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

Should you visit Faro or Budapest?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Faro or Budapest, 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. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Budapest

Budapest is a artistic, historic, and authentic city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, shopping, and museums.

Faro and Budapest: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Budapest?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Budapest. Although Faro and Budapest are popular destinations, Budapest has more sights and attractions for tourists. Budapest is very popular for its museums, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Faro attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Faro is famous for its historical sights and rich culture. Budapest is famous for its thermal hot springs, European spas, rich culture, and wild nightlife scene. It is also well known for The Hungarian Parliament Building.

How is Faro different from Budapest?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Budapest 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 Budapest can be an interesting and educational experience. Famous sights include the Buda Castle and Castle Hill, the Hungarian Parliament Building, and St. Stephen's Basilica.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Faro and Budapest offer a number of reasonable 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 Budapest. Traditional dishes tend to be heavy on the meat and bread. They make good comfort food and are very filling meals. The city also has many great pastry shops. Make sure you check out the stuffed cabbage, goulash, and chimney cake.

Is Faro or Budapest Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Budapest has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city's active nightlife includes dance clubs, local pubs, and cultural festivals throughout the year.

Is Faro or Budapest Better for Resorts?

Faro is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Budapest 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.

Budapest is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Budapest Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is very good for its diving and snorkeling. However, Budapest 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.

Budapest is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Budapest Better for Beaches?

Faro is very good for the beache. However, Budapest 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.

Budapest is not a beach destination.

Is Faro or Budapest Better for its Old Town?

Budapest 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 Budapest to see the historical old town. The city grew from the merging of two towns, Buda and Pest, which were divided by the Danube River. Buda is the more historical part of town and Pest is more modern.

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 Budapest?

Budapest 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 Budapest. The city has a diverse shopping scene that you can experience by visiting the Central Market or Váci Street.

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 Budapest Better for Families?

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

Budapest offers lots of family activities. The city has the typical trampoline parks and playgrounds, but kids will also enjoy the baths and pools around town. Do take note that most of the museums are less hands on than kids prefer.

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 Budapest Better for Couples?

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

Budapest is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. With it's many beautiful neighborhoods, and unique entertainment options including the opera, this is a fun city for couples. The baths and spas also make for a great experience for couples.

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 Budapest Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Budapest is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Budapest. The city is more affordable than many large cities and it has a number of fun hostels to choose from. There's a good backpacker vibe around town with many places to meet and hang out with other travelers.

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 Budapest Better for Students?

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

Budapest is a great destination for students. The city has a great international vibe with several good universities that are welcoming to international students that are studying abroad.

Faro is not popular with students.

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

Budapest is a must-visit destination 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.

Budapest has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The metro, trams, and buses make it easy to get around town.

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 Budapest a more walkable city?

Budapest 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.

Budapest is a very easy city to get around on foot. Pest is very flat, making for an easy stroll, while Buda is more hilly.

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 Budapest Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Budapest or Faro?

How long in Faro or Budapest?

In either Faro or Budapest, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Budapest has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Budapest than Faro. However, 2-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Faro or Budapest?

The resort town of Faro offers nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Budapest is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Budapest?

Faro is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this resort town makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Faro, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Budapest 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 Budapest?

Faro is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Faro, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Budapest is a artistic big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Faro or Budapest?

Faro is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This resort town offers something for everyone.

The cultural city of Budapest offers museums and nightlife. 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 10-Day Tours from Budapest, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Budapest.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Faro and Budapest, we can see that Faro is more expensive. And not only is Budapest much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Budapest would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Budapest 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 Faro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Faro than you might in Budapest.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Faro Expensive? and Is Budapest Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Faro or Budapest?

Budapest has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Faro and Budapest, 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 Budapest?

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 Budapest in the Summer?

Both Budapest and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Faro for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Budapest because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Faro is a little warmer than Budapest. Typically, the summer temperatures in Faro in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Budapest averages at about 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Budapest. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Budapest during summer. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Faro usually receives less rain than Budapest. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Faro or Budapest in the Autumn?

Both Budapest and Faro during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Faro because of the shopping scene. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Budapest this time of year.

In October, Faro is generally much warmer than Budapest. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 20°C (68°F), and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

It's quite sunny in Faro. In the autumn, Faro often gets more sunshine than Budapest. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets more rain in October than Budapest. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Budapest in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Budapest. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Budapest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Budapest. Faro is much warmer than Budapest in the winter. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Budapest fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

Faro usually receives more sunshine than Budapest during winter. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 61 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Faro usually receives more rain than Budapest. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Faro or Budapest in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Faro as well as Budapest. Many travelers come to Faro for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to Budapest in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Faro is a little warmer than Budapest. Typically, the spring temperatures in Faro in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Budapest averages at about 12°C (53°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 Budapest. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 178 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in April than Budapest. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Budapest and Faro