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

Should you visit Faro or Lake Garda?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Faro or Lake Garda, 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. See Faro travel costs.

Lake Garda

Lake Garda is a energetic, scenic, and playful lake. Lake Garda is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Lake Garda travel costs.

Faro and Lake Garda: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Lake Garda?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Lake Garda. Although Faro and Lake Garda are popular destinations, Lake Garda has more sights and attractions for tourists. Lake Garda is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Faro attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and historical sights. Faro is famous for its historical sights and rich culture. Lake Garda is famous for its beautiful setting, charming towns, and fun amusement parks. It is also well known for Sirmione.

How is Faro different from Lake Garda?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Lake Garda is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. While most people come for the natural beauty, there are also great castles that you can explore. Castello Scaligeri, Grotte di Catullo, and Castello Scaligero.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda. You'll find many great local restaurants in the area. Most make use of local ingredients such as olive oil, lemons, wine, and fish. Pasta and risotto are both popular throughout the area as well.

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 Lake Garda Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Lake Garda has plenty to do after the sun goes down. You'll find clubs and bars in various towns that make for a great nightlife scene. You'll even find beach parties and fireworks shows during the most popular times of the year.

Is Faro or Lake Garda Better for Resorts?

Faro is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Lake Garda 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.

Lake Garda is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Lake Garda Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Lake Garda 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.

Lake Garda is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Lake Garda Better for Beaches?

Lake Garda is great for its beaches. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for the beach.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Lake Garda. Despite there being no ocean, there are many great swimming beaches in the area. Many have sand and great places to relax. There's also plenty of watersports to choose from.

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 Lake Garda Better for its Old Town?

Faro is a popular place for its old town. However, Lake Garda does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Faro. 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.

Lake Garda does not have a historic old town.

Is Faro or Lake Garda Better for Hiking?

Lake Garda is great for hiking. However, Faro is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Lake Garda for the hiking trails. There are many great walking and hiking trails in the area that take you through the natural beauty, connect the charming towns, and offer spectacular viewpoints.

Faro is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Faro or Lake Garda?

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

Lake Garda offers some nice shopping areas. Many villages around the lake are great for shopping. You'll find clothing stores, jewelry shops, and souvenir vendors with something for everyone.

Is Faro or Lake Garda More Beautiful?

Lake Garda is great for its scenery and beauty. However, Faro is not a destination known for its beauty.

Lake Garda is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The beautiful lake, breathtaking viewpoints, and charming villages all make this a scenic place to visit.

Faro is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Faro or Lake Garda Better for Families?

Lake Garda is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. However, Faro is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Lake Garda is an amazing family-friendly lake to visit. The nearby amusement parks, including Gardaland, make this a popular destination for families. The area also has many places to swim, trails to explore, and castles to experience. Kids and adults alike will love this amazing kid-friendly area.

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 Lake Garda Better for Couples?

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

Lake Garda is a great lake if you're traveling as a couple. You'll find a lot of families in the area because of the amusement parks, but that doesn't mean that this isn't a romantic and beautiful spot for couples. There are many charming towns to explore and scenic viewpoints to check out. There are also excellent romantic restaurants that you should try.

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 Lake Garda Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Faro and Lake Garda are nice places to visit.

It's common for backpackers to visit Faro. The are some good hostels in the area, but it's a bit tricky to get around without a car.

Lake Garda is a good resort town to visit for backpackers. There are a few good hostels around the lake that are affordable and fun. The area also see enough backpackers to keep the atmosphere fun and social.

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

Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda is fairly effecient and thorough. There are ferries, buses, and trains in the area.

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 Lake Garda a more walkable city?

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

Lake Garda is very walkable. There are walking trails that connect the villages around the lake and this how many people choose to get 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 Lake Garda Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lake Garda or Faro?

How long in Faro or Lake Garda?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda.

One day in Faro or Lake Garda?

With shopping and nightlife around the active 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 food and shopping when visiting the destination of Lake Garda. 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 Lake Garda?

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.

Lake Garda is a fun place to experience. 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 Lake Garda?

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 museums and nightlife around the scenic destination of Lake Garda. This lake 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 Lake Garda?

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 playful lake of Lake Garda 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 Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.

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

When is the best time to visit Faro or Lake Garda?

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 Lake Garda in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Faro is around the same temperature as Lake Garda. Typically, the summer temperatures in Faro in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lake Garda this time of the year. In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during summer. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Faro usually receives less rain than Lake Garda. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Faro or Lake Garda in the Autumn?

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

In October, Faro is generally a little warmer than Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 20°C (68°F), and Lake Garda fluctuates around 14°C (57°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 Lake Garda. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 137 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in October than Lake Garda. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Lake Garda in the Winter?

Both Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda this time of year.

It's quite cold in Lake Garda in the winter. Faro is much warmer than Lake Garda in the winter. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

Faro usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during winter. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 98 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Faro usually receives more rain than Lake Garda. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Faro or Lake Garda in the Spring?

Both Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Faro is a little warmer than Lake Garda. Typically, the spring temperatures in Faro in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Faro. In the spring, Faro often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 169 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in April than Lake Garda. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lake Garda and Faro