A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Faro vs. Stratford-upon-Avon for Food, Old Town, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Faro or Stratford-upon-Avon?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Faro or Stratford-upon-Avon, 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.

Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon is a idyllic, peaceful, and park-filled town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Other reasons to visit include food and theater.

Faro and Stratford-upon-Avon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Stratford-upon-Avon?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Faro. Although Faro and Stratford-upon-Avon are popular destinations, Faro has more sights and attractions for tourists. Faro is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Stratford-upon-Avon attracts visitors for its museums, theatre productions, food, and small town charm. Faro is more touristy than Stratford-upon-Avon and is known for its historical sights and rich culture. It is also well known for The Arco da Vila. Stratford-upon-Avon is famous for its status as the birthplace of William Shakespeare.

How is Faro different from Stratford-upon-Avon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Stratford-upon-Avon 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 Stratford-upon-Avon?

Stratford-upon-Avon is adequate for its historical sights. However, Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to Stratford-upon-Avon specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Many visitors make a point of seeing Shakespeare's Birthplace, Hall's Croft, and Anne Hathaway's Cottage.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Faro or Stratford-upon-Avon Better for Theater?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a must-visit destination for theatre. However, Faro is not a theatre destination.

Famous for its theaters and plays, you'll find world-renowned shows in Stratford-upon-Avon. Shakespeare enthusiasts must check out a Shakespeare play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. There are often tickets available the day of for a reduced price.

Faro is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Faro or Stratford-upon-Avon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Stratford-upon-Avon 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 Stratford-upon-Avon. The town center has a few nice restaurants including seafood, Italian food, Indian food, and cafes where you can enjoy high tea.

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 Stratford-upon-Avon Better for Nightlife?

Faro is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Faro has a large number of nightlife venues. The city's bustling party scene thrives along Rua de São Pedro, Rua Conselheiro Bívar, and Rua do Prior.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Faro or Stratford-upon-Avon Better for Resorts?

Faro is an unbeatable place for its luxury resorts. However, Stratford-upon-Avon 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.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Stratford-upon-Avon Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is very good for its diving and snorkeling. However, Stratford-upon-Avon 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.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Stratford-upon-Avon Better for Beaches?

Faro is very good for the beache. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is not a beach destination.

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.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not a beach destination.

Is Faro or Stratford-upon-Avon Better for its Old Town?

Faro and Stratford-upon-Avon 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 Stratford-upon-Avon to see the old town. The old town has a few highlights including Shakespeare's birthplace, and several museums.

Is the Shopping Better in Faro or Stratford-upon-Avon?

Faro is very good for its shopping opportunities. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Faro or Stratford-upon-Avon Better for Families?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a nice place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Faro is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Stratford-upon-Avon offers lots of family activities. This small town has a ferris wheel that offers beautiful views. There's also a the Stratford Butterfly Farm, which is a beautiful setting and if you stand still enough, you might even be lucky enough to have one land on your shoulder. You can also check out Tudor World, the MAD Museum, or one of the playgrounds around town.

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 Stratford-upon-Avon Better for Couples?

Faro and Stratford-upon-Avon are both nice 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.

Stratford-upon-Avon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The charming town offers a few nice restaurants where you can enjoy a meal. For a lovely date night, check out a Shakespeare play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. During the day, wander around the old town or stroll down the river and enjoy the beautiful outdoor setting. Many residents have converted properties into Bed and Breakfasts, so there are a number of cute and affordable places where couples can stay.

Is Faro or Stratford-upon-Avon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Faro is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Faro is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. The are some good hostels in the area, but it's a bit tricky to get around without a car.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. Most backpackers skip this town for the more lively cities. There are affordable places to stay, but no real hostels in town.

Is Faro or Stratford-upon-Avon Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Faro is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Faro has some public transit options. There are buses that connect the city to the beach, the airport, and other outlying areas.

Public transit is generally limited in Stratford-upon-Avon. The train station is a bit removed from the town center, but because the town is so small, it's still possible to reach it on foot from most places.

Is Faro or Stratford-upon-Avon a more walkable city?

Faro and Stratford-upon-Avon are nice when it comes to walkability.

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

Stratford-upon-Avon is a somewhat walkable place. It's easy to stroll around town on foot, but there aren't many pedestrian only areas. Head for the river for some of the nicest walking areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Faro Worth Visiting? and Is Stratford-upon-Avon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Stratford-upon-Avon or Faro?

How long in Faro or Stratford-upon-Avon?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Faro than Stratford-upon-Avon. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Faro than Stratford-upon-Avon 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 Faro.

One day in Faro or Stratford-upon-Avon?

In Faro, many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town where visitors enjoy the theater and food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Faro or Stratford-upon-Avon?

Many people visit Faro for a weekend. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. You can also relax and pamper yourself 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.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the theater. 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 Stratford-upon-Avon?

In Faro, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this destination offers. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Many people spend five days here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Faro, five days is sufficent for most.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. 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 Stratford-upon-Avon?

Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Faro. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This resort town offers something for everyone. 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.

Because Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. 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 Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Edinburgh.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Faro or Stratford-upon-Avon?

Faro has a larger population, and is about 83% larger than the population of Stratford-upon-Avon. When comparing the sizes of Faro and Stratford-upon-Avon, 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 Stratford-upon-Avon?

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 Stratford-upon-Avon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Stratford-upon-Avon. Most visitors come to Faro for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Stratford-upon-Avon because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Faro is a little warmer than Stratford-upon-Avon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Faro in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Stratford-upon-Avon averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Stratford-upon-Avon during summer. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies, while Stratford-upon-Avon receives 195 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Faro usually receives less rain than Stratford-upon-Avon. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Stratford-upon-Avon receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Faro or Stratford-upon-Avon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Faro as well as Stratford-upon-Avon. The autumn months attract visitors to Faro because of the shopping scene. Additionally, the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Stratford-upon-Avon this time of year.

In October, Faro is generally much warmer than Stratford-upon-Avon. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 20°C (68°F), and Stratford-upon-Avon fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Faro this time of the year. In the autumn, Faro often gets more sunshine than Stratford-upon-Avon. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Stratford-upon-Avon receives 107 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets more rain in October than Stratford-upon-Avon. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Stratford-upon-Avon receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Stratford-upon-Avon in the Winter?

Both Stratford-upon-Avon and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Stratford-upon-Avon for the museums, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Stratford-upon-Avon. Faro is much warmer than Stratford-upon-Avon in the winter. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Stratford-upon-Avon fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Faro usually receives more sunshine than Stratford-upon-Avon during winter. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Stratford-upon-Avon receives 52 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Faro usually receives more rain than Stratford-upon-Avon. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Stratford-upon-Avon receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Faro or Stratford-upon-Avon in the Spring?

Both Stratford-upon-Avon and Faro during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Faro for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to Stratford-upon-Avon in the spring for the small town charm.

In the spring, Faro is much warmer than Stratford-upon-Avon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Faro in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Stratford-upon-Avon averages at about 9°C (48°F).

It's quite sunny in Faro. In the spring, Faro often gets more sunshine than Stratford-upon-Avon. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Stratford-upon-Avon receives 147 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in April than Stratford-upon-Avon. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Stratford-upon-Avon receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Stratford-upon-Avon and Faro