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

Should you visit Faro or Zagreb?

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

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

Zagreb

Zagreb is a beautiful, authentic, and under-rated city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Faro and Zagreb: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Zagreb?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Zagreb. Although Faro and Zagreb are popular destinations, Zagreb has more sights and attractions for tourists. Zagreb is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Faro attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Faro is more touristy than Zagreb and is popular for its historical sights and rich culture. Zagreb is famous for its museums, parks, and convenient transportation options. It is also well known for The Zagreb Cathedral.

How is Faro different from Zagreb?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Zagreb 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 Zagreb can be an interesting and educational experience. There are many historical sights around town, particularly in the historic Upper Town. Make sure you visit the Zagreb Cathedral, the Museum of Broken Relationships, Lotrscak Tower, and the historic Stone Gate.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Zagreb 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 Zagreb. The food is heartier than you might expect with many recipes that involve stew or dumplings. Cheese and meat are common ingredients as well, with far less seafood than you'll find in the coastal cities. Popular dishes include Zagrebački odrezak (a rolled up ham, cheese, and veal sandwich), Štrukli (dough filled with cheese), and Ajngemahtec (vegetarian stew).

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 Zagreb Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is great in both Faro and Zagreb.

Many people head to Faro for the nightlife scene. The city's bustling party scene thrives along Rua de São Pedro, Rua Conselheiro Bívar, and Rua do Prior.

Zagreb has plenty to do after the sun goes down. There are a huge number of live music venues, clubs, and bars around town where locals hang out late into the evening. The city's nightlife has a more local vibe than other Croatian cities, so you can party with the students and residents and get a true feel for the Croatian culture.

Is Faro or Zagreb Better for Resorts?

Faro is a must-visit destination for its resorts. However, Zagreb 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.

Zagreb is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Zagreb Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a good destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Zagreb 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.

Zagreb is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Zagreb Better for Beaches?

Faro is a good destination for the beache. However, Zagreb 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.

Zagreb is not a beach destination.

Is Faro or Zagreb Better for its Old Town?

Zagreb 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 Zagreb to see the historical old town. The upper town is filled with charm, cafes, and historical landmarks such as St. Mark Church, Kamenita Vrata (the Stone Gate), and the cathedral.

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 Zagreb?

Zagreb 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 Zagreb. The city has a huge number of shopping centers where you'll find retail shops selling international brands, clothing, jewelry, sporting goods, and more.

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 Zagreb Better for Families?

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

Zagreb offers lots of family activities. The city is filled with parks where kids can run around. There are also kid-friendly museums like the Museum of Illusions and markets that are fun for the whole family. While it doesn't have the coastal activities that many Croatian towns offer, this is a unique city in its own way.

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 Zagreb Better for Couples?

Faro and Zagreb are both nice 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.

Zagreb makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Filled with history and beautiful parks, this often overlooked Croatian city actually has a lot that couples can enjoy. The historical monuments offer a glimpse into the country's past and the markets let you experience a more authentic side to what has become a very touristy country.

Is Faro or Zagreb Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Zagreb is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Because it's not the most touristy city, prices are reasonable. There are also a wide range of hostels in town where you can meet other backpackers and enjoy the fun environment.

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 Zagreb Better for Students?

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

Zagreb is a great city to visit as a student. There's an endless supply of bars and cafes where students hang out. This is a great student city that offers access to many beautiful parts of Croatia and Europe in general.

Faro is not popular with students.

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

Zagreb is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its public transit.

Public transit in Zagreb is fairly effecient and thorough. The system includes trams, buses, and a funicular.

Faro has a few public transit options. There are buses that connect the city to the beach, the airport, and other outlying areas.

Is Faro or Zagreb a more walkable city?

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

Zagreb is very walkable. It's a city that lives outdoors. It's very walkable with many outdoor cafes and parks where you can take a stroll.

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 Zagreb Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Zagreb or Faro?

How long in Faro or Zagreb?

It's fun to spend time in either Faro or Zagreb. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Faro due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Faro, and 2-4 days is enough time in Zagreb.

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

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

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

One day in Faro or Zagreb?

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 Zagreb. 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 Zagreb?

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.

Zagreb 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 Zagreb?

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 authentic destination of Zagreb. This 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 Zagreb?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the busy 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 local city of Zagreb 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 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Split.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Faro and Zagreb, we can see that Faro is more expensive. And not only is Zagreb much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Zagreb would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zagreb 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 Zagreb.

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

Which is Bigger, Faro or Zagreb?

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

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 Zagreb in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Faro as well as Zagreb. Many travelers come to Faro for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Zagreb in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Faro is a little warmer than Zagreb. Typically, the summer temperatures in Faro in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Zagreb averages at about 22°C (72°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zagreb. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Faro this time of the year. In the summer, Faro often gets more sunshine than Zagreb. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 266 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in July than Zagreb. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Zagreb in the Autumn?

Both Zagreb and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Faro in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Zagreb for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Faro is generally much warmer than Zagreb. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 20°C (68°F), and Zagreb fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Zagreb during autumn. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Faro usually receives around the same amount of rain as Zagreb. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Faro or Zagreb in the Winter?

Both Zagreb and Faro during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Faro for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Zagreb because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Zagreb can be very cold. Faro is much warmer than Zagreb in the winter. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Zagreb fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).

In the winter, Faro often gets more sunshine than Zagreb. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 54 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets more rain in January than Zagreb. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Zagreb in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Zagreb. The spring months attract visitors to Faro because of the beaches. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Zagreb this time of year.

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

In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Zagreb during spring. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Faro usually receives less rain than Zagreb. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Zagreb and Faro