A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Faro vs. Cardiff for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Faro or Cardiff?

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

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

Cardiff

Cardiff is a green, industrial, and up-and-coming city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, shopping, and museums.

Faro and Cardiff: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Cardiff?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cardiff. Although Faro and Cardiff are popular destinations, Cardiff has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cardiff is very popular for its museums, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Faro attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and historical sights. Faro is more touristy than Cardiff and is popular for its historical sights and rich culture. Cardiff is famous for having the most castles per square mile of any city in Europe. It is also well known for The Cardiff Castle.

How is Faro different from Cardiff?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Cardiff is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The most notable landmark of the city is the famous and well-preserved Cardiff Castle. Visitors also enjoy seeing the Victorian arcades, museums, and cathedrals around town.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Faro and Cardiff 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 Cardiff. Welsh cuisine is known for its stews and hearty vegetable dishes. The national dish is cawl, which is a stew made with lamb and vegetables. Other local favorites include Welsh rarebit, which is a type of cheese toast, and Glamorgan Sausage, which is actually made with vegetables.

Is Faro or Cardiff Better for Nightlife?

Faro is a great destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

The people in Faro know how to have a good time. The city's bustling party scene thrives along Rua de São Pedro, Rua Conselheiro Bívar, and Rua do Prior.

If you're looking for night time activities Cardiff has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is all about fun and most of the activities are driven by the large and diverse student population.

Is Faro or Cardiff Better for Resorts?

Faro is a must-visit destination for its resorts. However, Cardiff is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Faro is a great choice. Popular resorts include Vila Vita Parc Resort and Spa, Conrad Algarve, and Tivoli Carvoeiro.

Cardiff is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Cardiff Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Cardiff is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Faro has a few good snorkeling spots. 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.

Cardiff is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Cardiff Better for Beaches?

Faro is a popular place for the beache. However, Cardiff is not a beach destination.

Faro is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Cardiff is not a beach destination.

Is Faro or Cardiff Better for its Old Town?

Faro is a popular place for its old town. However, Cardiff does not have a historic old town.

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.

Cardiff does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Faro or Cardiff?

If you're looking to go shopping, Faro and Cardiff both offer plenty of nice 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.

Cardiff offers some nice shopping areas. Shopping options include shopping malls and boutique lined streets. There is a nice mix of independent shops and major chains to choose between.

Is Faro or Cardiff Better for Families?

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

Cardiff offers lots of family activities. The city has a number of climbing and play areas, museums, and playgrounds that can keep the little ones entertained. There are also plenty of outdoor parks and trails to wander around.

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 Cardiff Better for Couples?

Faro is a popular place for its romantic activities. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options 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.

Cardiff is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The most romantic experiences involve a night out dining at nice restaurants, enjoying a cocktail at a classy bar, and strolling through neighborhoods and soaking up the atmosphere.

Is Faro or Cardiff Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Faro is a popular place for backpackers. However, Cardiff is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Faro. The are some good hostels in the area, but it's a bit tricky to get around without a car.

Cardiff is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Faro or Cardiff Better for Students?

Cardiff 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 Cardiff. Most students come to study at Cardiff University, which is a leading university in Great Britain.

Faro is not popular with students.

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

Faro is a popular place for its public transit. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Faro, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses that connect the city to the beach, the airport, and other outlying areas.

Public transit is mostly limited in Cardiff. There is a bus system that you can use to get around.

Is Faro or Cardiff a more walkable city?

Faro and Cardiff are nice when it comes to walkability.

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

Cardiff is a somewhat walkable place. There are pedestrianized areas and the waterfront is nice to walk around but there is still room for improvement when it comes to walkability.

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

Should I spend more time in Cardiff or Faro?

How long in Faro or Cardiff?

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

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

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

One day in Faro or Cardiff?

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 museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Cardiff. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Faro or Cardiff?

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.

Cardiff 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 Cardiff?

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 shopping and museums around the up-and-coming destination of Cardiff. 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 Cardiff?

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 industrial city of Cardiff 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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom.

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

Which is Bigger, Faro or Cardiff?

Cardiff has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Faro and Cardiff, 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 Cardiff?

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 Cardiff in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Faro as well as Cardiff. Many visitors come to Faro in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Cardiff for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Faro is a little warmer than Cardiff. Typically, the summer temperatures in Faro in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Cardiff averages at about 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cardiff. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Faro this time of the year. In the summer, Faro often gets more sunshine than Cardiff. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cardiff receives 220 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in July than Cardiff. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Cardiff receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Cardiff in the Autumn?

Both Cardiff and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Faro for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Cardiff because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Faro is generally much warmer than Cardiff. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 20°C (68°F), and Cardiff fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Cardiff during autumn. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Cardiff receives 95 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cardiff. In October, Faro usually receives less rain than Cardiff. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cardiff receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Faro or Cardiff in the Winter?

Both Cardiff and Faro during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Faro because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cardiff this time of year.

It's quite cold in Cardiff in the winter. Faro is much warmer than Cardiff in the winter. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Cardiff fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Faro often gets more sunshine than Cardiff. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cardiff receives 57 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in January than Cardiff. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Cardiff receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Cardiff in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Cardiff. The beaches are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Cardiff for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Faro is much warmer than Cardiff. Typically, the spring temperatures in Faro in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Cardiff averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Cardiff during spring. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Cardiff receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Faro usually receives less rain than Cardiff. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Cardiff receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Cardiff and Faro