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

Should you visit Faro or Heidelberg?

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

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

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a historic, quaint, and energetic town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Faro and Heidelberg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Heidelberg?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Faro than Heidelberg, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Faro is better known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Heidelberg is more popular for its food, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Faro is well known for its historical sights and rich culture. Also, Faro is famous for The Arco da Vila. Heidelberg is well known for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town.

How is Faro different from Heidelberg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Heidelberg and Faro. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

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

Heidelberg is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Faro is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Heidelberg. The old town is filled with local restaurants that offer an assortment of traditional dishes. The restaurants offer a mix of outdoor and indoor seating and classic dishes include saumagen, lewwerkneedl, and dampfnudeln.

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 Heidelberg Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is great in both Faro and Heidelberg.

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.

Heidelberg has plenty to do after the sun goes down. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

Is Faro or Heidelberg Better for Resorts?

Faro is an amazing resort town to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Heidelberg is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Faro for its luxury resorts. Popular resorts include Vila Vita Parc Resort and Spa, Conrad Algarve, and Tivoli Carvoeiro.

Heidelberg is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Heidelberg Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Heidelberg is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery 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.

Heidelberg is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Heidelberg Better for Beaches?

Faro is a good destination for the beach. However, Heidelberg is not a beach destination.

Faro offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Heidelberg is not a beach destination.

Is Faro or Heidelberg Better for its Old Town?

Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg can be explored in its historical center. The charming old town, or Altstadt, is lined with cafes that spill out onto the street and churches with bells that chime hourly. The area is filled with activity and there are many shops, ice cream vendors, and restaurants to choose from.

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 Heidelberg?

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

Heidelberg offers some nice shopping areas. The pedestrian area is the best place to pass your time shopping. There are name brand stores mixed in with local independent shops which you'll mostly find on the side streets. Popular items to buy include wooden toys, Christmas decorations, and candy.

Is Faro or Heidelberg Better for Families?

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

Heidelberg offers lots of family activities. With its many ice cream shops, playgrounds, and impressive castle, this city makes a nice stop for families with kids. The restaurants usually have a kid's menu and there are a number of kid-friendly museums and activities.

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 Heidelberg Better for Couples?

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

Heidelberg is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. This beautiful city offers an impressive backdrop for a couple's getaway. The view from the castle looks out beautifully over the city and the old town has many excellent restaurants and activities that are great 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.

Is Faro or Heidelberg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Heidelberg is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Prices are reasonable and there are a handful of hostels around town. As a university town, you can be assured there are plenty of fun activities and cheap places to eat.

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 Heidelberg Better for Students?

Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg. It is a beautiful student town with a lot of activities for young visitors. This is not the most popular study abroad destination, but it does have a lot to offer for those who visit.

Faro is not popular with students.

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

Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg is fairly effecient and thorough. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

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 Heidelberg a more walkable city?

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

Heidelberg is very walkable. The old town is particularly walkable.

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 Heidelberg Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Heidelberg or Faro?

How long in Faro or Heidelberg?

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

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

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

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

One day in Faro or Heidelberg?

With shopping and nightlife around the busy resort town of Faro, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Heidelberg. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Faro or Heidelberg?

With nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling around the destination of Faro, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this resort town.

Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg?

Faro, a popular resort town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this resort town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find food and shopping around the scenic destination of Heidelberg. This town offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Faro or Heidelberg?

Faro is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The scenic town of Heidelberg offers shopping and nightlife. 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany.

When comparing the travel costs between Faro and Heidelberg, we can see that Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Faro or Heidelberg?

Heidelberg has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Faro and Heidelberg, 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 Heidelberg?

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 Heidelberg in the Summer?

Both Heidelberg and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Faro for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Heidelberg in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Faro is generally a little warmer than Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 25°C (78°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

It's quite sunny in Heidelberg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Heidelberg during summer. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 224 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Faro usually receives less rain than Heidelberg. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Faro or Heidelberg in the Autumn?

Both Heidelberg and Faro during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Faro in the autumn for the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Faro is much warmer than Heidelberg in the autumn. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

It's quite sunny in Faro. In the autumn, Faro often gets more sunshine than Heidelberg. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 102 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets more rain in October than Heidelberg. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Heidelberg in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Heidelberg. Most visitors come to Faro for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Heidelberg because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

The weather in Heidelberg can be very cold. In the winter, Faro is much warmer than Heidelberg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Faro in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Faro usually receives more sunshine than Heidelberg during winter. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Faro usually receives more rain than Heidelberg. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Faro or Heidelberg in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Faro as well as Heidelberg. The spring months attract visitors to Faro because of the beaches. Additionally, the natural beauty are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year.

In April, Faro is generally a little warmer than Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 17°C (62°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Faro this time of the year. In the spring, Faro often gets more sunshine than Heidelberg. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 155 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in April than Heidelberg. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Heidelberg and Faro