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

Should you visit Faro or Kotor?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Faro or Kotor, 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. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Kotor

Kotor is a remote, dramatic, and scenic coastal town. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include hiking, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Faro and Kotor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Kotor?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kotor. Although Faro and Kotor are both popular with visitors, Kotor has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Kotor is more popular for its food, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Faro is known for its nightlife, resorts, and shopping. Faro is more touristy than Kotor and is popular for its historical sights and rich culture. Kotor is popular for its medieval old town and its dramatic setting on the coastline surrounded by limestone cliffs. It is also home to The Cathedral of Saint Tryphon (Kotor Cathedral).

How is Faro different from Kotor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Kotor 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, Kotor is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Food is fresh and hearty, with many dishes including meats, cheeses, and bread. Popular local dishes include börek, black risotto, and pasulj (a type of baked beans prepared with meats and spices). Seafood is an obvious choice around town as well. Ask for whatever is fresh and enjoy a delicious meal. There are also a number of dessert cafes where you can enjoy pastries at a very affordable price.

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 Kotor Better for Nightlife?

Faro is well known for nightlife. However, Kotor is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

Faro is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city's bustling party scene thrives along Rua de São Pedro, Rua Conselheiro Bívar, and Rua do Prior.

Kotor doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It has some of the best nightlife in Montenegro, but outside of the summer months you'll find things are very calm. Head to the old town for the highest concentration of bars and clubs.

Is Faro or Kotor Better for Resorts?

Faro is a world-class destination for its resorts. However, Kotor is not particularly known for its luxury resorts.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Faro is a perfect choice. Popular resorts include Vila Vita Parc Resort and Spa, Conrad Algarve, and Tivoli Carvoeiro.

Not known for its high-end resorts, Kotor offers a few options. The town has mostly boutique hotels and apartments, particularly if you want to stay in old town.

Is Faro or Kotor Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

You'll find good snorkeling or scuba diving in both Faro and Kotor.

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 Kotor. It's possible to book snorkeling trips with a local vendor, or you can pack your own mask and snorkel and venture into the water on your own.

Is Faro or Kotor Better for Beaches?

Both Faro and Kotor have good 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 Kotor. Like many parts of the Mediterranean, the beaches are rocky and pebbly. Many of the beaches are small and quiet, giving them a personal and discovered vibe which many travelers appreciate.

Is Faro or Kotor Better for its Old Town?

Kotor 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 Kotor can be explored in its historical center. The city walls and compact historic area make the old town a unique place to explore.

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 Kotor Better for Hiking?

Kotor is a must-visit destination for hiking. However, Faro is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Kotor draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The dramatic cliffs and sea views create some of the most beautiful coastal hikes that you'll find. Trails range from walking paths to more strenuous routes like the Ladder of Kotor Hike, which has many switchbacks and stunning views.

Faro is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Faro or Kotor?

Faro is very good for shopping. However, Kotor is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Faro is a great destination for shopping. 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.

Kotor is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Faro or Kotor Better for Families?

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

Kotor offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy wandering the streets of old town, exploring the city's fortress, or making their way around the city walls. There are a few beaches to explore, but they are a bit rocky. It's also fun to get out on the water on a boat ride.

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 Kotor Better for Couples?

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

Kotor is a great coastal town if you're traveling as a couple. The charming old town, picturesque views, and quaint personality of the town make this a great couple's get away. Whether you want to lounge on the water's edge or soak up the unique culture, there are many hidden sides to the coastal town.

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 Kotor Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Kotor is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The town is affordable and reasonably accessible, making it a great option for backpackers. It's not as touristy as some of the more popular coastal towns in the area, so you can enjoy a bit of authenticity without spending big bucks.

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

Faro is very good for its public transit. However, Kotor is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Faro, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses that connect the city to the beach, the airport, and other outlying areas.

Public transit is mostly limited in Kotor. Cars aren't allowed in the old town, but you can travel to nearby town's by bus. Most leave from the town's main bus station with higher frequency during the summer months.

Is Faro or Kotor a more walkable city?

Kotor 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.

Kotor is a very easy coastal town to get around on foot. The old town is best explored on foot.

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 Kotor Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kotor or Faro?

How long in Faro or Kotor?

It's fun to spend time in either Faro or Kotor. 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 3-4 days is enough time in Kotor.

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

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

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

One day in Faro or Kotor?

In Faro, many people enjoy the nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling that this busy destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This resort town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Kotor is a small town where visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and food. 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 Kotor?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Faro. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Kotor is a fun place to experience. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Faro or Kotor?

Faro is a fun place to experience. In Faro, many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Kotor is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This coastal town 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 Kotor?

You'll find nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling around the popular destination of Faro. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Because Kotor is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. 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 Luxury Tours to Montenegro, and The Best Budget Tours to Montenegro.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Faro and Kotor, we can see that Faro is more expensive. And not only is Kotor much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kotor would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kotor 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 Kotor.

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

Which is Bigger, Faro or Kotor?

Faro has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Kotor. When comparing the sizes of Faro and Kotor, 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 Kotor?

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 Kotor in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Faro as well as Kotor. Most visitors come to Faro for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Kotor because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Faro is around the same temperature as Kotor in the summer. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Kotor fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kotor. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Faro this time of the year. In the summer, Faro often gets more sunshine than Kotor. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kotor receives 341 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in July than Kotor. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 47 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Kotor in the Autumn?

Both Kotor and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Faro because of the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Kotor this time of year.

In the autumn, Faro is a little warmer than Kotor. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Faro in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Kotor averages at about 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Kotor. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Kotor during autumn. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Kotor receives 203 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kotor. In October, Faro usually receives less rain than Kotor. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Faro or Kotor in the Winter?

Both Kotor and Faro during the winter are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kotor for the cuisine.

In January, Faro is generally much warmer than Kotor. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 12°C (54°F), and Kotor fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Faro often gets more sunshine than Kotor. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kotor receives 121 hours of full sun.

Kotor gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Faro usually gets less rain in January than Kotor. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Kotor in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Kotor. Many travelers come to Faro for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to Kotor in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Faro is a little warmer than Kotor in the spring. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Kotor fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Kotor during spring. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Kotor receives 194 hours of full sun in the spring.

Kotor receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Faro usually receives less rain than Kotor. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kotor and Faro