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

Should you visit Faro or Zurich?

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

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

Zurich

Zurich is a liberal, beautiful, and historic city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and live music.

Faro and Zurich: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Zurich?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Zurich. Although Faro and Zurich are popular destinations, Zurich has more sights and attractions for tourists. Zurich is very popular for its museums, food, music, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Faro attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Faro is famous for its historical sights and rich culture. Zurich is famous for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices. It is also well known for The Grossmünster.

How is Faro different from Zurich?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Zurich 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 Zurich can be an interesting and educational experience. Make sure you check out the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fraumünster, as well as the Swiss National Museum.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Zurich 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 Zurich. Many restaurants have a strong German influence, but you'll also find traditional Swiss dishes such as cheese and chocolate fondue. There are also several Michelin star restaurants in 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 Zurich Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Zurich has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland. There are a high concentration of bars and clubs around town, or you could check out one of the badis, which are pools that also act as bars during the summer months. They're usually located by the lake.

Is Faro or Zurich Better for Music?

Zurich is great for live music. However, Faro is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Zurich draws a good crowd. There are many nightclubs that offer a variety of music types including electronic music, rock, and even reggae.

Faro is not a live music destination.

Is Faro or Zurich Better for Resorts?

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

Zurich is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Zurich Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

Zurich is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Zurich Better for Beaches?

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

Zurich is not a beach destination.

Is Faro or Zurich Better for its Old Town?

Zurich 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 Zurich can be explored in its historical center. The city has an old town that is split into two parts on each side of the Limmat River. The historic districts are filled with churches, squares, and charming areas that are fun to explore. Walking tours are the best way to explore the 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 the Shopping Better in Faro or Zurich?

Zurich is a must-visit destination for shopping. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Zurich. Visitors often buy chocolate, watches, and jewelry in this city. You'll find brand names and luxury items that are of high quality. Each neighborhood has its own character with stores ranging from traditional to international.

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 Zurich Better for Families?

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

Zurich is a very family-friendly destination. It's a surprisingly mellow city with a relaxing vibe that makes it easy to explore with kids. Popular family-friendly activities include swimming in the Limmat River, sailing on Lake Zurich, and visiting Josefwiese park, which has a large playground.

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 Zurich Better for Couples?

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

Zurich is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. One of the most romantic experiences you can have in town is visiting the Zurich Thermal Baths and Spa. There's an outdoor rooftop thermal pool as well as many ways that you can pamper yourselves.

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 Zurich Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Faro and Zurich 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.

Zurich is a good resort town to visit for backpackers. The city has a number of hostels to choose from, but, like most of Switzerland, the city is expensive in general.

Is Faro or Zurich Better for Students?

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

Zurich is a great destination for students. The city offers a number of unique experiences for international students. The academics are good and the university campuses are nice.

Faro is not popular with students.

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

Zurich 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 Zurich is fairly effecient and thorough. The system is made up of streetcars and buses.

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 Zurich a more walkable city?

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

Zurich is very walkable. There are paths that lead along the rivers and the lake connecting the old town areas to other parts of the city.

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 Zurich Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Zurich or Faro?

How long in Faro or Zurich?

In either Faro or Zurich, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Zurich has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Zurich than Faro. However, 2-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Faro or Zurich?

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 nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Zurich. 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 Zurich?

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.

Zurich is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the shopping. 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 Zurich?

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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historic destination of Zurich. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Faro or Zurich?

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 historic city of Zurich 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 Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland.

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

Which is Bigger, Faro or Zurich?

Zurich has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Faro and Zurich, 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 Zurich?

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 Zurich in the Summer?

Both Zurich and Faro during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Faro for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Zurich in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Faro is a little warmer than Zurich. Typically, the summer temperatures in Faro in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Zurich averages at about 21°C (70°F).

In Zurich, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Faro. In the summer, Faro often gets more sunshine than Zurich. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 241 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in July than Zurich. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Zurich in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Zurich. Many visitors come to Faro in the autumn for the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Zurich for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Faro is generally much warmer than Zurich. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 20°C (68°F), and Zurich fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Zurich during autumn. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

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

Should I visit Faro or Zurich in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Faro as well as Zurich. Most visitors come to Faro for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Zurich because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Zurich can be very cold. Faro is much warmer than Zurich in the winter. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Zurich fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Faro often gets more sunshine than Zurich. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 55 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Zurich. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Zurich in the Spring?

Both Zurich and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Faro because of the beaches. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Zurich this time of year.

In the spring, Faro is a little warmer than Zurich. Typically, the spring temperatures in Faro in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Zurich averages at about 12°C (53°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Zurich during spring. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Faro usually receives less rain than Zurich. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Zurich and Faro