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

Should you visit Faro or Cadiz?

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

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

Cadiz

Cadiz is a authentic, friendly, and undiscovered port city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Faro and Cadiz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Cadiz?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Faro. Although Faro and Cadiz 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, and beaches, while Cadiz is known for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Faro is more touristy than Cadiz and is popular for its historical sights and rich culture. It is also home to The Arco da Vila. Cadiz is popular for its long-running maritime history and its charming old town.

How is Faro different from Cadiz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Cadiz is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. As the oldest city in Europe, there are countless historic sights and monuments to see. Some of the most interesting historic sights include Catedral Nueva, the Arcos de los Blancos, Torre Tavira, and Museo de Cádiz.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Cadiz is a nice place to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Faro is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Cadiz. The restaurants are good, but if you don't have reservations you're out of luck. Many restaurants fill up during the peak summer months. If you do have reservations then you can expect fresh seafood including everything from oysters to prawns and even fresh caught fish like Bluefin tuna. Make sure you try the shrimp fritters and papas con choco (cuttlefish and potato stew). Tapas are a great way to sample a number of small local dishes. Also finish your meal off with some churros.

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 Cadiz Better for Nightlife?

Faro is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Cadiz is not as famous, but is still a good port 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 Cadiz. The nightlife scene is diverse, with both cultural activities and dance clubs to choose from. Whether you're looking for a late night party or a more mellow evening on the town, there are a number of options available.

Is Faro or Cadiz Better for Resorts?

Faro is renowned for its resorts. However, Cadiz is not a resort destination.

Faro is a world class resort vacation destination. Popular resorts include Vila Vita Parc Resort and Spa, Conrad Algarve, and Tivoli Carvoeiro.

Cadiz is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Cadiz Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a resort town with good options for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Cadiz is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life 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.

Cadiz is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Cadiz Better for Beaches?

Faro is a resort town with good options for its beaches. However, Cadiz is not a good port city for the beache.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Faro. 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.

You can check out the beach in Cadiz. The beaches remain relatively undiscovered on the international level, so you won't have to deal with the crowds that you find at many Spanish beaches. They are urban beaches that make a good place to cool off, but aren't particularly scenic. The beaches are popular with nearby locals, and the atmosphere remains chill and relaxed. While there are many beaches to choose from outside of town, the closest in town beach is La Caleta. It's even been featured in a few Hollywood films such as Die Another Day.

Is Faro or Cadiz Better for its Old Town?

Cadiz 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 Cadiz to see the historical old town. The old town offers a patchwork network of cobblestone streets that intertwine plazas, churches, and historic buildings.

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 Cadiz?

Cadiz 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 Cadiz. There's a diverse mix of local boutiques, food markets, shopping centers, and street markets where you can pick up everything from local items to European fashion. If you happen to be in town on a weekend, keep in mind that many shops are only open in the morning on Saturdays and closed all day Sundays.

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 Cadiz Better for Families?

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

Cadiz offers lots of family activities. The city has beaches where everyone can splash around, as well as some parks and playgrounds where kids can get their energy out. Outside of town you'll find waterparks and other fun activities as well.

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 Cadiz Better for Couples?

Faro and Cadiz are both good 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.

Cadiz makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With its history and beaches, there are many romantic activities that couples can enjoy. Wander around old town and enjoy local cuisine. Visit the historic ruins and take a hike outside of the city.

Is Faro or Cadiz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Faro and Cadiz are good 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.

Cadiz is a good resort town to visit for backpackers. One of the biggest draws to the city is there huge Carnival festival every February. This is a popular time to visit and backpackers will appreciate the lively atmosphere.

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

Faro and Cadiz both offer good 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.

Cadiz has a few public transit options. There are five bus lines around town. The buses are comfortable and air conditioned.

Is Faro or Cadiz a more walkable city?

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

Cadiz is very walkable. It is a walkable city that is historic and compact enough to explore on foot. It can be a bit of a walk to get from the old town to the beach though.

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 Cadiz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cadiz or Faro?

How long in Faro or Cadiz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Faro or Cadiz to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Faro than Cadiz because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Faro, and 1-2 days is enough time in Cadiz.

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

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

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

One day in Faro or Cadiz?

In Faro, many people enjoy the nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling that this popular destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This resort town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Cadiz. 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 Cadiz?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Faro. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Cadiz 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 Cadiz?

Faro is a fun place to experience. In Faro, many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Cadiz. This port 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 Cadiz?

You'll find nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling around the busy destination of Faro. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The friendly port city of Cadiz 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Spain, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Faro or Cadiz?

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

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 Cadiz in the Summer?

Both Cadiz and Faro during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Cadiz for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Faro is around the same temperature as Cadiz in the summer. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Cadiz fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In Cadiz, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Faro. In the summer, Faro often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cadiz. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cadiz receives 356 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets more rain in July than Cadiz. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Cadiz receives 0 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Cadiz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Cadiz. Many travelers come to Faro for the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Cadiz in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Faro is around the same temperature as Cadiz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Faro in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Cadiz averages at about 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cadiz this time of the year. In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cadiz during autumn. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Cadiz receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Faro usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cadiz. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cadiz receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Faro or Cadiz in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Faro as well as Cadiz. Many visitors come to Faro in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Cadiz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Faro is generally around the same temperature as Cadiz. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 12°C (54°F), and Cadiz fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the winter, Faro often gets less sunshine than Cadiz. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cadiz receives 174 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets more rain in January than Cadiz. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Cadiz receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Cadiz in the Spring?

Both Cadiz and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Faro for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Cadiz because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Faro is around the same temperature as Cadiz in the spring. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Cadiz fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Cadiz. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. Faro usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cadiz during spring. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Cadiz receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Faro usually receives less rain than Cadiz. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Cadiz receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Cadiz and Faro