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

Should you visit Faro or Florence?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Faro or Florence, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Faro

Faro is a busy, active, and popular resort town. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Faro travel costs.

Florence

Florence is a iconic, alluring, and historical city. Many visitors also come to Florence because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Florence travel costs.

Faro and Florence: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Florence?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Florence. Although Faro and Florence are popular destinations, Florence has more sights and attractions for tourists. Florence is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Faro attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Florence is more touristy than Faro and is known for its iconic beauty, world-renowned Renaissance art and architecture, and beautifully maintained gardens. It is also well known for The Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore). Faro is famous for its historical sights and rich culture.

How is Faro different from Florence?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Travelers visit Florence from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. Because of it's important role in the Renaissance, the city has many world-renowned museums that you can visit. Famous sights and landmarks include the Uffizi Gallery, the Duomo, and the Academy Gallery.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Florence 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, Florence is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Once you've worked up an appetite exploring museums and churches, you'll find many amazing local restaurants around town. Local dishes incorporate a lot of hearty vegetables and meats. Famous dishes include a Florentine steak dish, rabbit, and a bean and cabbage soup. You'll also find all of your favorite Italian staples and many great family-owned trattorie.

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 Faro or Florence Better for Nightlife?

Faro is a great resort town for nightlife and partying. Also, Florence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Florence. You'll find the most active nightlife in the Santa Croce neighborhood. The area attracts study abroad students as well as tourists who party late into the night.

Is Faro or Florence Better for Resorts?

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

Faro offers an unforgettable resort vacation. Popular resorts include Vila Vita Parc Resort and Spa, Conrad Algarve, and Tivoli Carvoeiro.

Florence is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Florence Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Florence is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Faro has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. 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.

Florence is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Florence Better for Beaches?

Faro is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Florence is not a beach destination.

Faro has a beach worth visiting. 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.

Florence is not a beach destination.

Is Faro or Florence Better for its Old Town?

Florence 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 Florence can be explored in its historical center. The historic center of the city is where you'll find many of the most beautiful buildings, art works, and quaint streets. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it was at the heart of the Renaissance period.

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 Faro or Florence?

Florence 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 Florence. There are many shops in the tourist heart of the city. Most are geared specifically to tourists so you may have to search to find a more authentic shopping experience. Famous items available in the city include gold jewelry, ceramics, leather, and perfume.

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 Faro or Florence More Beautiful?

Florence is a must-visit destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Faro is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Florence because of it's amazing beauty. The city's beautiful architecture and impressive gardens make it among the most beautiful cities in the world.

Faro is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Faro or Florence Better for Families?

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

Florence offers lots of family activities. Most famous for its art and history, the city also has a number of activities that kids will enjoy. There's a carousel and a park that are perfect to let the little ones run around. There are a few kid-friendly museums, as well as a historic city center that will mesmerize the old and young alike.

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 Faro or Florence Better for Couples?

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

Florence has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Art and history lovers will enjoy a visit to this truly beautiful city. Couples who enjoy museums, historic buildings, and world-renowned art, will find plenty to do in this city.

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 Faro or Florence Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Florence is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Florence. The city is part of a popular route through Italy, and you'll find many backpackers and students in town. There are also many hostels, so you should have no trouble meeting other young travelers.

Faro is a good resort town 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 Faro or Florence Better for Students?

Florence is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Faro is not popular with students.

Florence is a great destination for students. Many students visit this city as part of a short term study abroad program, or for the entire length of their studies. The city is beautiful, and whether your focus is art, history, or culture, this city will not disappoint.

Faro is not popular with students.

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

Faro and Florence both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Faro offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses that connect the city to the beach, the airport, and other outlying areas.

Florence has a few public transit options. The city has a comprehensive bus system.

Is Faro or Florence a more walkable city?

Florence 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.

Florence is a very easy city to get around on foot. Most people explore the city on foot and the striking beauty and and pedestrian-friendly areas make it a great place to wander. During peak seasons, the streets can get crowded.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Florence or Faro?

How long in Faro or Florence?

Both Faro and Florence have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Florence than in Faro. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Faro, and 2-7 days is enough time in Florence.

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

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

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

One day in Faro or Florence?

The resort town of Faro offers nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Florence. 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.

A weekend in Faro or Florence?

Faro is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this resort town makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Faro, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Florence 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.

Five days in Faro or Florence?

Faro is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Faro, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the alluring destination of Florence. This city 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.

A week in Faro or Florence?

Faro is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This resort town offers something for everyone.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical city of Florence. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Faro or Florence?

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

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 Faro or Florence in the Summer?

Both Florence and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Faro because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Florence this time of year.

In the summer, Faro is around the same temperature as Florence. Typically, the summer temperatures in Faro in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Florence averages at about 25°C (77°F).

It's quite sunny in Florence. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Florence during summer. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies, while Florence receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Faro usually receives less rain than Florence. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Florence receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Faro or Florence in the Autumn?

Both Florence and Faro during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Florence for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Faro is generally a little warmer than Florence. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 20°C (68°F), and Florence fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Faro. In the autumn, Faro often gets more sunshine than Florence. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Florence receives 177 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in October than Florence. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Florence receives 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Florence in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Florence. Many travelers come to Faro for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Florence in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Faro is much warmer than Florence in the winter. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Florence fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Faro usually receives more sunshine than Florence during winter. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Florence receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Faro usually receives more rain than Florence. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Florence receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Faro or Florence in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Faro as well as Florence. Many visitors come to Faro in the spring for the beaches. Additionally, most visitors come to Florence for the natural beauty during these months.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Faro this time of the year. In the spring, Faro often gets more sunshine than Florence. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Florence receives 192 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in April than Florence. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Florence receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Florence and Faro