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

Should you visit Faro or Salzburg?

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

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

Salzburg

Salzburg is a recognizable, historic, and beautiful city. 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 museums, nightlife, and live music.

Faro and Salzburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Salzburg?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Salzburg than Faro, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Salzburg is better known for its museums, food, music, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Faro is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Salzburg is more touristy than Faro and is popular for its elegant breakfasts, its classical music scene, and its role in the Sound of Music. Also, Salzburg is famous for The Salzburg Old Town. Faro is well known for its historical sights and rich culture.

The Salzburg Old Town

How is Faro different from Salzburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Salzburg 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 Salzburg can be an interesting and educational experience. There are many historic sights to explore including Mozart's birthplace, the Mozart Residence, the Salzburg Museum, and the many stunning churches and concert halls.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Salzburg is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Faro is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Salzburg. The old town is filled with charming restaurants that serve local specialties including schnitzel, tafelspitz, and strudel. The city is also known for it's impressive breakfast spread that is often served on a three tiered cake stand and includes cheeses, salami, fresh fruit, pastries, olives, jams and more.

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 Salzburg Better for Nightlife?

Faro is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Faro offers plenty to do in the evening. The city's bustling party scene thrives along Rua de São Pedro, Rua Conselheiro Bívar, and Rua do Prior.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Salzburg. The city has a number of trendy bars, pubs, and clubs where you can enjoy music and a lively atmosphere.

Is Faro or Salzburg Better for Music?

Salzburg is a must-visit destination for live music. However, Faro is not a live music destination.

Salzburg is known as a music capital around the world. Although most people think of Mozart and the Sound of Music when they think of this city, there are also many music festivals, including the famous Salzburg Music Festival, as well as concert venues and an independent music scene that is excellent.

Faro is not a live music destination.

Is Faro or Salzburg Better for Resorts?

Faro is terrific for its resorts. However, Salzburg is not a resort destination.

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

Salzburg is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Salzburg Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Salzburg is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Faro has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. 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.

Salzburg is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Salzburg Better for Beaches?

Faro is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Salzburg is not a beach destination.

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.

Salzburg is not a beach destination.

Is Faro or Salzburg Better for its Old Town?

Salzburg 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 Salzburg can be explored in its historical center. This beautiful old town is filled with cafes, restaurants, and churches. You can enjoy local music performed by street performers as you soak in the atmosphere and the regular chime of the church bells really gives the city personality. There are also frequent markets and shops to explore.

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 Salzburg?

Salzburg is a must-visit destination for shopping. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Salzburg. The city's historic heart is filled with boutique shops, chocolate markets, and charming local vendors. It's fun to peruse the many shops that line the streets while you shop for local souvenirs.

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 Salzburg Better for Families?

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

Salzburg is a very family-friendly destination. Kids who know the Sound of Music will enjoy visiting the setting of a number of scenes from the movie. There are even popular Sound of Music tours that take you to the gardens where they sang "Do Re Mi" and out of town to the church where Maria married the Captain. The city also offers Marionette Puppet shows, cooking classes, castles and more around town that everyone can enjoy.

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 Salzburg Better for Couples?

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

Salzburg has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The town offers a romantic setting with elaborate breakfasts, beautiful architecture, live shows, and plenty that couples can enjoy. You can simply wander around old town or explore the many gardens around town. Couples will also enjoy the concerts and music that the city is so famous for.

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 Salzburg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Salzburg is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for backpackers.

Salzburg is very popular with the backpacker crowd. This is a popular city to visit, so there are plenty of amenities for backpackers. If you want to save a little money, you can stay and eat outside of old town where the prices are a little less.

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 Salzburg Better for Students?

Salzburg is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Faro is not popular with students.

Salzburg is a great destination for students. International students appreciate the high quality of life, excellent educational opportunities and unique European setting that makes this city special. There are also a number of beautiful places just outside of town that you can explore, as well as many travel connections to other popular cities in Europe.

Faro is not popular with students.

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

Salzburg 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 Salzburg is fairly effecient and thorough. Trolleys and buses make it easy to get around town.

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 Salzburg a more walkable city?

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

Salzburg is very walkable. The old town is very walkable, but if you stay outside of the main tourist areas, you'll likely want to take a bus.

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 Salzburg Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Salzburg or Faro?

How long in Faro or Salzburg?

In either Faro or Salzburg, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Salzburg has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Salzburg than Faro. In general, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Faro, and 3-5 days is enough time in Salzburg.

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

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

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

One day in Faro or Salzburg?

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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Salzburg. 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 Salzburg?

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.

Salzburg is a fun place to experience. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Faro or Salzburg?

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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the musical destination of Salzburg. This 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 Salzburg?

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.

The historic city of Salzburg offers shopping and museums. 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, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria.

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

Which is Bigger, Faro or Salzburg?

Salzburg has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Faro and Salzburg, 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 Salzburg?

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 Salzburg in the Summer?

Both Salzburg and Faro during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Faro because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year.

In July, Faro is generally a little warmer than Salzburg. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 25°C (78°F), and Salzburg fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Salzburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Faro. In the summer, Faro often gets more sunshine than Salzburg. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 227 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in July than Salzburg. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Salzburg in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Salzburg. The shopping scene are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Salzburg for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Faro is much warmer than Salzburg in the autumn. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Salzburg fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Salzburg during autumn. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 108 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Faro usually receives more rain than Salzburg. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Faro or Salzburg in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Faro as well as Salzburg. Many travelers come to Faro for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Salzburg in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Salzburg can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Faro is much warmer than Salzburg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Faro in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Salzburg averages at about -0°C (31°F).

In the winter, Faro often gets more sunshine than Salzburg. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 44 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets more rain in January than Salzburg. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Salzburg in the Spring?

Both Salzburg and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Faro in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Salzburg for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Faro is generally much warmer than Salzburg. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 17°C (62°F), and Salzburg fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Salzburg during spring. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Faro usually receives less rain than Salzburg. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Salzburg and Faro