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

Should you visit Faro or Edinburgh?

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

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

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a gothic, ancient, and charming city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include theater, nightlife, and live music.

Faro and Edinburgh: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Edinburgh?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Edinburgh. Although Faro and Edinburgh are popular destinations, Edinburgh has more sights and attractions for tourists. Edinburgh is very popular for its museums, theatre productions, music, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Faro attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Edinburgh is more touristy than Faro and is known for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. It is also well known for The Edinburgh Castle. Faro is famous for its historical sights and rich culture.

How is Faro different from Edinburgh?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Edinburgh is a must-visit destination for its historical sights. However, Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Edinburgh from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Faro or Edinburgh Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is great for theatre. However, Faro is not a theatre destination.

Many visitors plan to see a show while visiting Edinburgh. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Faro is not a theatre destination.

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

Both Faro and Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Faro or Edinburgh Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is high quality in both Faro and Edinburgh.

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.

Edinburgh has plenty to do after the sun goes down. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

Is Faro or Edinburgh Better for Music?

Edinburgh is a must-visit destination for live music. However, Faro is not a live music destination.

Edinburgh is known as a music capital around the world. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Faro is not a live music destination.

Is Faro or Edinburgh Better for Resorts?

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

Edinburgh is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Edinburgh Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a resort town with good options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Edinburgh 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.

Edinburgh is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Edinburgh Better for Beaches?

Faro is a resort town with good options for the beache. However, Edinburgh is not a beach destination.

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.

Edinburgh is not a beach destination.

Is Faro or Edinburgh Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is a must-visit destination for its historic old town. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its old town.

The rich history of Edinburgh can be explored in its historical center. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

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 Edinburgh?

Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

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 Edinburgh Better for Families?

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

Edinburgh is a very family-friendly destination. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

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 Edinburgh Better for Couples?

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

Edinburgh is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

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 Edinburgh Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

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 Edinburgh Better for Students?

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

Edinburgh is a great city to visit as a student. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

Faro is not popular with students.

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

Faro and Edinburgh both offer nice 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.

Edinburgh has a few public transit options. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

Is Faro or Edinburgh a more walkable city?

Edinburgh 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.

Edinburgh is a very easy city to get around on foot. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

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 Edinburgh Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Edinburgh or Faro?

How long in Faro or Edinburgh?

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

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

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

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

One day in Faro or Edinburgh?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the resort town of Faro. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Edinburgh. 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 Edinburgh?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the popular destination of Faro. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this resort town has to offer. This resort town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh?

You'll find nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling around the active resort town of Faro. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this resort town makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this resort town has to offer.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Edinburgh. 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 Edinburgh?

Faro is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The ancient city of Edinburgh offers museums and theater. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best 10-Day Tours from London.

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

Which is Bigger, Faro or Edinburgh?

Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Faro and Edinburgh, 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 Edinburgh?

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 Edinburgh in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Edinburgh. The beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Edinburgh for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Faro is much warmer than Edinburgh. Typically, the summer temperatures in Faro in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Edinburgh averages at about 14°C (58°F).

In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Edinburgh during summer. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies, while Edinburgh receives 163 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Faro usually receives less rain than Edinburgh. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Faro or Edinburgh in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Faro as well as Edinburgh. Many travelers come to Faro for the shopping scene. Additionally, many visitors come to Edinburgh in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Faro is generally much warmer than Edinburgh. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 20°C (68°F), and Edinburgh fluctuates around 10°C (49°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 Edinburgh. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Edinburgh receives 90 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Edinburgh. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Edinburgh in the Winter?

Both Edinburgh and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Faro in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Edinburgh for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

Edinburgh can be very cold during winter. Faro is much warmer than Edinburgh in the winter. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Edinburgh fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Faro usually receives more sunshine than Edinburgh during winter. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Edinburgh receives 48 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Faro usually receives more rain than Edinburgh. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Faro or Edinburgh in the Spring?

Both Edinburgh and Faro during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Faro for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Faro is much warmer than Edinburgh. Typically, the spring temperatures in Faro in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Edinburgh averages at about 7°C (45°F).

It's quite sunny in Faro. In the spring, Faro often gets more sunshine than Edinburgh. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Edinburgh receives 132 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Edinburgh. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Edinburgh and Faro