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

Should you visit Faro or Positano?

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

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

Positano

Positano is a charming, picturesque, and colorful Mediterranean village. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. Many visitors also come 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, food, and beaches.

Faro and Positano: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Positano?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Positano than Faro, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Positano is better known for its food, historical sights, hiking, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Faro is more popular for its nightlife and scuba diving & snorkeling. Positano is more touristy than Faro and is known for its beautiful cliffside setting, its colorful buildings, and its quintessential Amalfi atmosphere. Also, Positano is famous for The Church of Santa Maria Assunta. Faro is well known for its historical sights and rich culture.

How is Faro different from Positano?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Positano and Faro. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

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

Positano 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, Positano is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Seafood is the obvious choice along the Amalfi Coast but Positano is also famous for its salami, chestnuts, cheese, and figs.

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 Positano Better for Nightlife?

Faro is great for its evening party scene. However, Positano is not a good destination for nightlife.

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.

Most people don't head to Positano specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The town has a relaxing nightlife that is usually centered around the clubs found at nearby resorts.

Is Faro or Positano Better for Resorts?

With a similar set of options, world-class resorts can be found in both Faro and Positano.

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

Positano is a world class resort vacation destination. The town has a number of luxury resorts including Le Sirenuse, Il San Pietro di Positano, and Hotel Le Agavi.

Is Faro or Positano Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Positano is not a good destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery 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.

Snorkeling is an option in Positano. There are snorkeling boat trips that you can book to enjoy exploring the undersea world.

Is Faro or Positano Better for Beaches?

Both Faro and Positano have notable 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 Positano. Like the rest of the Amalfi Coast, beaches near Positano tend to be pebbly instead of sandy. They can also get a bit crowded during the summer months. Still, the picturesque setting makes these beaches truly amazing. The main beach at the edge of town is Spiaggia Grande, but there are several others nearby as well.

Is Faro or Positano Better for its Old Town?

Positano is a must-visit destination for its historic old town. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its old town.

The rich history of Positano can be explored in its historical center. Exploring the old town, soaking up the atmosphere, and simply enjoying the colorful buildings is what a trip to Positano is all about.

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 Faro or Positano Better for Hiking?

Positano is great for hiking. However, Faro is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Positano for the hiking trails. The best way to explore the area out of town is on foot. There are a number of foot paths and trails that will take you through the stunning landscapes.

Faro is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Faro or Positano?

Positano 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 Positano. The main street in town is lined with quaint shops that sell local lemon products, ceramics, clothing, and more.

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 Positano Better for Families?

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

Positano offers lots of family activities. Fun activities include boat rides, eating gelato, and hanging out at the beach. Some of the best family-friendly beaches are Spiaggia Grande, Fornillo Beach, and Arienzo Beach.

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 Positano Better for Couples?

Positano is a must-visit destination for romance. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its romantic activities.

Positano has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It is a picturesque coast town that is both romantic and fun. Wandering through the streets and sampling Italian food make this the perfect honeymoon 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 Positano Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Faro and Positano 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.

Positano is a good resort town to visit for backpackers. The town has a handful of great hostels that make the Amalfi Coast accessible to backpackers on a budget.

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

Faro and Positano 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.

Positano has a few public transit options. You can walk everywhere once you arrive, and the SITA bus travels to and from the town.

Is Faro or Positano a more walkable city?

Positano 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.

Positano is a very easy Mediterranean village to get around on foot. The town is best explored on foot. You can wander the quaint streets or take the foot path to the beach or nearby castles.

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 Positano Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Positano or Faro?

How long in Faro or Positano?

Both Faro and Positano have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Positano than in Faro. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Faro, and 2-7 days is enough time in Positano.

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

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

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

One day in Faro or Positano?

The resort town of Faro offers nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Positano is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Positano?

Faro is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this resort town makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Faro, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

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

Five days in Faro or Positano?

Faro is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Faro, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Positano might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. This Mediterranean village offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Positano?

Faro is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This resort town offers something for everyone.

Even though Positano is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

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 Italy, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Faro and Positano, we can see that Positano is more expensive. And not only is Faro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Faro would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Faro and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Positano would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Positano than you might in Faro.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Faro Expensive? and Is Positano Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Faro or Positano?

Faro has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Positano. When comparing the sizes of Faro and Positano, 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 Positano?

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 Positano in the Summer?

Both Positano and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Faro for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Positano in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

It's quite sunny in Positano. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Positano during summer. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies, while Positano receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

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

Should I visit Faro or Positano in the Autumn?

Both Positano and Faro during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Faro in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Positano for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Faro is a little warmer than Positano in the autumn. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Positano fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Faro. In the autumn, Faro often gets more sunshine than Positano. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Positano receives 189 hours of full sun.

Positano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Faro usually gets less rain in October than Positano. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Positano receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Positano in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Positano. Most visitors come to Faro for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Positano because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

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

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

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

Should I visit Faro or Positano in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Faro as well as Positano. The spring months attract visitors to Faro because of the beaches. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Positano this time of year.

In April, Faro is generally a little warmer than Positano. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 17°C (62°F), and Positano fluctuates around 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 Positano. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Positano receives 189 hours of full sun.

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

Typical Weather for Positano and Faro