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

Should you visit Faro or Catania?

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

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

Catania

Catania is a fun, historic, and lively port city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Faro and Catania: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Catania?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Catania. Although Faro and Catania are popular destinations, Catania has more sights and attractions for tourists. Catania is very popular for its museums, food, hiking, and big city activities, while Faro attracts visitors for its resorts and scuba diving & snorkeling. Faro is famous for its historical sights and rich culture. Catania is famous for its fun nightlife scene, many beaches, and easy access to Mt. Etna. It is also well known for Mount Etna.

How is Faro different from Catania?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Catania is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are many examples of beautiful architecture around town including Basilica Cattedrale Sant'Agata and Monastero dei Benedettini. You can also visit Castello Ursino. The main square in town is Piazza del Duomo.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Catania 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, Catania is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city's food scene is excellent. Dishes are influenced by both the sea and the land, and you'll find a large and popular street food setting. If you're sampling the street food, make sure you try the arancino (rice balls). Pasta dishes are also popular and many use a variety of cheeses. You'll also find plenty of fresh vegetables incorporated into many dishes.

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 Catania Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Catania has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city has a reputation for its great nightlife scene that spreads beyond Sicily. The large student population and popularity with tourists mean you can find a party most nights of the week. There are many bars and clubs to check out, many of which are found in the old town center.

Is Faro or Catania Better for Resorts?

Faro is very popular for its resorts. However, Catania 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.

Catania is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Catania Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

Catania is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Catania Better for Beaches?

Both Faro and Catania have nice beaches worth visiting.

Faro has a beach worth visiting. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Catania. The best time to visit the beach is between April and October. There are sandy beaches to the south of town that span a few kilometers and beaches to the north tend to be rocky. Many beaches are also accessible by public transit.

Is Faro or Catania Better for its Old Town?

Faro and Catania both have nice historical old towns that attract visitors.

Faro is a good destination for visiting its 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.

Many people head to Catania to see the old town. The old town is a bit small. At its center is Piazza Duomo and you'll find many activities and attractions in the area.

Is Faro or Catania Better for Hiking?

Catania is great for hiking. However, Faro is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Catania for the hiking trails. Many people visit Mt. Etna as a day trip. You can take the bus to Sapienza Refuge to begin your climb. While it's a doable hike for many people, it can be steep and requires some determination. Unless you're a very experienced hiker, a guide is a must as the trail disappears for large sections. There are also buses and cable cars that take people up sections of the mountain.

Faro is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Faro or Catania?

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

Catania offers some nice shopping areas. The city has a number of shopping malls where you can pick up anything you may need or might have forgotten. Check out Catania Shopping Center or Etnapolis.

Is Faro or Catania Better for Families?

Catania is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Faro is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Catania is a very family-friendly destination. There's a toy museum as well as the Polo Tactile Multimedia Museum which kids and adults alike will enjoy. A highlight of a visit to the city is a trip up Mt. Etna, which can be done either by hiking, bus, or cable car. The city also has many plazas, gardens, and parks that kids will enjoy exploring. Another fun activity is to spend the day at the beach.

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 Catania Better for Couples?

Faro and Catania are both nice 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.

Catania makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With interesting architecture, a pleasant urban beach, and plenty of outdoor space, this is a nice couples destination.

Is Faro or Catania Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Catania is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There's a large number of hostels around town and the city is generally affordable, so backpackers often enjoy spending some time here. There's also a great social 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 Catania Better for Students?

Catania is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Faro is not popular with students.

Catania is a great port city to visit as a student. This is a university town with a very social atmosphere. Students love the wide variety of activities around town as well as the frequent night time parties.

Faro is not popular with students.

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

Catania is great 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.

Public transit in Catania is fairly effecient and thorough. There are many buses around town that offer access to most places. If you drove you can park and take Line 504M to the historic center. You can also take a bus from Piazza Giovanni XXIII to Rifugio Sapienza if you're going to Mt. Etna. It leaves every morning at 8:15 and returns at 4:30 in the afternoon. The city also has a metro, which has one line and ten stops.

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 Catania a more walkable city?

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

Catania is very walkable. Many of the city's main sights are close together in the center of town, making them easy to access 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 Catania Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Catania or Faro?

How long in Faro or Catania?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Faro or Catania to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Faro than Catania 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 Catania.

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

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

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

One day in Faro or Catania?

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 Catania. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Faro or Catania?

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.

Catania is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Catania?

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 lively destination of Catania. This port city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Faro or Catania?

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 historic port city of Catania offers nightlife and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Faro and Catania, 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 Catania Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Faro or Catania?

Catania has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Faro and Catania, 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 Catania?

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 Catania in the Summer?

Both Catania 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. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Catania because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Faro is around the same temperature as Catania. Typically, the summer temperatures in Faro in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Catania averages at about 26°C (79°F).

In Catania, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Faro. In the summer, Faro often gets more sunshine than Catania. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Catania receives 325 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in July than Catania. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Catania receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Catania in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Catania. The autumn months attract visitors to Faro because of the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Catania this time of year.

In October, Faro is generally around the same temperature as Catania. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 20°C (68°F), and Catania fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Catania during autumn. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Catania receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Catania receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Faro usually receives less rain than Catania. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Catania receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Faro or Catania in the Winter?

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

Faro is a little warmer than Catania in the winter. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Catania fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

In the winter, Faro often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Catania. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Catania receives 153 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Faro or Catania in the Spring?

Both Catania 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 Catania in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Faro is a little warmer than Catania. Typically, the spring temperatures in Faro in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Catania averages at about 15°C (58°F).

It's quite sunny in Catania. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Catania during spring. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Catania receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Faro usually receives around the same amount of rain as Catania. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Catania receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Catania and Faro