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

Should you visit Faro or Valencia?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Faro or Valencia, 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. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Valencia

Valencia is a friendly, coastal, and cultural coastal city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Faro and Valencia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Valencia?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Valencia. Although Faro and Valencia are popular destinations, Valencia has more sights and attractions for tourists. Valencia is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Faro attracts visitors for its resorts and scuba diving & snorkeling. Faro is famous for its historical sights and rich culture. Valencia is famous for its rich cultural, world class museums, beautiful old town, and local cuisine (which includes paella). It is also well known for La Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències.

How is Faro different from Valencia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Valencia 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 Valencia can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is famous for its architecture and culture. Most of the main attractions are concentrated in Ciutat Vella and can be easily accessed on foot. Notable landmarks include La Lonja de Seda, Catedral de València, and Plaza de la Virgen. There are also several world class museums including Oceanogràfic de València and La Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències de València.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Valencia is a must-visit destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Faro is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Valencia is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city is famous as the birthplace of paella, which is one of Spain's most famous dishes. Beyond the paella, there are a number of other amazing traditional dishes. Fideuà is similar to paella but made with noodles instead of rice. All i pebre is an eel and potato dish and clóchinas are tiny local mussels. For dessert make sure you try the flan de calabaza, which is pumpkin flavored. Many restaurants also have tapas that can be shared. Restaurants in the old town are charming and delicious, but out by the beaches the quality isn't as good.

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 Valencia Better for Nightlife?

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

Valencia is a world class party destination. Dinner starts late, so you can expect the nightlife to pick up even later. During the summer there are all night terrace parties and year round you'll find nightclubs filled from evening to dawn. If all night raves aren't really your thing, you'll also find plenty of local bars where you can hang out with friends in a more relaxed setting. The nightlife scene really is varied enough that there's something for everyone.

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 Valencia Better for Resorts?

Faro is an amazing resort town to visit for its resorts. Also, Valencia is still popular, but not quite as popular for its luxury resorts.

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

Valencia has a few great resort options. You can choose between staying near the old town (Ciutat Vella) or out by the beach. One of the best beach areas is El Cabanyal. It's still close enough in to be well connected by public transit but offers a great coastal vibe as well.

Is Faro or Valencia Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Valencia is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Faro has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. 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.

Valencia is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Valencia Better for Beaches?

Both Faro and Valencia have nice 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 Valencia. There are several urban beaches in town that are accessible by public transit. Many offer surprisingly long stretches of sand with wide beaches and plenty of activity. The beaches can get crowded during the summer months, but they are generally large enough to accommodate the crowds. La Malvarrosa Beach is one of the most popular because of its proximity to the city. El Saler Beach is further out and popular with the locals and Port Saplaya is a colorful area with shopping and beaches.

Is Faro or Valencia Better for its Old Town?

Valencia is a must-visit destination for its historic old town. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its old town.

The rich history of Valencia can be explored in its historical center. For culture, history, and the majority of the city's attractions, you'll want to spend your time in Ciutat Vella (old town).

Many people head to Faro to see the 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.

Is Faro or Valencia Better for Hiking?

Valencia is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Faro is not a hiking destination.

Valencia has hiking trails worth exploring. Most people miss out on the beautiful hikes through the nearby countryside, but if you venture out of town you can enjoy some beautiful walking trails. Many run along the coastline or pass through rolling hills. There is varied landscape in the area with pine forests, orange groves, and vineyards all common.

Faro is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Faro or Valencia?

Valencia 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 Valencia. As the third largest city in Spain, you'll find most designer brands around town. The main shopping street is Calle Colon where you'll find the well-known European brands mixed in with the lesser-known Spanish brands. For a more local experience head to Mercado Central where you'll find local produce, colorful seafood, and a unique foodie vibe.

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 Valencia Better for Families?

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

Valencia is a very family-friendly destination. The city has some kid-friendly museums, an impressive zoo, and the largest aquarium in Europe (with its own dolphin show). Head to the Science Museum or simply wander around the museum complex. There are water activities and a beautiful futuristic style that attracts families and influencers with its photogenic atmosphere. There are also countless playgrounds of all sizes around town and a number of parks and outdoor spaces where kids can run around. There's a city park that runs through town and has playgrounds and bike trails. You can also spend a fun-filled day at the beach.

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 Valencia Better for Couples?

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

Valencia is a great coastal city if you're traveling as a couple. The city is filled with interesting culture, beautiful weather, and delightful cuisine. There are sandy beaches and luxury hotels that will make for an amazing romantic getaway. There are also many beautiful gardens and charming neighborhoods that you can explore. Couples can split a paella and sip sangrias in one of the many charming restaurants around town.

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 Valencia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Valencia is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for backpackers.

Valencia is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's often overlooked for more popular destinations, but this city has plenty to offer in the form of affordable accommodation and food as well as interesting sights.

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 Valencia Better for Students?

Valencia is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Faro is not popular with students.

Valencia is a great destination for students. The city is young and vibrant with a lot of culture and beautiful neighborhoods. It's also well connected to the rest of Spain with a convenient central train station.

Faro is not popular with students.

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

Faro and Valencia 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.

Valencia has a few public transit options. Public transit is available in the form of buses and a tram/metro system but the system isn't as comprehensive as it could be and much of the city is surprisingly dependent on cars.

Is Faro or Valencia a more walkable city?

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

Valencia is very walkable. Walking is the best way to explore many parts of the city and you can walk from one side of the Ciutat Vella to the other in about 20 minutes. This area is where you'll find most of the city's main attractions. There are other neighborhoods that are a bit less pedestrian-friendly.

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 Valencia Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Valencia or Faro?

How long in Faro or Valencia?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Faro and Valencia. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Faro than in Valencia. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Faro, and 2-3 days is enough time in Valencia.

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

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

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

One day in Faro or Valencia?

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.

Valencia is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Valencia?

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.

Valencia is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Valencia?

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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the coastal big city of Valencia. This coastal city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Faro or Valencia?

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.

The historic coastal city of Valencia offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 G Adventures Tours to Spain, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid.

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

Which is Bigger, Faro or Valencia?

Valencia has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Faro and Valencia, 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 Valencia?

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 Valencia in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Faro as well as Valencia. The summer months attract visitors to Faro because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Valencia this time of year.

In the summer, Faro is around the same temperature as Valencia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Faro in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Valencia averages at about 25°C (76°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valencia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Faro this time of the year. In the summer, Faro often gets more sunshine than Valencia. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valencia receives 303 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in July than Valencia. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Valencia receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Valencia in the Autumn?

Both Valencia and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Valencia for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Faro is generally around the same temperature as Valencia. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 20°C (68°F), and Valencia fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Valencia during autumn. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Valencia receives 198 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Faro usually receives less rain than Valencia. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Valencia receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Faro or Valencia in the Winter?

Both Valencia and Faro during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Faro for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Valencia in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Faro is around the same temperature as Valencia in the winter. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Valencia fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the winter, Faro often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Valencia. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valencia receives 162 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets more rain in January than Valencia. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Valencia receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Valencia in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Valencia. Many visitors come to Faro in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Valencia for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Faro is around the same temperature as Valencia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Faro in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Valencia averages at about 15°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Valencia this time of the year. In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Valencia during spring. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Valencia receives 213 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Faro usually receives around the same amount of rain as Valencia. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Valencia receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Valencia and Faro