A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Faro vs. Rijeka for Nightlife, Families, Food, and Beaches

Should you visit Faro or Rijeka?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Faro or Rijeka, 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. Other popular activities here include nightlife, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Rijeka

Rijeka is a diverse, slow-paced, and coastal town. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Faro and Rijeka: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Rijeka?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Rijeka than Faro, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Rijeka is better known for its museums, food, and big city activities, while Faro is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and historical sights. Faro is more touristy than Rijeka and is popular for its historical sights and rich culture. Rijeka is well known for being a transportation hub in Croatia with a ferry and cruise ship port. Also, Rijeka is famous for Trsat Castle.

How is Faro different from Rijeka?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Rijeka is a nice place to visit for its historical sights. However, Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

Rijeka is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Historical sights around town include Trsat Castle, the Petar Druzic Stairway, and Our Lady of Trsat. There are also museums such as PEEK&POKE Computer Museum and the Governor's Palace and Maritime and Historical Museum.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Rijeka is a nice place to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Faro is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Rijeka. It's known for its Mediterranean cuisine which includes more than seafood. There are local vegetable specialties in the area as well including asparagus and white truffles. Codfish stew and cuttlefish risotto are also popular.

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 Rijeka Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Rijeka has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city center has plenty of bars and clubs. Restaurants also stay open late and are popular places to hang out for locals and tourists alike.

Is Faro or Rijeka Better for Resorts?

Faro is renowned for its resorts. However, Rijeka 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.

Rijeka is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Rijeka Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is very good for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Rijeka 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.

Rijeka is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Rijeka Better for Beaches?

Faro is very good for the beach. However, Rijeka is not a good town for its beaches.

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.

Rijeka is a good spot to see the beach. There are pebbly and gravelly beaches in the area, with the best beaches to the west of the city. You'll need to take a public bus to reach most of them.

Is Faro or Rijeka Better for its Old Town?

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

Faro offers a nice historic old town area. 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.

Rijeka does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Faro or Rijeka?

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

Rijeka offers some nice shopping areas. There are many shopping centers, retail stores, and souvenir shops around town.

Is Faro or Rijeka Better for Families?

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

Rijeka is a very family-friendly destination. The city has a number of outdoor activities for kids like nature parks and nearby beaches. There's also a puppet theater as well as the Astronomical Center of Rijeka.

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 Rijeka Better for Couples?

Faro and Rijeka 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.

Rijeka makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a gateway to the Croatian islands. Many couples enjoy walking down the waterfront promenade or dining at a nice local restaurant. There are also beaches, parks, and historical sights to explore.

Is Faro or Rijeka Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Faro and Rijeka 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.

Rijeka is a good resort town to visit for backpackers. There's no shortage of affordable hostels around town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Faro or Rijeka Better for Students?

Rijeka 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 Rijeka. It's a laid back seaside city that makes a nice semester abroad destination. As a gateway to the Croatian islands, it also offers transportation connections to other points of interest.

Faro is not popular with students.

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

Faro and Rijeka 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.

Rijeka has a few public transit options. KD Autrolej buses provide transit throughout the city.

Is Faro or Rijeka a more walkable city?

Faro and Rijeka are notable when it comes to walkability.

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

Rijeka is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Faro Worth Visiting? and Is Rijeka Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rijeka or Faro?

How long in Faro or Rijeka?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Faro or Rijeka to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Faro than Rijeka 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 Rijeka.

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

Couples should spend more time in Faro than Rijeka. 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.

One day in Faro or Rijeka?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Faro. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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

A weekend in Faro or Rijeka?

Faro is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Rijeka is a fun place to experience. 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 Rijeka?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Faro. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the coastal destination of Rijeka. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Faro or Rijeka?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the busy destination of Faro. This resort town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

The diverse town of Rijeka offers nightlife and food. 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 Adventure Tours to Croatia, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Croatia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Faro and Rijeka, we can see that Faro is more expensive. And not only is Rijeka much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rijeka would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rijeka 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 Faro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Faro than you might in Rijeka.

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

Which is Bigger, Faro or Rijeka?

Rijeka has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Faro and Rijeka, 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 Rijeka?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Faro or Rijeka in the Summer?

Both Rijeka and Faro during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Faro for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Rijeka because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Faro is generally around the same temperature as Rijeka. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 25°C (78°F), and Rijeka fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Rijeka, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Faro. In the summer, Faro often gets more sunshine than Rijeka. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 288 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in July than Rijeka. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Rijeka in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Rijeka. The autumn months attract visitors to Faro because of the shopping scene. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Rijeka this time of year.

Faro is a little warmer than Rijeka in the autumn. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Rijeka fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Rijeka during autumn. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Faro usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Faro or Rijeka in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Faro as well as Rijeka. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Rijeka for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Faro is much warmer than Rijeka. Typically, the winter temperatures in Faro in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Rijeka averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Faro often gets more sunshine than Rijeka. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 96 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets more rain in January than Rijeka. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Rijeka in the Spring?

Both Rijeka and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Faro for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to Rijeka in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Faro is generally a little warmer than Rijeka. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 17°C (62°F), and Rijeka fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Rijeka during spring. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Faro usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rijeka and Faro