A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Faro vs. Zadar for Resorts, Food, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Faro or Zadar?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Faro or Zadar, 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 nightlife, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Zadar

Zadar is a vibrant, laid back, and relaxed town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Faro and Zadar: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Zadar?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Zadar. Although Faro and Zadar are popular destinations, Zadar has more sights and attractions for tourists. Zadar is very popular for its museums, food, beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Faro attracts visitors for its nightlife and resorts. Faro is more touristy than Zadar and is popular for its historical sights and rich culture. Zadar is famous for its historical sights and waterfront setting. It is also well known for the Sea Organ and the Sun Salutation.

How is Faro different from Zadar?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Zadar is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The old town is like a living museum, with city walls and a historic gate. The Church of St. Donatus, Zadar Cathedral, and the Zadar Archaeological Museum are all fascinating places to visit in town, but if you're looking for the most unique sight, make sure you check out The Sea Organ and The Sun Salutation.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Zadar is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Faro is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Zadar. The town is filled with outdoor cafes that serve up a healthy and delicious selection of recipes. The ingredients are fresh and local with olive oil and seafood making frequent appearances on the menus. Prices are also reasonable.

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 Zadar Better for Nightlife?

Faro is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its evening party scene.

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 Zadar. The town comes to life at night when the bars and restaurants fill with people chatting and socializing. This is an easy place to enjoy the evening as almost all of the nightlife venues are within a five minute walk of each other.

Is Faro or Zadar Better for Resorts?

Faro is an amazing resort town to visit for its resorts. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its luxury resorts.

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

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Zadar. If you want a beachfront resort, there are a number of nice options outside of town.

Is Faro or Zadar Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

You'll find nice snorkeling or scuba diving in both Faro and Zadar.

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.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Zadar. This is an easy place to snorkel because the water is so clear. There are also half and full day snorkeling trips that take you to some of the best spots.

Is Faro or Zadar Better for Beaches?

Zadar 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 Zadar. There are some nice beaches outside of town with one of the most famous being Sakarun Beach, which is part of the Zadar archipelago. There are a handful of beaches nearby that are pebbly and popular with the locals. These include Puntamika Beach and Beach Borik.

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 Zadar Better for its Old Town?

Zadar is great for its historic old town. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its old town.

Many visitors go to Zadar to see the historical old town. The small old town is filled with charm and character. It's a walled medieval town that can easily be explored in a few hours.

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 the Shopping Better in Faro or Zadar?

If you're looking to go shopping, Faro and Zadar 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.

Zadar offers some nice shopping areas. There are small, boutique shops around the old town that sell designer merchandise. There are also shopping malls on the outskirts of town.

Is Faro or Zadar Better for Families?

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

Zadar offers lots of family activities. It's fun to explore the small medieval old town, but the kids will also appreciate getting out of town and enjoying the nearby activities. It's definitely worth visiting Pag Island or any of the other natural settings that are nearby. There are also several beaches near town. In town, make sure you hear the Sea Organ and dance at the Sun Salutation.

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 Zadar Better for Couples?

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

Zadar is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. This charming seaside town is fun to explore as a couple. There's a walled medieval town that is small and easy to wander around. There are also nearby beaches and great restaurants to explore. A highlight of a visit is watching the stunning sunsets by the water.

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 Zadar Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Zadar is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There's no shortage of hostels in town and you'll find backpackers, students, and budget travelers everywhere.

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 Zadar Better for Students?

Zadar is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Faro is not popular with students.

Zadar is a great town to visit as a student. The laid back lifestyle and low cost of living make this a great place to be a student. It's a relaxed environment with many nearby places to explore.

Faro is not popular with students.

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

Faro and Zadar 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.

Zadar has a few public transit options. There are 11 bus lines that travel around town.

Is Faro or Zadar a more walkable city?

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

Zadar is very walkable. The old town is particularly walkable and can easily be explored on foot in a few hours.

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 Zadar Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Zadar or Faro?

How long in Faro or Zadar?

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

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

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

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

One day in Faro or Zadar?

In Faro, many people enjoy the nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling that this active destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This resort town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Zadar. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Faro or Zadar?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Faro. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Zadar is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Zadar?

Faro is a fun place to experience. In Faro, many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the vibrant destination of Zadar. This town 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 Zadar?

You'll find nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling around the active destination of Faro. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The relaxed town of Zadar offers shopping and museums. 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 Tours for Seniors to Croatia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Croatia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Faro and Zadar, we can see that Faro is more expensive. And not only is Zadar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Zadar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zadar 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 Faro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Faro than you might in Zadar.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Faro Expensive? and Is Zadar Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Faro or Zadar?

Zadar has a larger population, and is about 72% larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Faro and Zadar, 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 Zadar?

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 Zadar in the Summer?

Both Zadar and Faro during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Faro in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Zadar for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Faro is around the same temperature as Zadar. Typically, the summer temperatures in Faro in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Zadar averages at about 26°C (80°F).

In Zadar, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Faro. In the summer, Faro often gets more sunshine than Zadar. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zadar receives 345 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in July than Zadar. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Zadar in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Zadar. Most visitors come to Faro for the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Zadar because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Faro is generally a little warmer than Zadar. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 20°C (68°F), and Zadar fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zadar this time of the year. In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Zadar during autumn. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Zadar receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Faro usually receives less rain than Zadar. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Faro or Zadar in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Faro as well as Zadar. The winter months attract visitors to Faro because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Zadar this time of year.

Faro is a little warmer than Zadar in the winter. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Zadar fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Faro often gets more sunshine than Zadar. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zadar receives 128 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Zadar. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Zadar in the Spring?

Both Zadar and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Zadar for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Faro is a little warmer than Zadar. Typically, the spring temperatures in Faro in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Zadar averages at about 15°C (59°F).

It's quite sunny in Zadar. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Zadar during spring. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Zadar receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Faro usually receives less rain than Zadar. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Zadar and Faro