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

Should you visit Vilnius 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 Vilnius 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.

Vilnius

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

Vilnius and Faro: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Vilnius or Faro?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Faro. Although Vilnius and Faro are popular destinations, Faro has more sights and attractions for tourists. Faro is very popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Vilnius attracts visitors for its museums, food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Faro is more touristy than Vilnius and is popular for its historical sights and rich culture. It is also well known for The Arco da Vila. Vilnius is famous for its authentic old town and long running history.

How is Vilnius different from Faro?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Vilnius is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The city has fascinating museums relating to Soviet times. These include the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights and the Lithuanian Diaspora Art Museum. Other notable sights include the Three Crosses Monument and the St. Anne's and Bernardine Church Complex.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Vilnius 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 Vilnius. The food is hearty with plenty of meat and potatoes. There are also soups and herring dishes as well as great desserts. Popular dishes in the area include cepelinai (meat filled potato dumplings), kibinai (a pastry), and potato pancakes.

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 Vilnius or Faro Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are great in both Vilnius and Faro.

Vilnius has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The large student population is at the heart of the city's nightlife scene. You'll find most of the activity centered around three streets - Vilniaus, Islandijos and Vokiečių. These areas have a number of bars and clubs, and they draw the biggest crowds.

Faro has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city's bustling party scene thrives along Rua de São Pedro, Rua Conselheiro Bívar, and Rua do Prior.

Is Vilnius or Faro Better for Resorts?

Faro is an amazing resort town to visit for its resorts. However, Vilnius is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Faro for its luxury resorts. Popular resorts include Vila Vita Parc Resort and Spa, Conrad Algarve, and Tivoli Carvoeiro.

Vilnius is not a resort destination.

Is Vilnius or Faro Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a good destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Vilnius is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery 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.

Vilnius is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Vilnius or Faro Better for Beaches?

Faro is a good destination for the beache. However, Vilnius is not a beach destination.

Faro offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Vilnius is not a beach destination.

Is Vilnius or Faro Better for its Old Town?

Vilnius 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 Vilnius to see the historical old town. The old town is filled with history, architecture, and churches. It's also where you'll find Vilnius University. At the heart of the area is Pilies Gatve (Castle Street), which has shopping, cafes, and restaurants.

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 Vilnius or Faro?

Both Vilnius and Faro are nice shopping destinations.

Vilnius offers some nice shopping areas. For quaint shops, head to old town, particularly around Pilies Gatve. The city also has an open air market, Kalvarijų Turgus, that is popular on Saturdays. There are also a few shopping malls around town.

Faro has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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 Vilnius or Faro Better for Families?

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

Vilnius offers lots of family activities. The city has a number of historic sights, but once your kids have had their fill, you can head to one of the outdoor or indoor play areas in the city center. There's also a toy museum and an Energy and Technology Museum that kids will enjoy. After a busy day, make sure you grab some ice cream to lift everyone's spirits.

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 Vilnius or Faro Better for Couples?

Vilnius and Faro both nice destinations for a couple.

Vilnius makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city is filled with viewpoints, from hill tops to towers, where you can enjoy romantic views over the landscape. You can also dine in a local restaurant or enjoy a picnic in one of the outdoor settings.

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 Vilnius or Faro Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Vilnius is very popular with the backpacker crowd. For backpackers who want to escape the crowds, this off-the-beaten path European capital is a great option. It has history, charm, and an authenticity that is hard to find in a more touristy area. It's also an affordable city, with hostels and plenty of cheap places to eat.

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 Vilnius or Faro Better for Students?

Vilnius is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Faro is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Vilnius. The city is small but charming with a number of places where international students can study. It's an affordable city with a lively atmosphere and an authenticate and genuine personality.

Faro is not popular with students.

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

Both Vilnius and Faro offer nice public transit options.

Vilnius has a few public transit options. Bus and trolleybuses are available.

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

Is Vilnius or Faro a more walkable city?

Vilnius and Faro both are nice when exploring on foot.

Vilnius is a somewhat walkable place. The old town is the most walkable part of the city.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Faro or Vilnius?

How long in Vilnius or Faro?

In either Vilnius or Faro, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Faro than Vilnius because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-4 days is a good amount of time for Vilnius, and 2-5 days is enough time in Faro.

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

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

One day in Vilnius or Faro?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Vilnius. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

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 Vilnius or Faro?

Vilnius 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 Vilnius or Faro?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of Vilnius. 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 Vilnius or Faro?

The historic city of Vilnius 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Lithuania, 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 Vilnius and Faro, we can see that Faro is more expensive. And not only is Vilnius much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vilnius would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vilnius 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 Vilnius.

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

Which is Bigger, Vilnius or Faro?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Vilnius as well as Faro. Many visitors come to Vilnius in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Faro for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Vilnius is generally cooler than Faro. Daily temperatures in Vilnius average around 18°C (65°F), and Faro fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vilnius this time of the year. In the summer, Vilnius often gets less sunshine than Faro. Vilnius gets 219 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Faro receives 374 hours of full sun.

Vilnius usually gets more rain in July than Faro. Vilnius gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Faro receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vilnius or Faro in the Autumn?

Both Faro and Vilnius are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Vilnius for 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.

Vilnius is much colder than Faro in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vilnius averages around 8°C (46°F) in October, and Faro fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Faro. Vilnius usually receives less sunshine than Faro during autumn. Vilnius gets 94 hours of sunny skies, while Faro receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Vilnius usually receives less rain than Faro. Vilnius gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Faro receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Vilnius or Faro in the Winter?

Both Faro and Vilnius during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Vilnius because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Faro this time of year.

The weather in Vilnius can be very cold. In the winter, Vilnius is much colder than Faro. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vilnius in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Faro averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the winter, Vilnius often gets less sunshine than Faro. Vilnius gets 36 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Faro receives 161 hours of full sun.

Vilnius usually gets less rain in January than Faro. Vilnius gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Faro receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vilnius or Faro in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Vilnius and Faro. The natural beauty are the main draw to Vilnius this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Faro for the beaches.

In April, Vilnius is generally much colder than Faro. Daily temperatures in Vilnius average around 7°C (45°F), and Faro fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Faro this time of the year. Vilnius usually receives less sunshine than Faro during spring. Vilnius gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Faro receives 248 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Vilnius usually receives more rain than Faro. Vilnius gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Faro receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Faro and Vilnius