A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Faro vs. Pompeii for Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Faro or Pompeii?

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

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

Pompeii

Pompeii is a one-of-a-kind, ancient, and famous archeological site. Other reasons to visit include museums.

Faro and Pompeii: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Pompeii?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Pompeii than Faro, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Pompeii is better known for its museums, while Faro is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and shopping. Pompeii is more touristy than Faro and is known for its well preserved archaeological ruins that are still intact following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Also, Pompeii is famous for the Pompeii Archaeological Ruins. Faro is well known for its historical sights and rich culture.

The Pompeii Archaeological Ruins

How is Faro different from Pompeii?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Pompeii is a must-visit destination for its historical sights. However, Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Pompeii from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. Pompeii is a city frozen in time and it is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. The streets remain as they once stood, lined with shops and homes. Highlights of a visit include the Forum, the Antiquarium, the Temple of Isis, and the Teatro Grande.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Faro is a decent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Faro may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. 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.

While Pompeii is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. While there is a café near the Forum, the quality of the food isn't great and it can get crowded. You'd do best to bring your own food as the site is large and you'll want to eat on your own schedule.

Is Faro or Pompeii Better for Nightlife?

Faro is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for nightlife.

Faro has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city's bustling party scene thrives along Rua de São Pedro, Rua Conselheiro Bívar, and Rua do Prior.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Pompeii. As a popular tourist destination, you'll find some bars nearby, but most people visit as a day trip and head out of town before the evening hours.

Is Faro or Pompeii Better for Resorts?

Faro is renowned for its luxury resorts. However, Pompeii is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Faro is a perfect choice. Popular resorts include Vila Vita Parc Resort and Spa, Conrad Algarve, and Tivoli Carvoeiro.

Pompeii is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Pompeii Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is very good for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Pompeii is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Faro. 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.

Pompeii is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Pompeii Better for Beaches?

Faro is very good for the beach. However, Pompeii is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Faro to enjoy the beach. 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.

Pompeii is not a beach destination.

Is Faro or Pompeii Better for its Old Town?

Faro is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

Faro has an old town worth visiting. 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.

Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Faro or Pompeii?

Faro is very good for its shopping areas. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for shopping.

Faro has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Pompeii has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some souvenir stands outside of the site where you can buy trinkets to remember your visit.

Is Faro or Pompeii Better for Families?

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

Pompeii is a very family-friendly destination. Its a city frozen in time, and even kids will get lost in the history and story behind Pompeii. The trick is to find a kid-friendly tour and understand the layout before you arrive. Because it's so big, you want to know which places to visit and which you might want to skip with kids who have short attention spans.

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 Pompeii Better for Couples?

Faro and Pompeii are both notable 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.

Pompeii makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's an iconic destination in Italy, and should be added to any Italian trip itinerary. It's not exactly a romantic destination, but it's something that every visitor should see.

Is Faro or Pompeii Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Faro and Pompeii are notable 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.

Pompeii is a good resort town to visit for backpackers. It's touristy and crowded, but also world renowned and not-to-be-missed. Whether you're a backpacker or a luxury traveler, Pompeii is on most itineraries.

Is Faro or Pompeii Better for Students?

Pompeii 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 Pompeii. It's history and educational significance make it a great study abroad destination, whether you visit alone, with friends, or as part of a tour group.

Faro is not popular with students.

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

Faro and Pompeii both offer notable 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.

Pompeii has a few public transit options. Many visitors from Sorrento and Naples arrive via the the Circumvesuviana train. There are also buses from many different locations.

Is Faro or Pompeii a more walkable city?

Pompeii 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.

Pompeii is a very easy archeological site to get around on foot. You can walk around the entire site in about 4 hours, but you'll really want to allow a full day if you want to see everything in depth.

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 Pompeii Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pompeii or Faro?

How long in Faro or Pompeii?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Faro or Pompeii to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Faro than Pompeii because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Faro, and 1-2 days is enough time in Pompeii.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Faro than Pompeii 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 Pompeii?

In Faro, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This resort town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Visitors enjoy the museums when visiting the destination of Pompeii. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Faro or Pompeii?

In Faro, you'll find nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Faro has to offer.

Pompeii is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the museums. 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 Pompeii?

Faro is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Faro has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find museums around the one-of-a-kind destination of Pompeii. This archeological site offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Faro or Pompeii?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Faro. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Faro. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

The iconic archeological site of Pompeii offers museums. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

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

When is the best time to visit Faro or Pompeii?

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 Pompeii in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Pompeii. Most visitors come to Faro for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Pompeii because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Faro is generally around the same temperature as Pompeii. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 25°C (78°F), and Pompeii fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pompeii this time of the year. In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Pompeii during summer. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Faro usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Faro or Pompeii in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Faro as well as Pompeii. The autumn months attract visitors to Faro because of the shopping scene.

Faro is a little warmer than Pompeii in the autumn. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Pompeii fluctuates around 17°C (63°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 Pompeii. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pompeii. Faro usually gets less rain in October than Pompeii. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Pompeii in the Winter?

Both Pompeii and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pompeii for the museums.

In the winter, Faro is much warmer than Pompeii. Typically, the winter temperatures in Faro in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Pompeii averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Faro usually receives more sunshine than Pompeii during winter. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pompeii. In January, Faro usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Faro or Pompeii in the Spring?

Both Pompeii and Faro during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Faro for the beaches.

In April, Faro is generally a little warmer than Pompeii. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 17°C (62°F), and Pompeii fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Faro. In the spring, Faro often gets more sunshine than Pompeii. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in April than Pompeii. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pompeii and Faro