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

Should you visit Faro or Pisa?

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

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

Pisa

Pisa is a world-famous, classic, and charming city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Faro and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Pisa?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Pisa. Although Faro and Pisa are popular destinations, Pisa has more sights and attractions for tourists. Pisa is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Faro attracts visitors for its resorts and scuba diving & snorkeling. Faro is famous for its historical sights and rich culture. Pisa is famous for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere. It is also well known for The Leaning Tower of Pisa.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

How is Faro different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Pisa 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 Pisa can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is more than a one hit wonder. In addition to the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, you'll find many beautiful buildings and museums. Popular places to visit include the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, Campo Santo (Sacred Field), and Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Pisa 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 Pisa. The local cuisine is heavily influenced by the city's maritime roots. You'll find many seafood dishes as well as local classic recipes that have been passed down through the generations. A quintessential local dish is Bordatino alla Pisana, which is made with beans, cabbage, and cornflour. Also popular are Pasta e Ceci (chickpea pasta), Palette (a local polenta), and Trippa alla Pisana.

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 Pisa Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Pisa has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Head out to an aperitivo bar for an early drink, then head to one of the area's best nightlife neighborhoods. For the biggest party scene, go about 10 kilometers out of town to the Versilian coast. This area has the most popular clubs. If you decide to stay in town, there are still plenty of places to catch live music and dance.

Is Faro or Pisa Better for Resorts?

Faro is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Pisa 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.

Pisa is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Pisa Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

Pisa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Pisa Better for Beaches?

Both Faro and Pisa have nice 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 Pisa. Many people forget that there are beaches near Pisa, but the city is close to the sea. Some of the closest beaches include Marina di Vecchiano and Marina di Pisa.

Is Faro or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

Pisa 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 Pisa to see the historical old town. The old town is where you'll find the city's classic charm and many of the best sights.

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 Pisa?

Pisa 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 Pisa. There's a great mix of traditional markets, high end stores, and indoor shopping malls where you can find anything that you might need. Corso Italia is one of the most popular shopping areas, but also worth checking out are Centro Commerciale Pisanova, Borgo Stretto and Borgo Largo.

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 Pisa Better for Families?

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

Pisa offers lots of family activities. It's a lively city with beautiful squares and the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Kids will enjoy hanging out in the city center, visiting Parco Don Bosco, Giardino Scotto Park, or Marina di Pisa. If you have a car and are willing to venture a bit further away, there's the Piccolo Mondo Amusement Park and Parco Preistorico Peccioli.

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 Pisa Better for Couples?

Faro and Pisa 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.

Pisa makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's an iconic Italian destination that offers so much more than its most famous landmark. The city is filled with charming squares, beautiful architecture, and plenty of fun activities that couples can enjoy.

Is Faro or Pisa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Pisa is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Most backpackers pass through on their way to other towns, but for those that linger, there are plenty of hostels and a lively social scene.

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 Pisa Better for Students?

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

Pisa is a great destination for students. Many study abroad students flock to Italy for its beautiful culture, art, and architecture. Pisa makes a nice base for international students, and it offers easy access to other parts of Italy. It's also home to an internationally acclaimed university, Scuola Normale Superiore, which was founded in 1810.

Faro is not popular with students.

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

Faro and Pisa both offer nice 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.

Pisa has a few public transit options. There are public buses through town with the most popular lines being the Red and Green Lines.

Is Faro or Pisa a more walkable city?

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

Pisa is very walkable. The city is a great place to explore 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 Pisa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pisa or Faro?

How long in Faro or Pisa?

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

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

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

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

One day in Faro or Pisa?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Faro. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Pisa. 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 Pisa?

Faro is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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.

Pisa 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 Pisa?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the busy destination of Faro. This resort town offers something for everyone. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the classic destination of Pisa. 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 Pisa?

The active resort town of Faro offers shopping and nightlife. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

The world-famous city of Pisa offers nightlife and food. 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 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Faro or Pisa?

Pisa has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Faro and Pisa, 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 Pisa?

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 Pisa in the Summer?

Both Pisa and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Faro in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Pisa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Faro is around the same temperature as Pisa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Faro in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Pisa averages at about 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Pisa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Pisa during summer. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Faro usually receives less rain than Pisa. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Faro or Pisa in the Autumn?

Both Pisa and Faro during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Faro for the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Pisa because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Faro is generally a little warmer than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 20°C (68°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Faro. In the autumn, Faro often gets more sunshine than Pisa. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 177 hours of full sun.

Pisa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Faro usually gets less rain in October than Pisa. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Pisa in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Pisa. The winter months attract visitors to Faro because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Pisa this time of year.

Faro is much warmer than Pisa in the winter. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Pisa fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Faro usually receives more sunshine than Pisa during winter. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Faro usually receives more rain than Pisa. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Faro or Pisa in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Faro as well as Pisa. The beaches are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Pisa for the beaches and the natural beauty.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Faro this time of the year. In the spring, Faro often gets more sunshine than Pisa. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 192 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pisa. Faro usually gets less rain in April than Pisa. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pisa and Faro