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

Should you visit Mykonos 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 Mykonos 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.

Mykonos

Mykonos is a opulent, picturesque, and postcard perfect Greek island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Faro

Faro is a busy, active, and popular resort town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Mykonos and Faro: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mykonos or Faro?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Mykonos. Although Mykonos and Faro are popular destinations, Mykonos has more sights and attractions for tourists. Mykonos is more touristy than Faro and is popular for its active party scene, luxury accommodation, and picturesque villages. It is also well known for the traditional windmills near Chora. Faro is famous for its historical sights and rich culture.

How is Mykonos different from Faro?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Mykonos is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Visitors enjoy checking out the windmills and churches around the island. You can also hop over to Delos to see its archeological sites.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Mykonos is a must-visit destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Faro is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Mykonos is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Like most things on the island, food is expensive, but its also very good. Make sure you try the louza sausage, kopanisti cheese, and melopita pie.

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 Mykonos or Faro Better for Nightlife?

Mykonos is a must-visit destination for nightlife. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for nightlife and partying.

Mykonos is a world class party destination. With many exclusive clubs and bars, this island is among the best for nightlife in Greece. Popular options include Tropicana Club, Scarpa, and Super Paradise Beach Club.

Faro has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city's bustling party scene thrives along Rua de São Pedro, Rua Conselheiro Bívar, and Rua do Prior.

Is Mykonos or Faro Better for Resorts?

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

Vacationers flock to Mykonos for its luxury resorts. There are many world class luxury resorts on the island that offer a variety of amenities including pools, restaurants, and spas. Popular options include Myconian Avaton Resort, Myconian Imperial Resort and Villas, and Myconian Utopia Resort.

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 Mykonos or Faro Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Mykonos 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 Mykonos to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. There are many good diving and snorkeling spots around the island include shipwrecks and reefs with good visibility.

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 Mykonos or Faro Better for Beaches?

Mykonos 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 Mykonos. This island has become popular for its sandy beaches, but these days they come with a high price. Many are lined with umbrellas and sunbeds that you can rent. They often have bars that bring high energy and loud music. The water is often calm enough to enjoy swimming or water sports. Most of the best beaches are on the southern side of the island, but there are less crowds on the northern side, although the weather may not be as good.

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 Mykonos or Faro Better for its Old Town?

Mykonos 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 Mykonos can be explored in its historical center. Chora, the old town and largest town on the island, is filled with windmills, cafes, churches, and charming streets.

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 Mykonos or Faro Better for Hiking?

Mykonos is mediocre for hiking. However, Faro is not a hiking destination.

Mykonos has hiking trails for those that seek them out. This island doesn't have any real hiking but you can walk to the beach along the road. The island is mostly flat.

Faro is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Mykonos or Faro?

Mykonos 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 Mykonos. This island has become the playground for celebrities and the wealthy, so there are plenty of shopping opportunities in town.

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 Mykonos or Faro Better for Families?

Most people don't think of either Mykonos or Faro as a family destination.

Mykonos is not the most family-friendly destination. This island is a bit of a party destination, so many people choose alternative islands when visiting Greece with their kids. If you do head to Mykonos, you'll find nice beaches and some good museums.

Faro is not always a place people visit with their families. There are some nice nature reserves in the area so kids who love wildlife will enjoy a visit.

Is Mykonos or Faro Better for Couples?

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

Mykonos has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Couples who enjoy beautiful coastal settings with a great party scene will love a vacation or honeymoon to this Greek island.

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 Mykonos or Faro Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Faro is a good destination for backpackers. However, Mykonos is not a good Greek island for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Mykonos is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The island appeals to the wealthy and glamourous, but for backpackers and budget travelers, there are a few budget-friendly hotels. It'll be a bit harder to find affordable food though, as restaurants can be quite expensive.

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

Both Mykonos and Faro offer nice public transit options.

Mykonos has a few public transit options. There is a bus system that connects the towns and beaches on the island. Both major bus stations are on the western side of the island.

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

Is Mykonos or Faro a more walkable city?

Mykonos is a must-visit destination for its walkability. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its high level of walkability.

Mykonos is a very easy Greek island to get around on foot. Walking is actually one of the only ways to get around town.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Faro or Mykonos?

How long in Mykonos or Faro?

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

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

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

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

One day in Mykonos or Faro?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Mykonos. 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.

In Faro, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This resort town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Mykonos or Faro?

Mykonos is a fun place to experience. 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.

In Faro, you'll find nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Faro has to offer.

Five days in Mykonos or Faro?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the picturesque destination of Mykonos. This Greek island 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.

Faro is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Faro has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Mykonos or Faro?

The picturesque Greek island of Mykonos 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Faro. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Faro. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Mykonos or Faro?

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