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

Should you visit Nafplio or Faro?

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

Should I visit Nafplio or Faro? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Nafplio

Nafplio is a romantic, beautiful, and picturesque city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Faro

Faro is a active, popular, and busy resort town. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Nafplio and Faro: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nafplio or Faro?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Nafplio than Faro, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Nafplio is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Faro is more popular for its resorts and scuba diving & snorkeling. Nafplio is well known for its romantic atmosphere, beautiful architecture, and impressive Venetian castles. Also, Nafplio is famous for Palamidi Castle. Faro is well known for its historical sights and rich culture.

How is Nafplio different from Faro?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Nafplio 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 Nafplio can be an interesting and educational experience. There are a number of historic sights that are accessible from the town. One of the most iconic sights is the Palamidi Castle. You'll also find several fortresses in the area. There's also an archeological museum in town as well as the Folklore Museum.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Nafplio 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 Nafplio. The local restaurants serve up traditional Greek dishes that are local to the region and country. You'll find fresh seafood on most menus as well as moussaka, souvlaki, the famous Greek salad.

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 Nafplio or Faro Better for Nightlife?

Both Nafplio and Faro have very good vibes after the sun sets.

Nafplio has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. You'll find a good concentration of bars and clubs along the waterfront. There are also a number of smaller bars and cafes near Syntagma Square and the nearby streets. In the later hours, many bars turn up the music and turn into dance clubs.

The people in Faro know how to have a good time. The city's bustling party scene thrives along Rua de São Pedro, Rua Conselheiro Bívar, and Rua do Prior.

Is Nafplio or Faro Better for Resorts?

Faro is a must-visit destination for its luxury resorts. However, Nafplio is not a resort destination.

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

Nafplio is not a resort destination.

Is Nafplio or Faro Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Nafplio is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Faro has a few good snorkeling spots. 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.

Nafplio is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nafplio or Faro Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Nafplio and Faro are notable choices.

Nafplio is a good option for a beach vacation. If you head outside of the city, you'll find some nice beaches where you can spend a day. The most notable beaches in the area are Tolo, Kandia, and Nea Kios.

Many people head to Faro to enjoy the beach. 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 Nafplio or Faro Better for its Old Town?

Nafplio 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 Nafplio to see the historical old town. The charming old town spreads out from Syntagma Square. It's a great place to start your day with many cafes spilling into the 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 the Shopping Better in Nafplio or Faro?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Nafplio and Faro.

Nafplio has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Shopping in the old town is charming, but for the best retail options, you'll actually want to visit the new town. There are a variety of clothing and fashion outlets, with some of the best shopping streets being Sidiras Merarchias, Argous, and Asklipiou.

Faro is a great destination for shopping. 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 Nafplio or Faro Better for Families?

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

Nafplio offers lots of family activities. The charming, car-free center is fun to explore for all ages. There are several archeological sights around town as well as playgrounds and a great castle.

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 Nafplio or Faro Better for Couples?

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

Nafplio is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Many people consider this to be one of the most romantic towns in Greece. You can explore the quaint village center and sample the cuisine at one of the many restaurants. It's easy to reach from Athens and the seaside setting is perfect any time of the year.

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 Nafplio or Faro Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nafplio and Faro are both notable destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Nafplio. There are pensions and other affordable accommodation options around town, if you decide to spend a night here.

Faro is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. The are some good hostels in the area, but it's a bit tricky to get around without a car.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Nafplio and Faro.

Nafplio has some public transit options. There are buses through the region that are operated by KTEL Argolidas. Most routes leave from the central bus station.

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.

Is Nafplio or Faro a more walkable city?

Nafplio 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.

Nafplio is a very easy city to get around on foot. There are parts of the center of town that are car-free and there are many great areas that you can explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Faro or Nafplio?

How long in Nafplio or Faro?

In either Nafplio or Faro, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Faro than Nafplio because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Nafplio, and 2-5 days is enough time in Faro.

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

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

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

One day in Nafplio or Faro?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Nafplio. 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 Nafplio or Faro?

Nafplio 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.

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 Nafplio or Faro?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the romantic destination of Nafplio. 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.

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 Nafplio or Faro?

The beautiful city of Nafplio 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.

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 Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to 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 Nafplio and Faro, we can see that Faro is more expensive. And not only is Nafplio much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nafplio would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nafplio 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 Nafplio.

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

Which is Bigger, Nafplio or Faro?

Faro has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Nafplio. When comparing the sizes of Nafplio 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 Nafplio 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 Nafplio or Faro in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nafplio and Faro. Many travelers come to Nafplio for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Faro in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Nafplio is around the same temperature as Faro. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nafplio in July average around 25°C (76°F), and Faro averages at about 25°C (78°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Faro this time of the year. In Nafplio, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nafplio usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Faro during summer. Nafplio gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Faro receives 374 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Nafplio usually receives more rain than Faro. Nafplio gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Faro receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nafplio or Faro in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nafplio as well as Faro. Many visitors come to Nafplio in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Faro for the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Nafplio is generally around the same temperature as Faro. Daily temperatures in Nafplio average around 19°C (66°F), and Faro fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nafplio this time of the year. In the autumn, Nafplio often gets less sunshine than Faro. Nafplio gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Faro receives 222 hours of full sun.

Nafplio receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nafplio usually gets more rain in October than Faro. Nafplio gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Faro receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nafplio or Faro in the Winter?

Both Faro and Nafplio are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Nafplio for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Faro because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Nafplio is cooler than Faro in the winter. The daily temperature in Nafplio averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Faro fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Nafplio usually receives less sunshine than Faro during winter. Nafplio gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Faro receives 161 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Nafplio. In January, Nafplio usually receives more rain than Faro. Nafplio gets 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Faro receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nafplio or Faro in the Spring?

Both Faro and Nafplio during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Nafplio because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Faro this time of year.

In the spring, Nafplio is cooler than Faro. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nafplio in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Faro averages at about 17°C (62°F).

In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Nafplio. In the spring, Nafplio often gets less sunshine than Faro. Nafplio gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Faro receives 248 hours of full sun.

Nafplio usually gets more rain in April than Faro. Nafplio gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Faro receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Faro and Nafplio