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

Should you visit Faro or Como?

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

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

Como

Como is a vibrant, scenic, and trendy lake area. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include shopping, nightlife, and food.

Faro and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Como?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Como than Faro, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Como is better known for its museums, food, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Faro is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and historical sights. Como is more touristy than Faro and is known for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers. Also, Como is famous for the lakeside setting. Faro is well known for its historical sights and rich culture.

How is Faro different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Como is adequate for its historical sights. However, Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to Como specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people visit for the lakeside setting, but there's history throughout, with notable buildings including the Duomo, Museo Civico, and Basilica di Sant'Abbondio.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Como 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, Como is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The area has its own style of Italian food. Polenta is one of the most popular dishes and it's usually served with meat, fish, or cheese. You can also enjoy several different types of fish such as misultitt (dried fish), salmon trout, pike, bleak, lavarello, and perch.

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 Como Better for Nightlife?

Faro is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Faro has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city's bustling party scene thrives along Rua de São Pedro, Rua Conselheiro Bívar, and Rua do Prior.

Como has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. It is more known for its glamour and sophistication than its raging party scene. There are fine dining restaurants where you can sip wine and enjoy the view. There are also theaters and jazz clubs that offer a relaxing vibe and a nice night out.

Is Faro or Como Better for Resorts?

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

Faro offers an unforgettable resort vacation. Popular resorts include Vila Vita Parc Resort and Spa, Conrad Algarve, and Tivoli Carvoeiro.

Como is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Como Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Como is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Faro has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. 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.

Como is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Como Better for Beaches?

Both Faro and Como have notable 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 Como. You'll find lakeside beaches where you can relax, sunbath, or swim. Many are affiliated with clubs and the atmosphere is often trendy and upscale. Don't expect a secluded and natural setting, but there are often nice restaurants nearby.

Is Faro or Como Better for its Old Town?

Faro is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Como does not have a historic old town.

Faro has an old town worth visiting. 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.

Como does not have a historic old town.

Is Faro or Como Better for Hiking?

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

Many visitors go to Como for the hiking trails. There's a wide variety of hiking trails in the area that take you through the mountains or along the water's edge. One of the most popular trails is the Greenway del Lago di Como.

Faro is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Faro or Como?

Como is a must-visit destination for shopping. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Como. The shopping is comparable to major cities, with everything from high end boutiques to outlets and local markets. There are clothing shops, jewelry stores, and places to pick up local souvenirs. Shopping is a favorite activity for many visitors to Lake Como.

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 Como Better for Families?

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

Como is a very family-friendly destination. It has parks and gardens to explore, as well as Vezio Castle and many nice walking trails. A highlight for many kids is a visit to Lake Como Adventure Park.

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 Como Better for Couples?

Como is a must-visit destination for romance. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its romantic activities.

Como has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Its beautiful walks, charming towns, and surrounding natural setting make this a great honeymoon and couple's getaway destination. Dine on Italian cuisine as you sip wine and look out on the pristine waters of Lake Como.

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 Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Como is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's a popular destination with all types of travelers, so you'll find a decent selection of hostels to choose from, and a number of other backpackers around to hang out with.

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

Faro and Como 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.

Como has a few public transit options. There are buses, ferries, and a funicular that travel to different towns around the lake.

Is Faro or Como a more walkable city?

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

Como is very walkable. The entire area is very walkable and you'll enjoy many great views during your stroll.

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 Como Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Como or Faro?

How long in Faro or Como?

It's fun to spend time in either Faro or Como. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Faro due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Faro, and 2-4 days is enough time in Como.

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

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

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

One day in Faro or Como?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Faro. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Como. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Como?

Faro is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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.

Como is a fun place to experience. 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 Como?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the popular destination of Faro. This resort town offers something for everyone. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

You'll find food and shopping around the scenic destination of Como. This lake area 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 Como?

The busy resort town of Faro offers shopping and nightlife. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

The trendy lake area of Como offers shopping and nightlife. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rome, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Rome.

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

Which is Bigger, Faro or Como?

Como has a larger population, and is about 90% larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Faro and Como, 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 Como?

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 Como in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Como. The summer months attract visitors to Faro because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Como this time of year.

In July, Faro is generally around the same temperature as Como. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 25°C (78°F), and Como fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Como this time of the year. In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Como during summer. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Faro usually receives less rain than Como. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Faro or Como in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Faro as well as Como. The shopping scene are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Como for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Faro is a little warmer than Como in the autumn. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Como fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Faro this time of the year. In the autumn, Faro often gets more sunshine than Como. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 152 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Como. Faro usually gets less rain in October than Como. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Como in the Winter?

Both Como and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Faro for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Como in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Como can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Faro is much warmer than Como. Typically, the winter temperatures in Faro in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Como averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Faro usually receives more sunshine than Como during winter. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Faro usually receives more rain than Como. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Faro or Como in the Spring?

Both Como and Faro during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Faro in the spring for the beaches. Furthermore, most visitors come to Como for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Faro is generally a little warmer than Como. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 17°C (62°F), and Como fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Faro. In the spring, Faro often gets more sunshine than Como. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 176 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in April than Como. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Como and Faro