A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Faro vs. Toulon for Nightlife, Food, Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, and Beaches

Should you visit Faro or Toulon?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Faro or Toulon, 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. It's also known for nightlife, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Toulon

Toulon is a industrial, authentic, and off-the-beaten-path port city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Faro and Toulon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Toulon?

Both Toulon and Faro have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Faro is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and historical sights, while Toulon is known for its museums, food, shopping, and impressive beauty. Faro is more touristy than Toulon and is popular for its historical sights and rich culture. Toulon is popular for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers.

How is Faro different from Toulon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Toulon is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Many of the sights are found in the old town and harbor areas. Some of the most interesting attractions include the Opera House, the Allied Landings Museum, the Naval Museum, and Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Toulon 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 Toulon. There are a variety of cafes and restaurants that are found along the harbor or in the old town. Whether you want waterfront views or a charming street front cafe, there are great options available. Many restaurants offer local seafood but you'll also find pastries, traditional local food, a several Italian restaurants.

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 Toulon Better for Nightlife?

Faro is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Faro offers plenty to do in the evening. The city's bustling party scene thrives along Rua de São Pedro, Rua Conselheiro Bívar, and Rua do Prior.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Toulon. It's a relatively large city and traditionally a sailor's town, so the city has a long running tradition of partying into the night. While it doesn't have the party-hard reputation of some places, you likely won't be bored at night. Head to the harbor area or the beaches around Mourillon for the most lively bars and cafes.

Is Faro or Toulon Better for Resorts?

Faro is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Toulon 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.

Toulon is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Toulon Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is very good for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Toulon is not a good port city for its diving and snorkeling.

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.

It's possible to go snorkeling in Toulon. There are a few beaches in the area that are worth checking out with a mask and snorkel. You'll likely see some underwater life hanging out by the rocks in the quieter areas.

Is Faro or Toulon Better for Beaches?

Both Faro and Toulon have good 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 Toulon. The beaches are sandy and less crowded than some of the more popular areas. The most accessible beach is Mourillon Beach which has public facilities and restaurants. If you're willing to venture a little farther from the center of town you'll find Mitre Beach which has some snorkeling. Battere Basse Beach is a bit quieter and also has snorkeling. Anse de Méjean is a popular spot with the locals.

Is Faro or Toulon Better for its Old Town?

Faro is very good for its historic old town. However, Toulon is not a good port city for its old town.

Many visitors go to Faro to see the historical 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.

You can check out the historic old town in Toulon. The old town has plazas, terraced cafes, and plenty of outdoor shopping opportunities that visitors can enjoy.

Is the Shopping Better in Faro or Toulon?

Toulon 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 Toulon. If you're looking for traditional local shopping opportunities then this is your place. There are a number of traditional Provençal markets around town but the most famous is Cours Lafayette. You can shop with the locals looking for produce or flowers. There's also a weekend farmers market, Petit Cours, that is fun to 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 Toulon Better for Families?

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

Toulon offers lots of family activities. The city may be known as a hub for the French navy, but there are also activities that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There are several military themed museums, a few good beaches, and local shopping. There's also the enjoyable cable car ride that you can take to the top of Mont Faron as well as several nice seaside walks in the area.

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 Toulon Better for Couples?

Faro and Toulon are both good 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.

Toulon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will appreciate the walks along the coast or through the harbor. There are also nice restaurants, interesting art galleries, and a few good hotels around town that make for a nice couple's weekend.

Is Faro or Toulon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Faro and Toulon 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.

Toulon is a good resort town to visit for backpackers. It doesn't have the reputation of many nearby towns along the French Riviera, so you can still find some affordable hostels and cafes in the area. You also won't find the crowds so you can enjoy a touch of the authentic local culture.

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

Faro and Toulon 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.

Toulon has a few public transit options. There are buses as well as petits trains (little tourist trains) that you can take around town.

Is Faro or Toulon a more walkable city?

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

Toulon is very walkable. You can walk around the old town and harbor area where many of the sights are concentrated.

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 Toulon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Toulon or Faro?

How long in Faro or Toulon?

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

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

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

One day in Faro or Toulon?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Faro. 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 one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Toulon. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Faro or Toulon?

Faro is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Toulon is a fun place to experience. 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 Toulon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Faro. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the off-the-beaten-path destination of Toulon. This port city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Faro or Toulon?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the popular destination of Faro. This resort town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

The industrial port city of Toulon offers nightlife and food. 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 Luxury Tours to France, and The Best Budget Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Faro and Toulon, 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 Toulon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Faro or Toulon?

Toulon has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Faro and Toulon, 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 Toulon?

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 Toulon in the Summer?

Both Toulon and Faro during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Faro for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Toulon because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

Faro is around the same temperature as Toulon in the summer. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Toulon fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Toulon, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Faro. In the summer, Faro often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Toulon. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 366 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in July than Toulon. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Toulon in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Toulon. The autumn months attract visitors to Faro because of the shopping scene. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Toulon this time of year.

In the autumn, Faro is a little warmer than Toulon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Faro in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Toulon averages at about 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulon this time of the year. In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Toulon during autumn. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Faro usually receives less rain than Toulon. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Faro or Toulon in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Faro as well as Toulon. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Toulon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Faro is generally much warmer than Toulon. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 12°C (54°F), and Toulon fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Faro often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Toulon. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 150 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Toulon. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Toulon in the Spring?

Both Toulon and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Faro for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to Toulon in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Faro is a little warmer than Toulon in the spring. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Toulon fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Toulon. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. Faro usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Toulon during spring. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Faro usually receives less rain than Toulon. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Toulon and Faro