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

Should you visit Faro or Rotterdam?

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

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

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a modern, trendy, and high energy port city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Faro and Rotterdam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Rotterdam?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Rotterdam than Faro, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Rotterdam is better known for its museums, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Faro is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and historical sights. Faro is more touristy than Rotterdam and is known for its historical sights and rich culture. Rotterdam is well known for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall. Also, Rotterdam is famous for The Cube Houses.

The Cube Houses

How is Faro different from Rotterdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Rotterdam is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Although many of the historic buildings around town were destroyed during World War II, there are still a number of sights worth checking out. Head to the Old Harbor and Marine Museums, the Museum Boijmans-van Beuningen, or the Wereldmuseum to see some interesting places.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam. The city's restaurant scene is diverse. There are ethnic restaurants, vegan restaurants, local restaurants, and some popular chains.

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 Rotterdam Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is great in both Faro and Rotterdam.

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.

Rotterdam has plenty to do after the sun goes down. It is a trendy city with an active nightlife. You can relax with a beer or hit up one of the clubs around town. Popular options are Club Vibes, Toffler, and Club Vie.

Is Faro or Rotterdam Better for Resorts?

Faro is an amazing resort town to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Rotterdam is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Faro for its luxury resorts. Popular resorts include Vila Vita Parc Resort and Spa, Conrad Algarve, and Tivoli Carvoeiro.

Rotterdam is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Rotterdam Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

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.

Rotterdam is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Rotterdam Better for Beaches?

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

Faro offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Rotterdam is not a beach destination.

Is Faro or Rotterdam Better for its Old Town?

Faro is a good destination for its historic old town charm. However, Rotterdam 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.

Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Faro or Rotterdam?

Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam. You'll find fashion and clothing shops in the area around Lijnbaan and Beurstraverse. This is also where you'll find the shopping mall of Bijenkorf.

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 Rotterdam Better for Families?

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

Rotterdam is a very family-friendly destination. Fun activities for kids include Miniworld Rotterdam, the Kids Marina, and Fun Forest, which has ziplines and a ropes course.

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 Rotterdam Better for Couples?

Faro and Rotterdam 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.

Rotterdam makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It is a modern city with good restaurants and some fun activities.

Is Faro or Rotterdam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Faro and Rotterdam 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.

Rotterdam is a good resort town to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town as well as a good nightlife that appeals to backpackers.

Is Faro or Rotterdam Better for Students?

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

Rotterdam is a great port city to visit as a student. The city has a great job market and a lot of activities that appeal to international students.

Faro is not popular with students.

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

Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam is fairly effecient and thorough. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

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 Rotterdam a more walkable city?

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

Rotterdam is very walkable. There are broad streets with wide sidewalks that are pedestrian friendly.

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 Rotterdam Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rotterdam or Faro?

How long in Faro or Rotterdam?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Faro and Rotterdam. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Faro than in Rotterdam. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Faro, and 1-3 days is enough time in Rotterdam.

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

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

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

One day in Faro or Rotterdam?

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.

Rotterdam is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Faro or Rotterdam?

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.

Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam?

You'll find nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling around the popular 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the modern big city of Rotterdam. This port city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Faro or Rotterdam?

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.

The high energy port city of Rotterdam 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 River Cruises from Amsterdam, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands.

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

Which is Bigger, Faro or Rotterdam?

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

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 Rotterdam in the Summer?

Both Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Faro is generally much warmer than Rotterdam. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 25°C (78°F), and Rotterdam fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Rotterdam. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Rotterdam during summer. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Faro usually receives less rain than Rotterdam. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Faro or Rotterdam in the Autumn?

Both Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Faro is much warmer than Rotterdam in the autumn. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Rotterdam fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

It's quite sunny in Faro. In the autumn, Faro often gets more sunshine than Rotterdam. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 105 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Rotterdam. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Rotterdam in the Winter?

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

The weather in Rotterdam can be very cold. In the winter, Faro is much warmer than Rotterdam. Typically, the winter temperatures in Faro in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Rotterdam averages at about 2°C (36°F).

Faro usually receives more sunshine than Rotterdam during winter. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Faro usually receives more rain than Rotterdam. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Faro or Rotterdam in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Faro as well as Rotterdam. The spring months attract visitors to Faro because of the beaches. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year.

In April, Faro is generally much warmer than Rotterdam. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 17°C (62°F), and Rotterdam fluctuates around 8°C (46°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 Rotterdam. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 158 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in April than Rotterdam. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rotterdam and Faro