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

Should you visit Faro or Nantes?

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

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

Nantes

Nantes is a friendly, historical, and beautiful city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Faro and Nantes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Nantes?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Nantes than Faro, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Nantes is better known for its museums, food, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Faro is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Faro is more touristy than Nantes and is known for its historical sights and rich culture. Nantes is well known for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens. Also, Nantes is famous for The Castle of the Dukes of Brittany.

How is Faro different from Nantes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Nantes is great for its historical sights. However, Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Nantes can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with historical monuments, particularly in the Bouffay District. Highlights include Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, Château des Ducs de Bretagne, and the Musée d'Arts de Nantes.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Nantes 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, Nantes is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The region lends itself to unique flavors with a great mix of seafood from the Atlantic, freshwater fish from the Loire, and dairy from the surrounding countryside. The region is also famous for its wine. Local dishes that you should try include Filet de Sandre au Beurre Blanc (fresh fish in butter sauce), Crepes Bretonnes (breakfast crepes), and Le Canard Nantais (duck with Muscadet 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 Nantes Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Nantes has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The large student population heavily influences the nightlife scene. You'll find a young vibe with a lot of bars and clubs to choose from, particularly around Île de Nantes.

Is Faro or Nantes Better for Resorts?

Faro is an unbeatable place for its luxury resorts. However, Nantes 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.

Nantes is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Nantes Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Nantes 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.

Nantes is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Nantes Better for Beaches?

Faro is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Nantes 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.

Nantes is not a beach destination.

Is Faro or Nantes Better for its Old Town?

Faro and Nantes both have notable historical old towns that attract visitors.

Faro is a good destination for visiting its 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.

Many people head to Nantes to see the old town. The city's old town is in the Bouffay District and it is filled with half-timbered houses and a maze of streets and shops.

Is the Shopping Better in Faro or Nantes?

Nantes is great for shopping. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Nantes. There are impressive shopping streets, boutique stores, and grand shopping malls. Make sure you check out Rue Crébillon, Passage Pommeraye, and the shops around the Bouffay District. Talensac Market is also a historical covered market that you can explore.

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 Nantes Better for Families?

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

Nantes is a very family-friendly destination. It's filled with gardens, museums, and theme parks, making it a great combination of fascinating activities for adults and kids alike. Some of the top kid-friendly activities include a visit to Machine of the Isle of Nantes (both a theme park and a museum), seeing a show at Le Lieu Unique, or experiencing Naudières Park (a smaller theme park). Kids will also enjoy seeing Goulaine Castle or wandering around Jardin Extraordinaire or the Botanical Gardens.

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 Nantes Better for Couples?

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

Nantes is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There is a mix of both natural and historical beauty. Couples can enjoy a nice meal, stroll through one of the many parks and gardens, or even spend the day at the spa.

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 Nantes Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Faro is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Nantes is lacking in good options for backpackers.

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.

Nantes is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't as many hostels as you would expect in the area, so finding an affordable and social place to stay may be a bit challenging.

Is Faro or Nantes Better for Students?

Nantes 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 Nantes. There's a decent sized student population and the city has a welcoming atmosphere. It's also easy to get around with public transportation.

Faro is not popular with students.

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

Nantes 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 Nantes is fairly effecient and thorough. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

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 Nantes a more walkable city?

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

Nantes is very walkable. The city is very walkable. Both locals and tourists alike choose to walk in Nantes.

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 Nantes Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nantes or Faro?

How long in Faro or Nantes?

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

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

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

One day in Faro or Nantes?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Faro. You can also relax and pamper yourself 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 Nantes. 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 Nantes?

Faro is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Nantes is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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 Nantes?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Faro. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Nantes. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Faro or Nantes?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the busy destination of Faro. This resort town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

The historical city of Nantes offers nightlife and food. 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 in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Faro or Nantes?

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

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 Nantes in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Nantes. The summer months attract visitors to Faro because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nantes this time of year.

In July, Faro is generally a little warmer than Nantes. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 25°C (78°F), and Nantes fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nantes this time of the year. In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Nantes during summer. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Faro usually receives less rain than Nantes. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Faro or Nantes in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Faro as well as Nantes. The shopping scene are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Nantes for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Faro is much warmer than Nantes in the autumn. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Nantes fluctuates around 13°C (56°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 Nantes. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 141 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in October than Nantes. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Nantes in the Winter?

Both Nantes and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Faro for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Nantes in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Faro is much warmer than Nantes. Typically, the winter temperatures in Faro in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Nantes averages at about 6°C (42°F).

Faro usually receives more sunshine than Nantes during winter. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Faro usually receives less rain than Nantes. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Faro or Nantes in the Spring?

Both Nantes and Faro during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Faro in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Nantes for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Faro is generally much warmer than Nantes. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 17°C (62°F), and Nantes fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

It's quite sunny in Faro. In the spring, Faro often gets more sunshine than Nantes. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 187 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in April than Nantes. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Nantes and Faro