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

Should you visit Faro or Lille?

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

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

Lille

Lille is a cultural, culinary, and friendly city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Faro and Lille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Lille?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Lille. Although Faro and Lille are popular destinations, Lille has more sights and attractions for tourists. Lille is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Faro attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Faro is more touristy than Lille and is popular for its historical sights and rich culture. Lille is famous for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene. It is also well known for Grand Place (Place du Général de Gaulle).

Grand Place (Place du Général de Gaulle)

How is Faro different from Lille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lille is adequate for its historical sights. However, Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to Lille specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The city offers an amazing atmosphere, with many of the most beautiful buildings near Place du Général de Gaulle (the main square). Top rated attractions in town include Palais des Beaux-Arts, Musée du Louvre-Lens, and Eglise Saint-Maurice.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Lille 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, Lille is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city has a cuisine all its own. There are many local dishes that are recommended with some of the most popular being les moules (mussels), the Welsh (a beer and cheddar cheese dish), and la carbonade flamande (beef stew). Most dishes are served with a hearty side of fries. The mussels are a favorite and are served with various toppings including local cheese. You can expect your very own pot of mussels with each order. Many of the restaurants around the main square (General de Gaulle Square) offer these local specialties. Outside the old town you'll also find plenty of international restaurants including Asian street food.

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 Lille Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is superb in both Faro and Lille.

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.

Lille has plenty to do after the sun goes down. With its young population and countless places to hang out, there's rarely a dull night around town. The most popular nightlife areas are Rue Masséna and Rue Solférino. The city also offers plenty of theaters and shows that you can enjoy.

Is Faro or Lille Better for Resorts?

Faro is very popular for its resorts. However, Lille is not a resort destination.

Faro offers an unforgettable resort vacation. Popular resorts include Vila Vita Parc Resort and Spa, Conrad Algarve, and Tivoli Carvoeiro.

Lille is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Lille Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Lille is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

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.

Lille is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Lille Better for Beaches?

Faro is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Lille is not a beach destination.

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.

Lille is not a beach destination.

Is Faro or Lille Better for its Old Town?

Lille is great for its historic old town. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its old town.

Many visitors go to Lille to see the historical old town. The old town (Le Vieux Lille) is charming to explore. Many of the buildings are from the 16th or 17th centuries and feature very ornate architecture. The area is filled with shops and restaurants and it stays active throughout the day. This is an area where locals and tourists alike live and play.

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 Lille?

Lille is a must-visit destination for shopping. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Lille. The city is filled with shopping opportunities. Almost any store you could want is in or around the old town and the two main shopping centers in town are McArthur Glen and A l'Usine. Also by the train station is a shopping mall.

Faro offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

Is Faro or Lille Better for Families?

Neither Faro nor Lille are considered to be the most family-friendly destination.

For families, Faro is not always the best place to visit. There are some nice nature reserves in the area so kids who love wildlife will enjoy a visit.

Lille is not the most family-friendly destination. There are a handful of kid-focused activities like a small zoo, a small amusement park, several museums and even a puppet theater. Many of the restaurants also have kid's menus that are reasonably priced.

Is Faro or Lille Better for Couples?

Faro and Lille are both nice to visit as a couple.

Faro is a nice destination for couples. With the beautiful natural areas and historic old town, this seaport makes a nice couples vacation.

Lille makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy shopping, dining out, and exploring beautiful cities will enjoy a visit. There are many great restaurants worth experiencing, as well as beautiful architecture and fun shops.

Is Faro or Lille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Faro and Lille 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.

Lille is a good resort town to visit for backpackers. This small city flies under the radar for most backpackers, but there are a handful of hostels and a great experience for those who venture here. It feels more off the beaten path than some French cities, but you'll find great food and a nice atmosphere.

Is Faro or Lille Better for Students?

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

Lille is a great city to visit as a student. The city is home to a number of students, both local and international. It has a lower cost of living than many places in France as well as a youthful vibe with fun activities and plenty of shopping.

Faro is not popular with students.

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

Lille 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 Lille is fairly effecient and thorough. There is a metro as well as trams and buses throughout the city.

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 Lille a more walkable city?

Lille 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.

Lille is a very easy city to get around on foot. The old town in particular is compact and best explored on foot, but even outside of the old town, many areas are easily 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 Lille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lille or Faro?

How long in Faro or Lille?

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

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

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

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

One day in Faro or Lille?

In Faro, many people enjoy the nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling that this active 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.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Lille. 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 Lille?

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.

Lille 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 Lille?

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.

You'll find food and shopping around the friendly destination of Lille. This city 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 Lille?

You'll find nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling around the active 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.

The culinary city of Lille 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 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

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

Which is Bigger, Faro or Lille?

Lille has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Faro and Lille, 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 Lille?

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 Lille in the Summer?

Both Lille and Faro during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Faro because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lille this time of year.

In the summer, Faro is a little warmer than Lille. Typically, the summer temperatures in Faro in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Lille averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In Lille, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Faro. In the summer, Faro often gets more sunshine than Lille. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 202 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in July than Lille. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Lille receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Lille in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Lille. The shopping scene are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Faro is generally much warmer than Lille. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 20°C (68°F), and Lille fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Lille during autumn. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Faro usually receives less rain than Lille. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Lille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Faro or Lille in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Faro as well as Lille. Many travelers come to Faro for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Lille in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Lille can get quite cold in the winter. Faro is much warmer than Lille in the winter. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Lille fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Faro often gets more sunshine than Lille. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 47 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets more rain in January than Lille. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lille receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Lille in the Spring?

Both Lille and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Faro in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Lille for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Faro is much warmer than Lille. Typically, the spring temperatures in Faro in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Lille averages at about 8°C (47°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Lille during spring. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Faro usually receives less rain than Lille. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Lille receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lille and Faro