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

Should you visit Faro or Taormina?

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

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

Taormina

Taormina is a beautiful, exclusive, and opulent town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Faro and Taormina: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Taormina?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Faro than Taormina, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Faro is better known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and historical sights, while Taormina is more popular for its museums, food, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Faro is well known for its historical sights and rich culture. Also, Faro is famous for The Arco da Vila. Taormina is well known for its long history as a seaside resort town with luxury accommodation and beautiful views.

How is Faro different from Taormina?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Taormina is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The main landmark in town is the Greek Theater which dates back to the 3rd century BC. Also visit Madonna della Rocca as well as Castello di Taormina, which is perched above the sea.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Taormina 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 Taormina. The local dishes draw on traditional Italian flavors such as pasta, tomato sauce, and vegetables, but they're also heavily influenced by the island's many historical invaders. You'll find a variety of ingredients in recipes including red chilies, tuna, swordfish, sardines, pine nuts, capers, and olives.

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 Taormina Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is high quality in both Faro and Taormina.

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.

Taormina has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The town has a bit of an exclusive vibe and that's felt in the nightlife scene as well. There are lounges and exclusive clubs that serve fine wine and cocktails. You'll also find some late night dance clubs around town.

Is Faro or Taormina Better for Resorts?

Faro is very popular for its luxury resorts. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its resorts.

Faro is a world class resort vacation destination. Popular resorts include Vila Vita Parc Resort and Spa, Conrad Algarve, and Tivoli Carvoeiro.

There are plenty of resorts in Taormina to choose from. There are a number of high end resorts and hotels in and near town that have pools and five star facilities.

Is Faro or Taormina Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a resort town with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Taormina is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

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.

Taormina is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Taormina Better for Beaches?

Both Faro and Taormina have notable beaches worth visiting.

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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Taormina. The easiest beaches to access from town are Mazzaro Beach and Isola Bella Beach. The beaches are near hotels and there are restaurants as well as beach umbrellas and chairs that you can rent.

Is Faro or Taormina Better for its Old Town?

Faro is a resort town with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Taormina 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.

Taormina does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Faro or Taormina?

If you're looking to go shopping, Faro and Taormina both offer plenty of notable spots.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in 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.

Taormina offers some nice shopping areas. It's a fashion-conscious town and you'll find boutiques and shops that carry high end Italian brands. There are also shops that sell local pottery and other items.

Is Faro or Taormina Better for Families?

Neither Faro nor Taormina are considered to be the most family-friendly destination.

For families, Faro is not always the best place to visit. There are some nice nature reserves in the area so kids who love wildlife will enjoy a visit.

Taormina is not the most family-friendly destination. Kids may not appreciate everything that the adults enjoy about this town, but they will likely have fun taking a ride on the cable car and visiting the Greek Theater. There are also wonderful desserts that kids will enjoy.

Is Faro or Taormina Better for Couples?

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

Taormina is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. It's a truly beautiful town with impressive views and a great atmosphere. It makes a wonderful stop off for couples or honeymooners who want to soak up the region's beauty.

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 Taormina Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Faro is a resort town with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Taormina is not known for 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.

Taormina is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. There aren't many hostels around town and you won't find a large backpacker crowd here. The town has the feel of an exclusive resort community with high end resorts more common than anything else.

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

Faro and Taormina both offer notable 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.

Taormina has a few public transit options. There are minibuses that travel to the more far-reaching parts of the town.

Is Faro or Taormina a more walkable city?

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

Taormina is very walkable. Walking is one of the best ways to explore the town.

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 Taormina Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Taormina or Faro?

How long in Faro or Taormina?

It's fun to spend time in either Faro or Taormina. 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 Taormina.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Faro than Taormina 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 Taormina?

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.

Taormina is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Taormina?

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.

Taormina is a fun place to experience. 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 Taormina?

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.

Taormina is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This town offers something for everyone. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Faro or Taormina?

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.

Because Taormina is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Faro or Taormina?

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

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 Taormina in the Summer?

Both Taormina and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Taormina for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Faro is generally around the same temperature as Taormina. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 25°C (78°F), and Taormina fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in Taormina. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Taormina during summer. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies, while Taormina receives 332 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Faro usually receives less rain than Taormina. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Faro or Taormina in the Autumn?

Both Taormina and Faro during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Faro for the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Taormina in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Faro is around the same temperature as Taormina in the autumn. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Taormina fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

It's quite sunny in Faro. In the autumn, Faro often gets more sunshine than Taormina. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Taormina receives 189 hours of full sun.

Taormina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Faro usually gets less rain in October than Taormina. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Taormina in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Taormina. Many visitors come to Faro in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Taormina for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Faro is around the same temperature as Taormina. Typically, the winter temperatures in Faro in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Taormina averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Faro usually receives more sunshine than Taormina during winter. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Taormina receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Faro usually receives more rain than Taormina. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Faro or Taormina in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Faro as well as Taormina. Most visitors come to Faro for the beaches during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Taormina because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Faro is generally around the same temperature as Taormina. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 17°C (62°F), and Taormina fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Taormina. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Faro this time of the year. In the spring, Faro often gets more sunshine than Taormina. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Taormina receives 207 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Taormina. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Taormina and Faro