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

Should you visit Faro or Oxford?

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

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

Oxford

Oxford is a historic, scholarly, and collegiate college town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Faro and Oxford: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Oxford?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Faro. Although Faro and Oxford are both popular with visitors, Faro has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Faro is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and historical sights, while Oxford is known for its museums, food, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Faro is more touristy than Oxford and is known for its historical sights and rich culture. It is also home to The Arco da Vila. Oxford is popular for being home to one of the world's most notable universities.

How is Faro different from Oxford?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Oxford 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 Oxford can be an interesting and educational experience. This town is filled with culture, history, and world class museums. Check out the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, The Museum of Modern Art, Ashmolean Museum, or the Museum of Oxford.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Oxford is a nice place to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Faro is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Oxford. In addition to the typical British pubs and fish and chips shops, you'll find a wide diversity of ethnic food around town. Thai, sushi, Indian, and more are common dining options. Head to the Oxford Covered Market to try a traditional British breakfast or have some delicious ice cream.

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 Oxford Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Oxford has plenty to do after the sun goes down. As a college town, you'll find an active nightlife scene with trivia nights and plenty of parties. There are pubs around town where you can grab a drink or find out if there's a concert while you're in town.

Is Faro or Oxford Better for Resorts?

Faro is very popular for its luxury resorts. However, Oxford 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.

Oxford is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Oxford Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a nice place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Oxford 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.

Oxford is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Oxford Better for Beaches?

Faro is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Oxford 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.

Oxford is not a beach destination.

Is Faro or Oxford Better for its Old Town?

Faro is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Oxford does not have a historic old town.

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.

Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Faro or Oxford?

If you're looking to go shopping, Faro and Oxford both offer plenty of good 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.

Oxford offers some nice shopping areas. Shops around town offer the perfect opportunity to pick up some Oxford gear or by a few items from the Harry Potter franchise.

Is Faro or Oxford Better for Families?

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

Oxford offers lots of family activities. Families will enjoy taking a paddle boat out on the water and exploring the beautiful setting. There are also a number of sights that were influential in the making of Harry Potter. In particular, you'll find the inspiration for the "Great Hall" if you take a tour of Christ Church College. The tour must be booked in advance and they often sell out. Older kids will also enjoy exploring the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

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 Oxford Better for Couples?

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

Oxford is a great college town if you're traveling as a couple. The beautiful campus and striking architecture make this a great destination for romance. Hire a boat and explore the water or wander through one of the impressive gardens.

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 Oxford Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Faro is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Oxford 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.

Oxford is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels around town that offer affordable accommodation. As a college town, Oxford also has an active nightlife scene and a young crowd that keeps things affordable and fun.

Is Faro or Oxford Better for Students?

Oxford is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Faro is not popular with students.

Oxford is a great destination for students. At its heart, Oxford is a college town and students are at the heart of the city and its culture.

Faro is not popular with students.

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

Faro and Oxford both offer good 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.

Oxford has a few public transit options. There are buses available if your legs get tired.

Is Faro or Oxford a more walkable city?

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

Oxford is very walkable. The best way to explore most of the town is on foot, so you can soak up the full collegiate atmosphere.

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 Oxford Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oxford or Faro?

How long in Faro or Oxford?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Faro than Oxford 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 Faro.

One day in Faro or Oxford?

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.

Oxford is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Faro or Oxford?

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.

Oxford is a fun place to experience. 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 Oxford?

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.

Oxford is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This college town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Faro or Oxford?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the popular 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.

Because Oxford is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. 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 United Kingdom, and The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom.

When comparing the travel costs between Faro and Oxford, we can see that Oxford 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 Oxford Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Faro or Oxford?

Oxford has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Faro and Oxford, 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 Oxford?

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 Oxford in the Summer?

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

Faro is a little warmer than Oxford in the summer. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Oxford fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Oxford during summer. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies, while Oxford receives 195 hours of full sun in the summer.

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

Should I visit Faro or Oxford in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Faro is much warmer than Oxford. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Faro in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Oxford averages at about 11°C (52°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 Oxford. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oxford receives 107 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets more rain in October than Oxford. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Oxford receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Oxford in the Winter?

Both Oxford 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 Oxford in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Oxford can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Faro is generally much warmer than Oxford. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 12°C (54°F), and Oxford fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Faro usually receives more sunshine than Oxford during winter. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Oxford receives 52 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Faro usually receives more rain than Oxford. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Oxford receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Faro or Oxford in the Spring?

Both Oxford 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 Oxford for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

Faro is much warmer than Oxford in the spring. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Oxford fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It's quite sunny in Faro. In the spring, Faro often gets more sunshine than Oxford. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oxford receives 147 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in April than Oxford. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Oxford receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Oxford and Faro