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

Should you visit Faro or Portofino?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Faro or Portofino, 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. And you can't forget about the nightlife, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Portofino

Portofino is a breathtaking, opulent, and exclusive seaside village. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Many visitors also come here because of it's amazing beauty. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include shopping, nightlife, and food.

How is Faro different from Portofino?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Is Faro or Portofino better for Food?

Foodies will appreciated the dining options available in Portofino a bit more than Faro.

The food selection is excellent in Portofino. Located by the sea, you'll enjoy tons of great seafood here. Make sure you try the mussels, swordfish, and salt cod.

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 Portofino better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is comparable in Faro and Portofino.

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.

Portofino has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Most of the nightlife is found around Piazzetta (Oliveri Square) and Molo Umberto I. Happy hours (aperitivo) start around 5pm or 6pm and then as the evening continues, the party often moves to Paraggi Beach.

Is Faro or Portofino better for Resorts?

With a similar set of options, resorts can be found in both Faro and Portofino.

Faro offers an unforgettable resort vacation. Popular resorts include Vila Vita Parc Resort and Spa, Conrad Algarve, and Tivoli Carvoeiro.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Portofino is a great choice. Known for it's exclusive luxury, there are a number of high end resorts in the area. Popular options include Splendido, Sublimis Boutique Hotel, and Grand Hotel Miramare.

Is Faro or Portofino better for Beaches?

Both Faro and Portofino have 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.

Portofino is a good option for a beach vacation. Like much of the Italian coast, the beaches in the area are dramatic and beautiful. They're also rocky and pebbly and can get a bit crowded during the summer months.

Is Faro or Portofino better for its Old Town?

Faro and Portofino both have 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 visitors explore the old town while visiting Portofino. Despite evolving into a famous resort town, Portofino still holds on to its fishing village charm.

Is Faro or Portofino better for Shopping?

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

Portofino is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The quaint cobblestone streets are lined with high end boutiques that target the opulent jet-setter crowd that frequents Portofino. Much of the shopping is around Martiri dell'Olivetta Square.

Is Faro or Portofino better for Families?

Neither Faro nor Portofino are considered to be the most family-friendly destination.

For families, Faro is not always the best place to visit. There are some nice nature reserves in the area so kids who love wildlife will enjoy a visit.

Portofino is not the most family-friendly destination. The town has a picturesque setting and some beautiful pebbly beaches. It's fun for kids to run around the town, explore by kayak, or play in the waters edge.

Is Faro or Portofino better for Couples?

Couples will find a longer list of romantic activities in Portofino than Faro.

Portofino has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Set beautifully against the ocean's edge, this famous Italian town makes for a truly romantic holiday. Ogle the mega yachts in the harbor and then wander the charming streets while you soak in the atmosphere.

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 Portofino better for Public Transit?

Faro and Portofino both offer 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.

Public transit is generally limited in Portofino. The closet train stations are Santa Margherita Ligure and Camogli. You can catch a bus from the Santa Margherita train station. There are also some ferry options.

Is Faro or Portofino a more walkable city?

Portofino is generally more walkable than Faro.

Portofino is a very easy seaside village to get around on foot. It's easy to walk around the village and then explore the countryside on one of the nearby trails.

Faro is a somewhat walkable place. The city's old town is particularly walkable.

Faro and Portofino: Pros and Cons

Should I spend more time in Portofino or Faro?

How long in Faro or Portofino?

In either Faro or Portofino, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. You can fill a similar amount of time in either place.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Faro is 2-5 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Portofino is 2-5 days.

One day in Faro or Portofino?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the resort town of Faro. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Portofino is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered around the area. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Faro or Portofino?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the active destination of Faro. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this resort town has to offer. This resort town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Portofino 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 spend here. The entire area has lots to do.

Five days in Faro or Portofino?

You'll find nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling around the busy resort town of Faro. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this resort town makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this resort town has to offer.

Portofino might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. This seaside village offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days here when traveling. Five days is often enough time to spend here.

A week in Faro or Portofino?

Faro is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Because Portofino is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.