A Travel Price Comparison for Portugal Faro vs. Porto for Food, Backpackers, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Faro or Porto?

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

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

Porto

Porto is a dynamic, historic, and cultural port city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Faro and Porto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Porto?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Porto. Although Faro and Porto are both popular with visitors, Porto has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Porto is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Faro is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Faro is popular for its historical sights and rich culture. Porto is popular for its authentic old town and the local port wine. It is also home to Cais da Ribeira.

How is Faro different from Porto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Porto 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 Porto can be an interesting and educational experience. With such a long history, there are many landmarks and sights in the city. Popular attractions include the Clérigos Tower, Palácio da Bolsa, and Igreja de São Francisco.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Porto 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, Porto is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The area's cuisine combines the ocean setting with the agriculture of the surrounding area, so you'll enjoy both seafood dishes as well as fresh meats and vegetables. The area is also famous for its Port wines and red wines. There are plenty of cellar tours as well was waterfront seafood restaurants to choose from.

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 Porto Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is excellent in both Faro and Porto.

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.

Porto has plenty to do after the sun goes down. This city comes to life in the evening, particularly on weekends when locals and tourists alike flock to the many bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.

Is Faro or Porto Better for Resorts?

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

Porto is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Porto Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is very good for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Porto 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.

Porto is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Porto Better for Beaches?

Faro is very good for its beaches. However, Porto 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.

Porto is not a beach destination.

Is Faro or Porto Better for its Old Town?

Porto 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 Porto to see the historical old town. Known as Porto Ribeira, the city's historic district is the most visited part of the town. It begins on the banks of the River Douro and climbs into the hills behind it.

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 Porto?

If you're looking to go shopping, Faro and Porto 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.

Porto offers some nice shopping areas. The city has both your standard shopping mall stores as well as local vendors and boutique shops.

Is Faro or Porto Better for Families?

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

Porto is a very family-friendly destination. The city has several cool museums including the interactive museum - The World of Discoveries. There are also parks, playgrounds, zoos, and aquariums that you can explore. For families that enjoy being outside, this is a great city. Kids will enjoy spotting street art, riding the funicular, and taking a cellar tour. If the kids need a break from the city, head to the beach for the day.

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 Porto Better for Couples?

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

Porto is a great port city if you're traveling as a couple. You can visit the palaces, enjoy shopping, or dine in a nice Portuguese restaurant. Take a cellar tour and sample port then catch a ride on the funicular. This city has plenty for couples to do on a romantic getaway.

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 Porto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Porto is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Porto. By combining world-class activities with affordability, this city has become a popular stop off for backpackers in the area.

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 Porto Better for Students?

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

Porto is a great port city to visit as a student. The city has a number of good research programs and study abroad opportunities that attract international students from around the world.

Faro is not popular with students.

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

Porto 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 Porto is fairly effecient and thorough. There is a metro system as well as a bus system. While the metro system does have six lines, most stations aren't close to the tourist attractions, so it likely won't be that helpful to visitors.

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 Porto a more walkable city?

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

Porto is very walkable. The city center is very compact with most of the sights within a short walk of each other. The area is also very hilly, so getting from place to place can require a bit of effort.

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 Porto Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Porto or Faro?

How long in Faro or Porto?

In either Faro or Porto, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Porto has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Porto than Faro. However, 2-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Faro or Porto?

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

Porto is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Porto?

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.

Porto is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. 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 Porto?

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.

Porto is a historic big city where you can fill many days. This port city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Faro or Porto?

You'll find nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling around the busy 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 historic port city of Porto 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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Portugal, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Portugal.

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

Which is Bigger, Faro or Porto?

Porto has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Faro and Porto, 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 Porto?

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 Porto in the Summer?

Both Porto and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Faro for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Porto because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Faro is a little warmer than Porto in the summer. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Porto fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

It's quite sunny in Porto. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Porto during summer. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies, while Porto receives 308 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Faro usually receives less rain than Porto. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Porto receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Faro or Porto in the Autumn?

Both Porto and Faro during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Faro because of the shopping scene. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Porto this time of year.

In the autumn, Faro is a little warmer than Porto. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Faro in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Porto averages at about 17°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Faro. In the autumn, Faro often gets more sunshine than Porto. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Porto receives 184 hours of full sun.

Porto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Faro usually gets less rain in October than Porto. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Porto receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Porto in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Porto. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Porto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Faro is generally a little warmer than Porto. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 12°C (54°F), and Porto fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Faro usually receives more sunshine than Porto during winter. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Porto receives 124 hours of full sun in the winter.

Porto receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Faro usually receives less rain than Porto. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Porto receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Faro or Porto in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Faro as well as Porto. Many travelers come to Faro for the beaches. Additionally, many visitors come to Porto in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Faro is a little warmer than Porto in the spring. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Porto fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Porto. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Faro this time of the year. In the spring, Faro often gets more sunshine than Porto. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Porto receives 217 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Porto. Faro usually gets less rain in April than Porto. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Porto receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Porto and Faro