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

Should you visit Faro or Hvar?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Faro or Hvar, 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.

Hvar

Hvar is a beautiful, vibrant, and energetic island. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Faro and Hvar: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Hvar?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Hvar. Although Faro and Hvar are popular destinations, Hvar has more sights and attractions for tourists. Hvar is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Faro attracts visitors for its resorts and historical sights. Hvar is more touristy than Faro and is popular for its wild parties, beautiful buildings, and world class cuisine. It is also well known for Hvar Fort. Faro is famous for its historical sights and rich culture.

How is Faro different from Hvar?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Hvar is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Wandering around the old town you'll see many historic buildings such as the Cathedral of St. Stephen. You can also visit the nearby Hvar Fort or explore the Franciscan Monastery.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Hvar 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 Hvar. It's an island, so you'll find no shortage of seafood in the restaurants. There's fish, crab, lobster, squid, and octopus on the menus around town. Many dishes are prepared with risotto or pasta and you'll find a lot of olive oil and wine.

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 Hvar Better for Nightlife?

Hvar is a must-visit destination for nightlife. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for nightlife and partying.

Hvar is a world class party destination. The island has a reputation as a party island, and it's well earned. Most of the activity is found in Hvar Town, particularly between the months of June and September. Young people flock to the island for the all night parties and wild beach bars and clubs.

Faro has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city's bustling party scene thrives along Rua de São Pedro, Rua Conselheiro Bívar, and Rua do Prior.

Is Faro or Hvar Better for Resorts?

Faro is renowned for its resorts. However, Hvar 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.

Hvar is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Hvar Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

You'll find nice snorkeling or scuba diving in both Faro and Hvar.

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.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Hvar. The water is clear and there are snorkeling day trips that leave from town. This is a great way to get out on the water and glimpse the undersea world.

Is Faro or Hvar Better for Beaches?

Hvar is great for its beaches. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for the beache.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Hvar. The island has hilly bays and coves that are fun to explore. The best beaches are found to the south and southwest of the island and many are pebbly or gravelly.

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.

Is Faro or Hvar Better for its Old Town?

Faro is a resort town with good options for its old town. However, Hvar does not have a historic old town.

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.

Hvar does not have a historic old town.

Is Faro or Hvar Better for Hiking?

Hvar is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Faro is not a hiking destination.

Hvar has hiking trails worth exploring. There are a number of hikes on the island that cater to every skill level and take you through natural areas or past historic sights.

Faro is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Faro or Hvar?

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

Hvar offers some nice shopping areas. In the town you'll find galleries, boutiques, jewelry shops and other beach stores. It's fun to pop in and look at the different items.

Is Faro or Hvar Better for Families?

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

Hvar is a very family-friendly destination. There are adventure parks, water parks, and other fun activities for kids. There are also beaches where everyone can swim and sea kayaking trips. Hvar Observatory is also a unique and fun place to visit as a 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 Hvar Better for Couples?

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

Hvar is a great island if you're traveling as a couple. There are some romantic hotels and beautiful beaches that make this a wonderful destination for couples. Anyone who enjoys a coastal setting with clear waters and a variety of water sports will enjoy their time here.

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 Hvar Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hvar 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 Hvar. The island has long been a popular stop with backpackers who enjoy the affordable prices, abundance of hostels, and active nightlife scene. You'll have no trouble meeting other travelers, particularly during the peak summer months.

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

Faro and Hvar 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.

Hvar has a few public transit options. Buses are operated by Cazmatrans Hva and they travel between the major municipalities.

Is Faro or Hvar a more walkable city?

Faro and Hvar are nice when it comes to walkability.

Faro is somewhat walkable. The city's old town is particularly walkable.

Hvar is a somewhat walkable place. Hvar Town can be explored on foot, but you'll need a vehicle to explore other parts of the island.

For even more information, also check out Is Faro Worth Visiting? and Is Hvar Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hvar or Faro?

How long in Faro or Hvar?

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

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

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

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

One day in Faro or Hvar?

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 nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Hvar. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Hvar?

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.

Hvar is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the nightlife. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Hvar?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the busy 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 scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the beautiful destination of Hvar. This island offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Faro or Hvar?

The popular 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 energetic island of Hvar offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 in Croatia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Croatia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Faro and Hvar, we can see that Faro is more expensive. And not only is Hvar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hvar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hvar 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 Faro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Faro than you might in Hvar.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Faro Expensive? and Is Hvar Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Faro or Hvar?

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

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 Hvar in the Summer?

Both Hvar and Faro during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Hvar for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Faro is around the same temperature as Hvar. Typically, the summer temperatures in Faro in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Hvar averages at about 26°C (80°F).

In Hvar, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Faro. In the summer, Faro often gets more sunshine than Hvar. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hvar receives 345 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in July than Hvar. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Hvar in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Hvar. Many travelers come to Faro for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Hvar in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Faro is generally a little warmer than Hvar. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 20°C (68°F), and Hvar fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hvar this time of the year. In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Hvar during autumn. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Hvar receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Faro usually receives less rain than Hvar. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Faro or Hvar in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Faro as well as Hvar. Many visitors come to Faro in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Hvar for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Faro is a little warmer than Hvar in the winter. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Hvar fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Faro often gets more sunshine than Hvar. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hvar receives 128 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Hvar. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Hvar in the Spring?

Both Hvar and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Faro for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Hvar because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Faro is a little warmer than Hvar. Typically, the spring temperatures in Faro in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Hvar averages at about 15°C (59°F).

It's quite sunny in Hvar. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Hvar during spring. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Hvar receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Faro usually receives less rain than Hvar. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hvar and Faro