A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Faro vs. Split for Nightlife, Resorts, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Faro or Split?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Faro or Split, 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. Visitors also love the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. See Faro travel costs.

Split

Split is a budget-friendly, historic, and active city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums. See Split travel costs.

Faro and Split: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Split?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Split. Although Faro and Split are popular destinations, Split has more sights and attractions for tourists. Split is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Faro attracts visitors for its resorts. Split is more touristy than Faro and is known for its historical sights, high energy coastal setting, and waterfront promenades. It is also well known for Diocletian's Palace. Faro is famous for its historical sights and rich culture.

How is Faro different from Split?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Split 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 Split can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with historical sights, some of which were used in the shooting of the famed television series, Game of Thrones. Highlights include Diocletian's Palace, the Cathedral of St. Domnius, and the Ivan Mestrovic Gallery.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Split 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 Split. It's the second largest city in Croatia and the food scene reflects this. You'll find a mix of Dalmatian restaurants and international options. There's also everything from fine dining to local taverns, so whatever your budget or food preference, you won't be disappointed.

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 Split Better for Nightlife?

Split is a must-visit destination for nightlife. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for nightlife and partying.

Split is a world class party destination. It has some of the best nightlife on mainland Croatia. Backpackers and students flock to this city for its parties and nightclubs. There's a great live music scene as well as DJs who keep the party going well into the early morning.

Faro has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city's bustling party scene thrives along Rua de São Pedro, Rua Conselheiro Bívar, and Rua do Prior.

Is Faro or Split Better for Resorts?

Faro is terrific for its luxury resorts. Also, Split is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its resorts.

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

Split is known as a popular and fun resort destination. You'll find a mix of popular resort chains, local boutique hotels, vacation rentals, and hostels. Whatever your budget or travel style there are options available.

Is Faro or Split Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Split is great for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its diving and snorkeling.

Many visitors go to Split to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. Some of the best snorkeling is found around the Kornati Islands. There are many boat trips that take visitors to some of the best snorkeling spots near Split.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life 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.

Is Faro or Split Better for Beaches?

Split is great for its beaches. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for the beach.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Split. There are many beaches in the area that are a mix of pebbly or sandy. Many have restaurants or bars nearby and the vibe is social and laid back. Some of the best beaches near town are Bacvice Beach, Žnjan Beach, and Kasjuni Beach.

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 Split Better for its Old Town?

Faro and Split both have nice historical old towns that attract visitors.

Faro is a good destination for visiting its 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.

Many people head to Split to see the old town. The old town spreads out from Diocletian's Palace and People's Square. It's filled with cobblestone streets and restaurants that spill into the outdoors.

Is the Shopping Better in Faro or Split?

Split 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 Split. Shopping and sightseeing are intermixed in town. Make sure you don't miss the Old Market, which is the city's main outdoor market. There are many shops all through the old town as well.

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 Split Better for Families?

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

Split is a very family-friendly destination. With its parks, beaches, and outdoor activities, kids will love this spot. Zvonac Park is one of the best in town for kids. Young kids will appreciate the Dinasour Playground. Also make sure you allow time to explore Diocletian's Palace and Klis Fortress. There are also beaches and other water activities that are fun for the whole family.

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 Split Better for Couples?

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

Split has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's not uncommon for couples to choose Split as their honeymoon destination. The old town is filled with character and charm. There are also parks where you can enjoy a picnic and beaches where you can soak up the fun of the Adriatic Sea. Cafes serving local cuisine spill into the streets and the old world charm offers a romantic ambiance that can only be found in Croatia.

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 Split Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Split is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Split. There's no shortage of hostels in town. This is a not-to-be-missed backpacker destination in Croatia and the social scene, beaches, water activities, and history all make Split a highlight for many backpackers.

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 Split Better for Students?

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

Split is a great city to visit as a student. It's easy to visit on a student's budget. There are plenty of hostels and a huge party scene that bring backpackers and students together.

Faro is not popular with students.

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

Faro and Split 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.

Split has a few public transit options. There are bus services that will help you get around town.

Is Faro or Split a more walkable city?

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

Split is very walkable. The city is laid out in a pedestrian-friendly way so it's easy to explore on foot, particularly in the old town. It's also easy to get lost, but that's all part of the fun.

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 Split Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Split or Faro?

How long in Faro or Split?

It's fun to spend time in either Faro or Split. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Faro due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Faro, and 2-4 days is enough time in Split.

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

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

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

One day in Faro or Split?

In Faro, many people enjoy the nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling that this active destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This resort town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Split. 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 Split?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Faro. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Split is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the nightlife. 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 Split?

Faro is a fun place to experience. In Faro, many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the touristy destination of Split. 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 Split?

You'll find nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling around the active destination of Faro. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The touristy city of Split offers shopping and museums. 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 Walking Tours in Croatia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Croatia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Faro or Split?

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

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 Split in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Split. Many travelers come to Faro for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Split in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Faro is around the same temperature as Split. Typically, the summer temperatures in Faro in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Split averages at about 26°C (80°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Split this time of the year. In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Split during summer. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies, while Split receives 345 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Faro usually receives less rain than Split. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Split receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Faro or Split in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Faro as well as Split. Many visitors come to Faro in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Split for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Faro is generally a little warmer than Split. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 20°C (68°F), and Split fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Split. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Faro this time of the year. In the autumn, Faro often gets more sunshine than Split. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Split receives 200 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in October than Split. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Split receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Split in the Winter?

Both Split and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Faro for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Split because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

Faro usually receives more sunshine than Split during winter. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Split receives 128 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Faro usually receives around the same amount of rain as Split. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Split receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Faro or Split in the Spring?

Both Split and Faro during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Faro because of the beaches. Furthermore, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Split this time of year.

In the spring, Faro is a little warmer than Split. Typically, the spring temperatures in Faro in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Split averages at about 15°C (59°F).

In Split, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Faro. In the spring, Faro often gets more sunshine than Split. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Split receives 212 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in April than Split. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Split receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Split and Faro