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

Should you visit Faro or San Sebastian?

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

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

San Sebastian

San Sebastian is a outdoorsy, fun-filled, and beautiful city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Faro and San Sebastian: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or San Sebastian?

Travelers will usually find more to do in San Sebastian. Although Faro and San Sebastian are popular destinations, San Sebastian has more sights and attractions for tourists. San Sebastian is very popular for its museums, food, beaches, and shopping, while Faro attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and historical sights. Faro is famous for its historical sights and rich culture. San Sebastian is famous for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, its world class beaches, and its beautiful buildings. It is also well known for La Concha Bay.

How is Faro different from San Sebastian?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

San Sebastian is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Head to Castillo de la Mota for nice views and walks. Museo San Telmo offers an overview of Basque culture and Palacio de Miramar is another interesting place to visit.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

San Sebastian 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, San Sebastian is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. It is a famed culinary capital of not just Spain, but the entire world. The city has many Michelin-starred restaurants where you can experience modern or traditional recipes prepared by world class chefs. There are also pintxo bars, food markets, and gourmet food shops, that sell local ingredients and dishes. Much of the cuisine includes seafood, but you'll also find a local twist on traditional tapas. Dining is a true experience in this town.

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 San Sebastian Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is superb in both Faro and San Sebastian.

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.

San Sebastian has plenty to do after the sun goes down. You can expect a lively nightlife scene around town with many bars and places to hang out. Some of the best nightlife is found in and around Parte Vieja, Centro, Reyes Católicos and Gros.

Is Faro or San Sebastian Better for Resorts?

Faro is very popular for its resorts. Also, San Sebastian is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its luxury resorts.

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

San Sebastian has a few great resort options. It's both a city and a resort vacation destination with many beachside resorts that are popular during the summer months.

Is Faro or San Sebastian Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, San Sebastian 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.

San Sebastian is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or San Sebastian Better for Beaches?

San Sebastian is great for its beaches. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for the beache.

You'll have a great beach vacation in San Sebastian. The city has three urban beaches that are a huge attraction during the summer months. For surfing and a lively atmosphere, head to the Playa de la Zurriola. The playa de la Concha is the most photographed and famous beach in town and Ondarreta is another beautiful option.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Faro. 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.

Is Faro or San Sebastian Better for its Old Town?

Faro is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, San Sebastian does not have a historic old town.

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.

San Sebastian does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Faro or San Sebastian?

San Sebastian 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 San Sebastian. A mix of familiar brands and locally made items make shopping a fun activity. You'll also find many artisan food shops around town where you can take home some local wine or other culinary treats.

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 San Sebastian Better for Families?

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

San Sebastian is a very family-friendly destination. This city is surprisingly family-friendly. Not only is there the beach, but there are playgrounds everywhere. There's also the fun Monte Igueldo San Sebastian Amusement Park and the San Sebastian Aquarium. You could also take a boat ride or explore the many parks and gardens around town. And, of course, there are the many ice cream shops to check out.

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 San Sebastian Better for Couples?

San Sebastian is great for romance. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its romantic activities.

San Sebastian is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. With its nice beaches, stunning view points, and world class restaurants, this city makes an excellent couple's destination. There are Michelin star restaurants to dine in and many parks and gardens where you can take a stroll as well.

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 San Sebastian Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

San Sebastian is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a number of hostels around town, and you'll find enough other backpackers looking to meet up so you'll never be lonely.

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 San Sebastian Better for Students?

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

San Sebastian is a great city to visit as a student. There are good educational programs in town, as well as nice beaches and a good student population. The locals are also welcoming and friendly.

Faro is not popular with students.

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

Faro and San Sebastian both offer nice 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.

San Sebastian has a few public transit options. There's a comprehensive bus system around town that's operated by Dbus.

Is Faro or San Sebastian a more walkable city?

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

San Sebastian is very walkable. It's a great city for walking, with many pedestrian areas and places where you can take a stroll along the river or seaside.

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 San Sebastian Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Sebastian or Faro?

How long in Faro or San Sebastian?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Sebastian 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 San Sebastian.

One day in Faro or San Sebastian?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the popular destination of Faro. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of San Sebastian. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 San Sebastian?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Faro. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

San Sebastian is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 San Sebastian?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the popular destination of Faro. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This resort town offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the splendid destination of San Sebastian. This city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Faro or San Sebastian?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the resort town of Faro. 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. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

The outdoorsy city of San Sebastian offers nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Faro and San Sebastian, we can see that Faro is more expensive. And not only is San Sebastian much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Sebastian would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Sebastian 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 San Sebastian.

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

Which is Bigger, Faro or San Sebastian?

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

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 San Sebastian in the Summer?

Both San Sebastian 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. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Sebastian this time of year.

In the summer, Faro is a little warmer than San Sebastian. Typically, the summer temperatures in Faro in July average around 25°C (78°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 20°C (68°F).

In San Sebastian, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Faro. In the summer, Faro often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 209 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in July than San Sebastian. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or San Sebastian in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and San Sebastian. The shopping scene are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Also, many travelers come to San Sebastian for the shopping scene.

In October, Faro is generally a little warmer than San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 20°C (68°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during autumn. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 144 hours of full sun in the autumn.

San Sebastian receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Faro usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Faro or San Sebastian in the Winter?

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

Faro is a little warmer than San Sebastian in the winter. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Faro often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 85 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. Faro usually gets less rain in January than San Sebastian. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or San Sebastian in the Spring?

Both San Sebastian 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 San Sebastian for the beaches during these months.

In the spring, Faro is a little warmer than San Sebastian. Typically, the spring temperatures in Faro in April average around 17°C (62°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 12°C (54°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. Faro usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during spring. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 141 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in San Sebastian. In April, Faro usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for San Sebastian and Faro