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

Should you visit Helsinki or Faro?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Helsinki and Faro can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Helsinki

Helsinki is a active, nature-focused, and coastal city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Faro

Faro is a busy, active, and popular resort town. Visitors also love the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Helsinki and Faro: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Helsinki or Faro?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Faro. Although Helsinki and Faro 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 Helsinki attracts visitors for its museums, food, shopping, and impressive beauty. Faro is more touristy than Helsinki and is known for its historical sights and rich culture. It is also well known for The Arco da Vila. Helsinki is famous for its rich culture that includes traditional elements as well as an active subculture scene.

How is Helsinki different from Faro?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Faro and Helsinki. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Helsinki or Faro?

Helsinki 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 Helsinki can be an interesting and educational experience. Many of the city's sights and attractions center around nature and the water. Major hightlights of the city include the Fortress of Sveaborg, Seurasaari open-Air Museum, and Temppeliaukio Rock Church. The city is also home to The National Museum of Finland.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Helsinki 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 Helsinki. Food in town is all about local flavors and simple ingredients. The dishes let the flavor speak for itself without fancy cooking techniques or complex flavor combinations. Many of the restaurants are locally sourced with traditional ingredients. You'll find a lot of seafood, herring, grilled sausages, pancakes, and desserts.

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 Helsinki or Faro Better for Nightlife?

Faro is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Faro has a large number of nightlife venues. The city's bustling party scene thrives along Rua de São Pedro, Rua Conselheiro Bívar, and Rua do Prior.

Helsinki has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is at its best on weekends when the city center comes to life with parties, dance clubs, and student activities. Many of the best clubs and bars are concentrated in the city center. Weekends are a bit calmer and things quiet down a lot.

Is Helsinki or Faro Better for Resorts?

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

Faro is a world class resort vacation destination. Popular resorts include Vila Vita Parc Resort and Spa, Conrad Algarve, and Tivoli Carvoeiro.

Helsinki is not a resort destination.

Is Helsinki or Faro Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a resort town with good options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Helsinki is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life 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.

Helsinki is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Helsinki or Faro Better for Beaches?

Faro is a resort town with good options for the beache. However, Helsinki is not a beach destination.

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.

Helsinki is not a beach destination.

Is Helsinki or Faro Better for its Old Town?

Faro is a resort town with good options for its old town. However, Helsinki 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.

Helsinki does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Helsinki or Faro?

Helsinki 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 Helsinki. The city is great for shopping, with many brands focused on sustainability. There are local boutiques as well as name brands. Flea markets and vintage shops are also popular.

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 Helsinki or Faro Better for Families?

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

Helsinki is a very family-friendly destination. The coastal setting offers many activities that kids and adults alike will enjoy. This capital city has a calm atmosphere with plenty of parkland to explore. The shoreline is dotted by islands where you'll also find a zoo and a fort. Kids will also enjoy exploring the islands by boat.

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 Helsinki or Faro Better for Couples?

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

Helsinki is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The city's many parks offer the perfect setting for a picnic or a walk. There are also botanical gardens, evening boat rides, and saunas that will help you enjoy a romantic trip 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 Helsinki or Faro Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Helsinki and Faro are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Helsinki is a good city to visit for backpackers. With its active nightlife scene, vibrant atmosphere, and inclusive personality, this city is a fun place for backpackers, but you should expect to pay a premium for the experience. Many backpackers avoid the city because they have heard how expensive it is. There are a few hostels around that will help you keep costs a bit more manageable.

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

Is Helsinki or Faro Better for Students?

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

Helsinki is a great city to visit as a student. The city has an active student life with plenty of culture and nature. It's active nightlife scene and beautiful natural areas make it a wonderful place to study.

Faro is not popular with students.

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

Helsinki 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 Helsinki is fairly effecient and thorough. Transit options include bus, tram, metro, commuter train and ferry services.

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

Is Helsinki or Faro a more walkable city?

Helsinki and Faro are nice when it comes to walkability.

Helsinki is a somewhat walkable place. Many neighborhoods are easy to explore on foot. The air is also clean and the setting is refreshing.

Faro is a somewhat walkable city. The city's old town is particularly walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Helsinki Worth Visiting? and Is Faro Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Faro or Helsinki?

How long in Helsinki or Faro?

In either Helsinki or Faro, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Faro than Helsinki because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Helsinki, and 2-5 days is enough time in Faro.

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

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

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

One day in Helsinki or Faro?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Helsinki. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

The resort town of Faro offers nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Helsinki or Faro?

Helsinki 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.

Faro is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this resort town makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Faro, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Helsinki or Faro?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the environmentally conscious destination of Helsinki. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Faro is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Faro, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Helsinki or Faro?

The active city of Helsinki offers nightlife and food. 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.

Faro is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This resort town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal.

When comparing the travel costs between Helsinki and Faro, we can see that Helsinki is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Faro?

Helsinki has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki and Faro, 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 Helsinki or Faro?

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 Helsinki or Faro in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Helsinki and Faro. Most visitors come to Helsinki for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Faro because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Helsinki is generally much colder than Faro. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 17°C (62°F), and Faro fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Faro this time of the year. In Helsinki, it's very sunny this time of the year. Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Faro during summer. Helsinki gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Faro receives 374 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Helsinki usually receives more rain than Faro. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Faro receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Helsinki or Faro in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Faro. The autumn months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Faro this time of year.

Helsinki is much colder than Faro in the autumn. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Faro fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. In the autumn, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Faro. Helsinki gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Faro receives 222 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Faro. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Faro receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Helsinki or Faro in the Winter?

Both Faro and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Helsinki this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Faro for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Helsinki in the winter. In the winter, Helsinki is much colder than Faro. Typically, the winter temperatures in Helsinki in January average around -6°C (21°F), and Faro averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Faro during winter. Helsinki gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Faro receives 161 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Faro. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Faro receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Helsinki or Faro in the Spring?

Both Faro and Helsinki during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Helsinki for the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Faro in the spring for the beaches.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Helsinki. In April, Helsinki is generally much colder than Faro. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 3°C (37°F), and Faro fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Faro. Helsinki gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Faro receives 248 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Faro. Helsinki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Faro receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Faro and Helsinki