A Travel Price Comparison for Portugal Lagos vs. Faro for Resorts, Beaches, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Lagos or Faro?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lagos and Faro. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Lagos

Lagos is a adventure-filled, dramatic, and vibrant resort town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Faro

Faro is a popular, busy, and active resort town. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Lagos and Faro: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lagos or Faro?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lagos. Although Lagos and Faro are both popular with visitors, Lagos has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Lagos is more popular for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Faro is known for its historical sights. Lagos is more touristy than Faro and is popular for its dramatic beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant nightlife. It is also home to Ponta da Piedade. Faro is popular for its historical sights and rich culture.

How is Lagos different from Faro?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Lagos 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 Lagos. The city offers some of the best food in the Algarve. The old town has plenty of restaurants that are both affordable and high quality. Seafood is the obvious choice, but you'll also find tapas, paellas, and local dishes such as cataplana (a seafood and chorizo stew). Most restaurants serve up a local fish of the day as well as prawns and other seafood items.

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 Lagos or Faro Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Lagos and Faro.

Lagos is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city has a mellow vibe, even at night, but that's not to say there aren't good parties going on, particularly during the peak of the travel season. There's a local charm to the nightlife scene here and you'll likely start to recognize other party-goers. Many of the bars are housed in character-filled old buildings which can feel a bit cramped, but that's all part of the charm.

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.

Is Lagos or Faro Better for Resorts?

There are world-class resorts to choose from in both Lagos and Faro.

Vacationers flock to Lagos for its luxury resorts. As a resort town, you'll find no shortage of places to stay in the area. If you don't have a car, your best options are in the historic center. If transportation isn't a concern, then you'll find plenty of great resorts in the Marina, Meia Praia, Dona Ana Beach, Camilo Beach, and Porto de Mós Beach.

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

Is Lagos or Faro Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Lagos is great for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its diving and snorkeling.

Many visitors go to Lagos to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. With its unique rock formations and caves, there are many spots where you can snorkel or scuba dive nearby. There's also sparkling blue waters and plenty of marine life including lobster, shrimp, anemones, octopuses, and brightly colored fish.

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.

Is Lagos or Faro Better for Beaches?

Lagos is a must-visit destination for its beaches. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for the beache.

The beaches in Lagos are among the best in the world. The beaches are long, flat and sandy with beautifully dramatic rock formations. The largest beach in the area is Meia Praia and arguably one of the best beaches is Praia Dona Ana. For convenience, Praia da Batata is the closest beach to town. Praia de Porto de Mós is one of the more quiet beaches, but it's still along a bus line. For beautiful nature head to either Praia dos Estudantes or Praia dos Pinheiros.

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 Lagos or Faro Better for its Old Town?

Faro is a good destination for its historic old town. However, Lagos does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Faro to see the historical 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.

Lagos does not have a historic old town.

Is Lagos or Faro Better for Hiking?

Lagos is great for hiking. However, Faro is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Lagos for the hiking trails. The city makes an excellent base for exploring some of the nearby hikes and walks. Favorite places to hike include the famous Ponte de Piedade Trail, which is the last part of the multi-day Fisherman's Trail. It takes you by many beautiful rock formations and scenic viewpoints. Another scenic hike is The Alvor Walkways, which is a series of boardwalks through sand dunes.

Faro is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Lagos or Faro?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Faro and Lagos.

Lagos is a great destination for shopping. The town has a long history of local artisan crafts. You can head to the seafront promenade and find local traditional items such as ceramics, leather goods, and jewelry.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Is Lagos or Faro Better for Families?

Lagos is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. However, Faro is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Lagos is an amazing family-friendly resort town to visit. You can spend days hanging out on the beautiful beaches, but there are so many other activities that the whole family will enjoy. Explore the caves in kayaks, take surfing lessons, head for the zoo, or go dolphin watching. There are also plenty of playgrounds and kid-friendly restaurants around town.

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 Lagos or Faro Better for Couples?

Lagos is a must-visit destination for romance. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its romantic activities.

Lagos has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The beaches and hotels in the area offer a truly romantic setting for couples, whether you're on a honeymoon or a couple's weekend getaway. Spend some time on the beach or go kayaking through the caves. Get a spa treatment at a luxury hotel or go wine tasting through the countryside. You can also enjoy the beautiful sunsets on a sunset boat cruise while sipping a glass of local wine.

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 Lagos or Faro Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lagos is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Lagos. The area is a favorite for backpackers who come to hang out on the beaches during the day or party late into the night after the sun goes down. There are plenty of hostels around town and many offer a social vibe where it's easy to meet other travelers.

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

Faro is a good destination for its public transit. However, Lagos is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Faro, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses that connect the city to the beach, the airport, and other outlying areas.

Public transit is mostly limited in Lagos. The area has buses, but they are limited in where they go. There is also reduced service on weekends and holidays.

Is Lagos or Faro a more walkable city?

Faro is a good destination for its walkability. However, Lagos is not particularly known for its high level of walkability.

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

Lagos is not a very walkable resort town. Most people prefer to have a car as some areas are very hilly and many resorts are outside of town. Depending on your fitness level and motivation, you may be able to get by without a vehicle, but it is generally not recommended.

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

Should I spend more time in Faro or Lagos?

How long in Lagos or Faro?

In either Lagos or Faro, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Lagos has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Lagos than Faro. In general, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Lagos, and 2-5 days is enough time in Faro.

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

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

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

One day in Lagos or Faro?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Lagos. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Faro, many people enjoy the nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling that this busy 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.

A weekend in Lagos or Faro?

Lagos is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the beaches. 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 a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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.

Five days in Lagos or Faro?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the dramatic destination of Lagos. This resort town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

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.

A week in Lagos or Faro?

The scenic resort town of Lagos offers nightlife and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

You'll find nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling around the busy 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Portugal, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Portugal.

When comparing the travel costs between Lagos and Faro, we can see that Faro 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 Lagos Expensive? and Is Faro Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lagos or Faro?

Faro has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Lagos. When comparing the sizes of Lagos 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 Lagos or Faro?

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 Lagos or Faro in the Summer?

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

Lagos is around the same temperature as Faro in the summer. The daily temperature in Lagos averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Faro fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Lagos. Lagos usually gets more rain in July than Faro. Lagos gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Faro receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lagos or Faro in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Lagos is a little warmer than Faro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lagos in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Faro averages at about 20°C (68°F).

Lagos gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Lagos usually receives more rain than Faro. Lagos gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Faro receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lagos or Faro in the Winter?

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

In January, Lagos is generally much warmer than Faro. Daily temperatures in Lagos average around 27°C (81°F), and Faro fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Lagos usually gets less rain in January than Faro. Lagos gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Faro receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lagos or Faro in the Spring?

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

Lagos is much warmer than Faro in the spring. The daily temperature in Lagos averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Faro fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

It's quite rainy in Lagos. In April, Lagos usually receives more rain than Faro. Lagos gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Faro receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Faro and Lagos