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

Should you visit Faro or Windsor?

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

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

Windsor

Windsor is a touristy, beautiful, and royal town. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and museums.

Faro and Windsor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Windsor?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Faro. Although Faro and Windsor are popular destinations, Faro has more sights and attractions for tourists. Faro is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Windsor attracts visitors for its museums, food, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Faro is famous for its historical sights and rich culture. It is also well known for The Arco da Vila. Windsor is famous for being home to the largest and oldest operating castle in the world.

How is Faro different from Windsor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Windsor 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 Windsor can be an interesting and educational experience. The main draw is the Windsor Castle, which many people explore in a few hours. Then you can pass some time wandering around the town.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Windsor 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 Windsor. There are cafes, pubs, and local restaurants that let you sample regional dishes. There are also chain restaurants and international options including Japanese and Thai food.

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 Windsor Better for Nightlife?

Faro is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Windsor is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Faro is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city's bustling party scene thrives along Rua de São Pedro, Rua Conselheiro Bívar, and Rua do Prior.

If you're looking for night time activities Windsor has a few options to choose from. There's a low key nightlife scene with local pubs and a theater. Dinner cruises are also a fun activity.

Is Faro or Windsor Better for Resorts?

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

For the ultimate resort vacation, Faro is a great choice. Popular resorts include Vila Vita Parc Resort and Spa, Conrad Algarve, and Tivoli Carvoeiro.

Windsor is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Windsor Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Windsor is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Faro has a few good snorkeling spots. 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.

Windsor is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Windsor Better for Beaches?

Faro is a popular place for the beache. However, Windsor is not a beach destination.

Faro is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Windsor is not a beach destination.

Is Faro or Windsor Better for its Old Town?

Faro and Windsor both have nice historical old towns that attract visitors.

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.

Many people head to Windsor to see the old town. The old town is opposite the castle and caters specifically to tourists with its restaurants, pubs, and a few shops.

Is the Shopping Better in Faro or Windsor?

Faro is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Windsor is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Windsor is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Faro or Windsor Better for Families?

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

Windsor offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy seeing a working castle when they visit Windsor Castle. While a visit to Windsor Castle is the obvious draw to the town, there are also river cruises, parks, and even the Royal Windsor Maze at the Goswells Park that the whole family will enjoy. There is also a Legoland in the area for those who have more time.

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 Windsor Better for Couples?

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

Windsor is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Exploring the Windsor Castle, taking a river cruise, and wandering the parks and gardens hand in hand make this a great place for a couples retreat.

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 Windsor Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Faro is a popular place for backpackers. However, Windsor is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Faro. The are some good hostels in the area, but it's a bit tricky to get around without a car.

Windsor is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Faro and Windsor 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.

Windsor has a few public transit options. There is a bus system around town.

Is Faro or Windsor a more walkable city?

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

Windsor is very walkable. The town is compact and relatively easy to walk around. There are also several walking routes in the area.

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 Windsor Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Windsor or Faro?

How long in Faro or Windsor?

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

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

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

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

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.

Windsor is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Faro or Windsor?

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.

Windsor 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 Windsor?

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.

Windsor is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Faro or Windsor?

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.

Because Windsor is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. 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 Historical Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom.

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

Which is Bigger, Faro or Windsor?

Faro has a larger population, and is about 46% larger than the population of Windsor. When comparing the sizes of Faro and Windsor, 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 Windsor?

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 Windsor in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Faro as well as Windsor. Many visitors come to Faro in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Windsor for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Faro is a little warmer than Windsor. Typically, the summer temperatures in Faro in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Windsor averages at about 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Faro this time of the year. In the summer, Faro often gets more sunshine than Windsor. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Windsor receives 195 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in July than Windsor. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Windsor receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Windsor in the Autumn?

Both Windsor and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Faro for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Windsor because of the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Faro is generally much warmer than Windsor. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 20°C (68°F), and Windsor fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Windsor during autumn. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Windsor receives 107 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Faro usually receives more rain than Windsor. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Windsor receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Faro or Windsor in the Winter?

Both Windsor and Faro during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Faro because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Windsor this time of year.

It's quite cold in Windsor in the winter. Faro is much warmer than Windsor in the winter. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Windsor fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Faro often gets more sunshine than Windsor. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Windsor receives 52 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets more rain in January than Windsor. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Windsor receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Windsor in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Windsor. The beaches are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Windsor for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Faro is much warmer than Windsor. Typically, the spring temperatures in Faro in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Windsor averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Windsor during spring. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Windsor receives 147 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Faro usually receives less rain than Windsor. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Windsor receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Windsor and Faro