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

Should you visit Beijing or Faro?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Beijing and Faro can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Beijing

Beijing is a fascinating, historic, and massive city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Beijing is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Beijing travel costs.

Faro

Faro is a active, popular, and busy resort town. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and nightlife. See Faro travel costs.

Beijing and Faro: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or Faro?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Beijing than Faro, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Beijing is better known for its museums and attractions, food, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Faro is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and historical sights. Beijing is more touristy than Faro and is popular for its rich culture, many historical landmarks, its long running history, and its world class cuisine. Also, Beijing is famous for The Forbidden City. Faro is well known for its historical sights and rich culture.

How is Beijing different from Faro?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Beijing is a must-visit destination for its historical sights. However, Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Beijing from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The city is filled with iconic landmarks including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and The Temple of Heaven. It's also essential that you plan a trip outside of town to the world renowned Great Wall of China. The trip takes about an hour and you can organize a tour through almost any hotel or tour company.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Beijing 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, Beijing is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city has a number of iconic dishes that have put it on the culinary map. The most notable dish is Peking Duck, which is a delectable crispy roast duck that is usually served with cucumber, scallions, sweet bean sauce and pancakes or other steamed buns. Hot pots are another must-try experience in the city, and, of course, you have to experience the dumplings. A huge part of a visit to Beijing is experiencing its long running culinary history.

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 Beijing or Faro Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Beijing or Faro has a better nightlife scene.

The people in Beijing know how to have a good time. Live performances are popular in the city, and range from concerts to magic shows and acrobatics. There is also an active bar scene around town. Some of the most popular nightlife areas include Sanlitun and Houhai.

The nightlife in Faro has something for everybody. The city's bustling party scene thrives along Rua de São Pedro, Rua Conselheiro Bívar, and Rua do Prior.

Is Beijing or Faro Better for Resorts?

Faro is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Beijing is not a resort destination.

Faro is a world class resort vacation destination. Popular resorts include Vila Vita Parc Resort and Spa, Conrad Algarve, and Tivoli Carvoeiro.

Beijing is not a resort destination.

Is Beijing or Faro Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a resort town with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Beijing is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

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.

Beijing is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Beijing or Faro Better for Beaches?

Faro is a resort town with good options for the beach. However, Beijing is not a beach destination.

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.

Beijing is not a beach destination.

Is Beijing or Faro Better for its Old Town?

Faro is a resort town with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Beijing does not have a historic old town.

Faro offers a nice historic old town area. 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.

Beijing does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or Faro?

Beijing 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 Beijing. There are many unique handicrafts that you can purchase around town. Popular souvenirs include silk, pearls, and snuff bottles with pictures inside. The city has many shopping streets as well as markets and shopping malls that are worth visiting.

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 Beijing or Faro More Beautiful?

Beijing is a nice place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Faro is not a destination known for its beauty.

Beijing is a gorgeous place to visit. The parks, gardens, palaces, and temples all offer a glimpse into the past, while also letting you enjoy the city and culture that exists today.

Faro is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Beijing or Faro Better for Families?

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

Beijing offers lots of family activities. The city offers a unique cultural immersion that kids and adults can enjoy. Wander through the Forbidden City or watch your kids be mesmerized by a Chinese acrobatics show. It's also fun to get lost in the Hutongs or test their culinary palates by visiting a snack street.

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 Beijing or Faro Better for Couples?

Both Beijing and Faro are notable destinations for a couple's getaway.

Beijing is a good city for couples to visit. The culture, history, and food all make this a stunning place to visit. While romance doesn't immediately spring to mind when you think of Beijing, there are shows and fine dining restaurants that couples will enjoy. There are also many luxury hotels with spas and other amenities.

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

Is Beijing or Faro Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Beijing is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The city has many hostels and budget-friendly options. There isn't the backpacker community vibe that you may get in other Asian cities, but if you organize an excursion through your hostel, you're sure to make a few friends along the way.

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 Beijing or Faro Better for Students?

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

Beijing is a great city to visit as a student. Students will enjoy the culture, food, and academic opportunities that the universities offer. There is also a decent nightlife scene and affordable places where students can live.

Faro is not popular with students.

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

Beijing is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its public transit.

Public transit in Beijing is fairly effecient and thorough. The system can be crowded and confusing at first, but it's one of the most convenient and affordable ways to get around town. There's a subway system as well as buses, trolleybuses, and suburban rail.

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

Is Beijing or Faro a more walkable city?

Faro is a resort town with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Beijing is a city with minimal options for its walkability.

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

Beijing is generally not a very walkable city. While parts of the city are fun to explore on foot, the city itself is very large with long blocks that aren't pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Faro or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or Faro?

In either Beijing or Faro, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Beijing than Faro because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Beijing, and 2-5 days is enough time in Faro.

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

Couples should spend more time in Faro than Beijing. 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 Beijing 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 Beijing.

One day in Beijing or Faro?

Beijing is a big city destination where you can fill many days. 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 Beijing or Faro?

Beijing is a fun place to experience. 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 Beijing or Faro?

Beijing is a jam-packed big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. 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 Beijing or Faro?

Beijing is a cultural city where you can fill many days. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

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 from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, 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 Beijing and Faro, we can see that Faro is more expensive. And not only is Beijing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beijing is in Asia and Faro is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Beijing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beijing 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 Beijing.

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

Which is Bigger, Beijing or Faro?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 180 times larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Beijing 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 Beijing 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 Beijing or Faro in the Summer?

Both Faro and Beijing during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Beijing for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Faro because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Beijing is around the same temperature as Faro. Typically, the summer temperatures in Beijing in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Faro averages at about 25°C (78°F).

In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the summer, Beijing often gets less sunshine than Faro. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Faro receives 374 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually gets more rain in July than Faro. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Faro receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Faro in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Faro. The autumn months attract visitors to Beijing because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the shopping scene are the main draw to Faro this time of year.

In October, Beijing is generally cooler than Faro. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (56°F), and Faro fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Faro this time of the year. In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Faro during autumn. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Faro receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Beijing usually receives less rain than Faro. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Faro receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Beijing or Faro in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Faro. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Beijing this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Faro for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Beijing in the winter. Beijing is much colder than Faro in the winter. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around -4°C (26°F) in January, and Faro fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the winter, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Faro. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Faro receives 161 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in January than Faro. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Faro receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Faro in the Spring?

Both Faro and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Beijing for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Faro in the spring for the beaches.

In the spring, Beijing is cooler than Faro. Typically, the spring temperatures in Beijing in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Faro averages at about 17°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Faro. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Faro during spring. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Faro receives 248 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Beijing usually receives less rain than Faro. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Faro receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Faro and Beijing