges: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Bruges?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Bruges than Faro, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Bruges is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Faro is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Bruges is more touristy than Faro and is known for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. Also, Bruges is famous for Bruges' Markt (The Main Square). Faro is well known for its historical sights and rich culture.

How is Faro different from Bruges?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bruges 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 Bruges can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with charming hidden corners as well as notable landmarks. The main square is Bruges' Markt which is where you'll find the the Belfry Tower. Other must-see sights include the Historium, Groeninge Museum, the Town Hall, and Brugse Vrije Museum.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bruges 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 Bruges. From its world class breweries to its famous chocolate shops, there is plenty to eat and drink around town. In the old town prices can be a bit high, but the dishes and atmosphere are great. Popular local dishes include Belgian waffles, fries, mussels, and beef stew.

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 Bruges Better for Nightlife?

Faro is great for its evening party scene. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Bruges. It's famous for its beer and breweries, so you'll find a number of places to gather in the evening. There is a lack of nightclubs, so if dancing and partying hard is your style, then this may not be your place. The vibes are generally chill and relaxed at night. Most places are concentrated around old town or near Kuipersstraat or Zilverstraat.

Is Faro or Bruges Better for Resorts?

Faro is very popular for its luxury resorts. However, Bruges 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.

Bruges is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Bruges Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Bruges 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.

Bruges is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Bruges Better for Beaches?

Faro is a good destination for the beach. However, Bruges 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.

Bruges is not a beach destination.

Is Faro or Bruges Better for its Old Town?

Bruges 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 Bruges can be explored in its historical center. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.

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 Bruges?

If you're looking to go shopping, Faro and Bruges 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.

Bruges offers some nice shopping areas. The city offers plenty of shopping, whether you're looking for souvenirs, trendy European brands, or local items. It's more geared towards tourists than locals, and you want find the same diversity that you get in some of the larger nearby cities, but you'll find unique lace items and other local goods in the old town. The streets around Markt Square, Steenstraat, Geld Monstraat, and Jakobstraat are the main shopping areas.

Is Faro or Bruges Better for Families?

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

Bruges offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy sampling the unique chocolate around town, eating their fill of waffles, and getting their energy out in the park or at a local playground. There are also canal boat tours and horse drawn carriage rides that are fun for the whole family.

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 Bruges Better for Couples?

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

Bruges is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. This romantic city has amazing restaurants, charming streets, and impressive architecture. Couples will enjoy exploring the canals by boat or taking a horse drawn carriage ride through the old town. There are also a number of cute bed and breakfasts where you can stay.

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 Bruges Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Bruges is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a few good hostels around town. The city sees its share of tourists, but many arrive as part of tours or river boat cruises. If you stay in a hostel, you shouldn't have trouble meeting other young travelers though. There are also plenty of well known breweries where you can gather with friends.

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 Bruges Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Faro and Bruges 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.

Bruges has a few public transit options. There is a bus system that connects the train station to the old town. Otherwise, the city is best explored on foot.

Is Faro or Bruges a more walkable city?

Bruges 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.

Bruges is a very easy city to get around on foot. The train station is a short walk from the old town but the city is very walkable and 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 Bruges Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bruges or Faro?

How long in Faro or Bruges?

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

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

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

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

One day in Faro or Bruges?

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

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.

Bruges 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 Bruges?

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 museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Bruges. 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 Bruges?

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 historic city of Bruges 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 Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.

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

Which is Bigger, Faro or Bruges?

Bruges has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Faro and Bruges, 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 Bruges?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Faro or Bruges in the Summer?

Both Bruges and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Faro for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Bruges in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Faro is generally a little warmer than Bruges. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 25°C (78°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Bruges. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Bruges during summer. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Faro usually receives less rain than Bruges. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Faro or Bruges in the Autumn?

Both Bruges and Faro during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Faro in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Bruges for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Faro is much warmer than Bruges in the autumn. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Bruges fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

It's quite sunny in Faro. In the autumn, Faro often gets more sunshine than Bruges. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 105 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in October than Bruges. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Bruges in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Bruges. Most visitors come to Faro for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Bruges because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Bruges can be very cold. In the winter, Faro is much warmer than Bruges. Typically, the winter temperatures in Faro in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Bruges averages at about 3°C (38°F).

Faro usually receives more sunshine than Bruges during winter. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Faro usually receives more rain than Bruges. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Faro or Bruges in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Faro as well as Bruges. The spring months attract visitors to Faro because of the beaches. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Bruges this time of year.

In April, Faro is generally much warmer than Bruges. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 17°C (62°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Faro this time of the year. In the spring, Faro often gets more sunshine than Bruges. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 158 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in April than Bruges. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bruges and Faro