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

Should you visit Faro or Granada?

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

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

Granada

Granada is a cultural, historic, and beautiful city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Faro and Granada: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Granada?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Granada. Although Faro and Granada are both popular with visitors, Granada has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Granada is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Faro is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Faro is popular for its historical sights and rich culture. Granada is popular for its Islamic architecture, charming old town, and the stunningly impressive Alhambra. It is also home to The Alhambra.

How is Faro different from Granada?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Travelers visit Granada from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. Many visitors head to Granada specifically to visit the famed Alhambra. The palace and fortress complex will not disappoint. The gardens are beautifully maintained and the palace is filled with intricate details. It's easy to spend hours wandering around. In addition to The Alhambra, the Granada Cathedral is also impressive to visit. If you have kids or extra time to fill, head to Parque de las Ciencias, which is the city's Science Park.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Granada 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 Granada. It's a very touristy city so restaurants can be hit or miss. There are some amazing local eateries, but you'll also find a number of places with lower quality, overpriced food. Classic local dishes include Churros, Plato Alpujarreño, and Habas con Jamón. Tapas are very popular and many restaurants provide free tapas with drink orders. There are also a number of Moroccan restaurants around town.

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 Granada Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is very good in both Faro and Granada.

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.

Granada has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene kicks off around 11 pm, when most people have finished up a late dinner. There's a laid-back atmosphere with pubs, live music, and dance clubs that stay open late into the night. There are several popular streets at night including Calle Elvira, Calle Reyes Católicos, and the Realejo District.

Is Faro or Granada Better for Resorts?

Faro is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Granada 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.

Granada is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Granada Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Granada 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.

Granada is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Granada Better for Beaches?

Faro is a popular place for its beaches. However, Granada 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.

Granada is not a beach destination.

Is Faro or Granada Better for its Old Town?

Granada 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 Granada can be explored in its historical center. The Old Town spills out around the Granada Cathedral and is filled with charming pedestrian streets, lively plazas, and many great shops.

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 Faro or Granada Better for Hiking?

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

Many visitors go to Granada for the hiking trails. Ruta de Los Cahorros is a great hike about 25 minutes outside of Granada that begins in the town of Monochil. It crosses many bridges and weaves through dramatic canyons. There are places where you can wade in the water or check out a hidden waterfall. It's well worth the time and can be reached by taxi or public bus.

Faro is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Faro or Granada?

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

Granada offers some nice shopping areas. The town is filled with souvenir shops and places to buy local items. It's fun to wander through the old town and pop into the many different shops.

Is Faro or Granada Better for Families?

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

Granada offers lots of family activities. While the highlight of the city is the Alhambra, kids will likely enjoy exploring the shops or seeing a Flamenco show a bit more. Just outside of town is a wonderful hike, Ruta de Los Cahorros. It begins near the town of Monachil which is easily accessible by taxi or public bus. The hike goes through canyons and across bridges and its a wonderful activity for the whole family.

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 Granada Better for Couples?

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

Granada is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. It is a beautiful city that is filled with charm and history. Couples will enjoy exploring the Alhambra, taking in a Flamenco show, or sipping Sangria with tapas. The city is incredibly beautiful with stunning views and many great restaurants.

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 Granada Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Granada is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's a touristy city and it's a popular destination for backpackers as well. There are plenty of hostels around town and the city has social atmosphere with many opportunities to meet other travelers.

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 Granada Better for Students?

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

Granada is a great city to visit as a student. It's a popular study abroad destination. Accommodation for students is usually affordable and this is also a great city for integrating into the local culture. You may even end up with a Spanish roommate.

Faro is not popular with students.

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

Faro and Granada 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.

Granada has a few public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system around town that many tourists take advantage of. Taxis are also very affordable, so for many visitors, that is an easy option.

Is Faro or Granada a more walkable city?

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

Granada is very walkable. Most of the touristy areas are easy to explore on foot, but there are some steep hills so put on your walking shoes.

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 Granada Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Granada or Faro?

How long in Faro or Granada?

It's fun to spend time in either Faro or Granada. 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 Granada.

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

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

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

One day in Faro or Granada?

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 Granada. 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 Granada?

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.

Granada is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the museums. 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 Granada?

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 beautiful destination of Granada. This 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 Granada?

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 beautiful city of Granada 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Madrid, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona.

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

Which is Bigger, Faro or Granada?

Granada has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Faro and Granada, 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 Granada?

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 Granada in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Granada. Many visitors come to Faro in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Granada for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Granada 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 Granada during summer. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies, while Granada receives 348 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Faro usually receives less rain than Granada. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Granada receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Faro or Granada in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Faro as well as Granada. Most visitors come to Faro for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Granada because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Faro is around the same temperature as Granada. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Faro in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Granada averages at about 19°C (67°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Granada. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Faro this time of the year. In the autumn, Faro often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Granada. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Granada receives 213 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets more rain in October than Granada. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Granada receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Granada in the Winter?

Both Granada and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Faro because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Granada this time of year.

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

Faro usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Granada during winter. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Granada receives 171 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Faro usually receives around the same amount of rain as Granada. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Granada receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Faro or Granada in the Spring?

Both Granada and Faro during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Granada for the natural beauty.

Faro is around the same temperature as Granada in the spring. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Granada fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In Granada, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Faro. In the spring, Faro often gets more sunshine than Granada. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Granada receives 220 hours of full sun.

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

Typical Weather for Granada and Faro