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

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Faro?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki 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.

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is a historic, vibrant, and high energy city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. 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.

Thessaloniki and Faro: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Thessaloniki or Faro?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Thessaloniki. Although Thessaloniki and Faro are popular destinations, Thessaloniki has more sights and attractions for tourists. Thessaloniki is very popular for its museums, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Faro attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and historical sights. Thessaloniki is famous for its many archeological sights, its large young population, and its great transportation connections. It is also well known for The Monument of Rotonda. Faro is famous for its historical sights and rich culture.

How is Thessaloniki different from Faro?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki can be an interesting and educational experience. There are a huge number of historic and archeological sights in the city. These include the Rotunda of Galerius, the White Tower, the Church of Agios Dimitrios, and the Arch of Galerius.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki. There's a huge culinary scene in the city, and you'll find everything from fun street food options to traditional tavernas and even some great international restaurants.

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 Thessaloniki or Faro Better for Nightlife?

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

Thessaloniki has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. It's the second largest city in Greece, and it has large student and tourist populations, so the nightlife scene is among the best in Greece. There are clubs, bars, and lounges that stay busy late into the night.

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 Thessaloniki or Faro Better for Resorts?

Faro is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Thessaloniki 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.

Thessaloniki is not a resort destination.

Is Thessaloniki or Faro Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Thessaloniki 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.

Thessaloniki is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Thessaloniki or Faro Better for Beaches?

Faro is a popular place for the beache. However, Thessaloniki is lacking in options for the beach.

Faro is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

The beach in Thessaloniki is worth checking out. Although the city's not known for its beaches, there are some places where you can relax by the water, particularly if you're willing to get a bit out of town.

Is Thessaloniki or Faro Better for its Old Town?

Faro is a popular place for its old town. However, Thessaloniki 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.

Thessaloniki does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Thessaloniki or Faro?

Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki. There are shopping streets as well as large malls and shopping centers. You'll find everything from fashion, jewelry, and handicrafts to most European and international brands.

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 Thessaloniki or Faro Better for Families?

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

Thessaloniki offers lots of family activities. The port city has a number of museums and attractions for kids including Dinosaur Park, the Noesis Science and Technology Museum, and the water park known as Waterland. There's also the fascinating Kapani Market that is fun to explore.

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 Thessaloniki or Faro Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Thessaloniki and Faro make for a nice place to visit.

Thessaloniki makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a bustling city that is filled with history and excellent restaurants. Couples who enjoy history and fun cities will appreciate a visit here.

Faro is a good city for couples to visit. With the beautiful natural areas and historic old town, this seaport makes a nice couples vacation.

Is Thessaloniki or Faro Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Thessaloniki is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for backpackers.

Thessaloniki is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There's no shortage of hostels in this city, and you'll find plenty of backpackers to hang out with.

Faro is a good city 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 Thessaloniki or Faro Better for Students?

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

Thessaloniki is a great city to visit as a student. There's a large student population in the city and you'll find a vibrant nightlife scene, easy transportation options, and a reasonable cost of living.

Faro is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Thessaloniki and Faro.

Thessaloniki has some public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system that connects most of the city and its suburbs.

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 Thessaloniki or Faro a more walkable city?

Thessaloniki and Faro are nice when it comes to walkability.

Thessaloniki is a somewhat walkable place. You can explore much of the city center on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Faro or Thessaloniki?

How long in Thessaloniki or Faro?

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

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

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

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

One day in Thessaloniki or Faro?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Thessaloniki. 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 scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this popular resort town offers. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Thessaloniki or Faro?

Thessaloniki 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 fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Thessaloniki or Faro?

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

In Faro, many people enjoy the nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling that this busy destination offers. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A week in Thessaloniki or Faro?

The high energy city of Thessaloniki 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 popular place to visit. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Faro?

Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki or Faro in the Summer?

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

In July, Thessaloniki is generally around the same temperature as Faro. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 25°C (77°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 Thessaloniki, it's very sunny this time of the year. Thessaloniki usually receives less sunshine than Faro during summer. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies, while Faro receives 374 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Thessaloniki usually receives more rain than Faro. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Faro receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Faro in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Faro. Many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, most visitors come to Faro for the shopping scene during these months.

Thessaloniki is cooler than Faro in the autumn. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 16°C (61°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, Thessaloniki often gets less sunshine than Faro. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Faro receives 222 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in October than Faro. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Faro receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Faro in the Winter?

Both Faro and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Thessaloniki 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.

In the winter, Thessaloniki is much colder than Faro. Typically, the winter temperatures in Thessaloniki in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Faro averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives less sunshine than Faro during winter. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Faro receives 161 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Faro. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Faro receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Faro in the Spring?

Both Faro and Thessaloniki during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Faro this time of year.

In April, Thessaloniki is generally cooler than Faro. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 13°C (56°F), and Faro fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Thessaloniki often gets less sunshine than Faro. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Faro receives 248 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Faro. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Faro receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Faro and Thessaloniki