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

Should you visit Faro or Varenna?

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

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

Varenna

Varenna is a beautiful, scenic, and pristine village. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include museums, food, and hiking.

Faro and Varenna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Varenna?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Faro. Although Faro and Varenna are popular destinations, Faro has more sights and attractions for tourists. Faro is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and historical sights, while Varenna attracts visitors for its museums, food, hiking, and impressive beauty. Faro is famous for its historical sights and rich culture. It is also well known for The Arco da Vila. Varenna is famous for its beautiful location by Lake Como.

How is Faro different from Varenna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Varenna is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Most people visit the town for its beautiful setting on Lake Como. There are some popular sights around town though such as the Church of San Giorgio and Castello di Vezio.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Varenna 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, Varenna is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Despite the touristy nature of the town, the restaurants are surprisingly good and you'll find some excellent Italian food around town.

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 Varenna Better for Nightlife?

Faro is an excellent place to visit for nightlife and partying. However, Varenna is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

Faro has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city's bustling party scene thrives along Rua de São Pedro, Rua Conselheiro Bívar, and Rua do Prior.

Varenna is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. The best way to enjoy the evening is to head to a restaurant and spend the time sipping wine in a laid back setting.

Is Faro or Varenna Better for Resorts?

Faro is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Varenna is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Faro for its luxury resorts. Popular resorts include Vila Vita Parc Resort and Spa, Conrad Algarve, and Tivoli Carvoeiro.

Varenna is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Varenna Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a good destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Varenna is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery 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.

Varenna is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Varenna Better for Beaches?

Faro is a good destination for the beache. However, Varenna is not a beach destination.

Faro offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Varenna is not a beach destination.

Is Faro or Varenna Better for its Old Town?

Faro is a good destination for its old town. However, Varenna does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Faro. 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.

Varenna does not have a historic old town.

Is Faro or Varenna Better for Hiking?

Varenna is great for hiking. However, Faro is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Varenna for the hiking trails. There are lakefront trails and other hiking options near town. The Lungolago di Varenna - Baia di Varenna loop follows the water and makes for a pleasant stroll.

Faro is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Faro or Varenna?

If you're looking to go shopping, Faro and Varenna both offer plenty of nice 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.

Varenna offers some nice shopping areas. The streets are lined with artisan shops and boutique venders that are fun to explore.

Is Faro or Varenna Better for Families?

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

Varenna offers lots of family activities. The charming village has play areas for children and the beautiful Villa Monastero, which are gardens that they'll enjoy exploring. It's also worth visiting the Castle of Vezio.

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 Varenna Better for Couples?

Varenna is a must-visit destination for romance. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its romantic activities.

Varenna has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This beautiful village has a romantic atmosphere with a "lovers promenade" and many stunning views. It makes the perfect couples trip, whether you're on your honeymoon or just need some time away.

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 Varenna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Faro and Varenna are nice 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.

Varenna is a good resort town to visit for backpackers. There are some hostels and guesthouses that cater to budget travelers. There's also plenty of outdoor activities that are free.

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

Faro and Varenna 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.

Varenna has a few public transit options. The town is easily accessible by public transit and once you're in town you can walk everywhere.

Is Faro or Varenna a more walkable city?

Varenna is a must-visit destination for its walkability. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its high level of walkability.

Varenna is a very easy village to get around on foot. Everything is walkable and the town is best explored on foot.

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 Varenna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Varenna or Faro?

How long in Faro or Varenna?

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

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

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

One day in Faro or Varenna?

In Faro, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This resort town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Varenna. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Faro or Varenna?

In Faro, you'll find nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Faro has to offer.

Varenna is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Varenna?

Faro is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Faro has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find shopping and museums around the pristine destination of Varenna. This village offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Faro or Varenna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Faro. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Faro. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

The pristine village of Varenna offers museums and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Faro and Varenna, we can see that Varenna 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 Varenna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Varenna 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 Varenna Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Faro or Varenna?

Faro has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Varenna. When comparing the sizes of Faro and Varenna, 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 Varenna?

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 Varenna in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Varenna. Many travelers come to Faro for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Varenna in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Faro is around the same temperature as Varenna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Faro in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Varenna averages at about 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Varenna this time of the year. In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Varenna during summer. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies, while Varenna receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

Varenna receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Faro usually receives less rain than Varenna. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Faro or Varenna in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Faro as well as Varenna. Many visitors come to Faro in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Varenna for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Faro is generally a little warmer than Varenna. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 20°C (68°F), and Varenna fluctuates around 15°C (58°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 Varenna. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varenna receives 152 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Varenna. Faro usually gets less rain in October than Varenna. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Varenna in the Winter?

Both Varenna and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Faro for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Varenna because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Varenna can be very cold. Faro is much warmer than Varenna in the winter. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Varenna fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Faro usually receives more sunshine than Varenna during winter. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Varenna receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Faro usually receives around the same amount of rain as Varenna. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Faro or Varenna in the Spring?

Both Varenna and Faro during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Faro because of the beaches. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Varenna this time of year.

In the spring, Faro is a little warmer than Varenna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Faro in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Varenna averages at about 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Faro. In the spring, Faro often gets more sunshine than Varenna. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varenna receives 176 hours of full sun.

Varenna gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Faro usually gets less rain in April than Varenna. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Varenna and Faro