A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Faro vs. Tenerife for Nightlife, Resorts, Families, and Scuba Diving & Snorkeling

Should you visit Faro or Tenerife?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Faro or Tenerife, 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 popular, busy, and active resort town. Other reasons to visit include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Tenerife

Tenerife is a adventure-filled, beautiful, and volcanic island. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Faro and Tenerife: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Tenerife?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Tenerife. Although Faro and Tenerife are both popular with visitors, Tenerife has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Tenerife is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Faro is known for its resorts and historical sights. Tenerife is more touristy than Faro and is known for its volcanic landscapes, built-up resorts, and fun-filled beaches. It is also home to Mount Teide. Faro is popular for its historical sights and rich culture.

How is Faro different from Tenerife?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Tenerife is mediocre for its historical sights. However, Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Tenerife. The island is filled with national parks, beautiful landscapes, and stunning beaches, but if you're not into outdoor activities, then you won't find many museums or other historical sights to visit.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Tenerife 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 Tenerife. Many visitors stick to the major touristy areas, eating in their resorts or other nearby restaurants. If you want to try a bit of the island's authentic Canarian cuisine, you'll need to do a little research. Head into the local areas near the markets for the best chance of finding something a little more authentic. Local dishes often include fish and seafood as well as local meats, but you'll rarely find beef as there isn't a lot of land for cows to graze on the island.

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 Tenerife Better for Nightlife?

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

Tenerife is a world class party destination. The island has a variety of nightclubs that range in style and personality. There are all night wild beach parties as well as laid back beach clubs and hole-in-the-wall pubs. Many bars have happy hours where you can relax with a drink and many nightclubs host famous DJs that keep the party going into the early morning hours.

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 Tenerife Better for Resorts?

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

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

In Tenerife, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. You'll find everything from world-class resorts like the Ritz to more budget-friendly hotels and even some hostels around the island. You'll find most of the resorts on the south side of the island, which is also where you'll find the best weather.

Is Faro or Tenerife Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tenerife 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 Tenerife to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. A highlight of snorkeling in this area is the opportunity to swim with sea turtles. Some of the best snorkeling is in El Puertito, which is known for its many turtles and there is no shortage of organized snorkeling trips to the area. The island also has excellent scuba diving trips with a variety of shipwrecks and marine species.

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 Tenerife Better for Beaches?

Tenerife 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 Tenerife. The island has a large number of beaches that attract tourists, particularly during the peak winter months. The island's volcanic nature means that many of its natural beaches have black sand. The golden sand from the more developed beaches typically comes from the Sahara Desert. A favorite beach on the island is the 2 kilometer long Playa de las Teresitas.

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 Tenerife Better for its Old Town?

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

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.

Tenerife does not have a historic old town.

Is Faro or Tenerife Better for Hiking?

Tenerife is a must-visit destination for hiking. However, Faro is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Tenerife draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The island's volcanic landscapes mean that there are dramatic and breathtaking hikes throughout the island. Some of the best hikes are found in the Anaga Rural Park, Teide National Park, and the Teno Mountains.

Faro is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Faro or Tenerife?

Tenerife 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 Tenerife. The island's low tax rates make it a popular shopping destination for tourists. The are shopping streets, local markets, and luxury malls that you can explore.

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 Tenerife Better for Families?

Tenerife is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. However, Faro is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Tenerife is an amazing family-friendly island to visit. The island has many great waterparks for kids, with one of the best being Siam Park. Other family-friendly destinations include Aqualand, Loro Parque, Jungle Park, and Monkey Park. There are whale watching trips, outdoor adventures, and kid-friendly beaches as well.

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 Tenerife Better for Couples?

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

Tenerife is a great island if you're traveling as a couple. The natural beauty, great landscapes, and lively beaches make this a great island for a romantic getaway. There's hiking and outdoor adventures as well as swimming, boat rides, and even whale watching.

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 Tenerife Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Faro and Tenerife are good places to visit.

It's common for backpackers to visit Faro. The are some good hostels in the area, but it's a bit tricky to get around without a car.

Tenerife is a good resort town to visit for backpackers. The island is large enough that there are a decent number of hostels and budget-friendly places to stay for backpackers.

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

Faro and Tenerife both offer good 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.

Tenerife has a few public transit options. The island has a decent bus service that is operated by a company called "TITSA".

Is Faro or Tenerife a more walkable city?

Faro and Tenerife are good when it comes to walkability.

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

Tenerife is a somewhat walkable place. There are many walks on the island that make for a fun way to explore the setting.

For even more information, also check out Is Faro Worth Visiting? and Is Tenerife Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Tenerife or Faro?

How long in Faro or Tenerife?

Both Faro and Tenerife have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Tenerife than in Faro. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Faro, and 3-7 days is enough time in Tenerife.

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

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

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

One day in Faro or Tenerife?

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 food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Tenerife. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Tenerife?

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.

Tenerife is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Tenerife?

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 shopping and nightlife when visiting the scenic destination of Tenerife. This island offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Tenerife?

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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the scenic island of Tenerife. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain.

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

When is the best time to visit Faro or Tenerife?

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 Tenerife in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Tenerife. The summer months attract visitors to Faro because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tenerife this time of year.

Faro is around the same temperature as Tenerife in the summer. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Tenerife fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tenerife this time of the year. In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Tenerife during summer. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies, while Tenerife receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Faro usually receives less rain than Tenerife. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Tenerife receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Faro or Tenerife in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Faro as well as Tenerife. The shopping scene are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Tenerife for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Faro is around the same temperature as Tenerife. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Faro in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Tenerife averages at about 22°C (72°F).

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

Faro usually gets more rain in October than Tenerife. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Tenerife receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Tenerife in the Winter?

Both Tenerife and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Faro for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Tenerife in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In January, Faro is generally cooler than Tenerife. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 12°C (54°F), and Tenerife fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Faro usually receives less sunshine than Tenerife during winter. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Tenerife receives 191 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Faro usually receives more rain than Tenerife. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Tenerife receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Faro or Tenerife in the Spring?

Both Tenerife and Faro during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Faro in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Tenerife for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Faro is around the same temperature as Tenerife in the spring. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Tenerife fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In Tenerife, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Faro. In the spring, Faro often gets more sunshine than Tenerife. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tenerife receives 205 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets more rain in April than Tenerife. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Tenerife receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Tenerife and Faro