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

Should you visit Faro or Interlaken?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Faro or Interlaken, 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 popular, busy, and active resort town. Other reasons to visit include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. See Faro travel costs.

Interlaken

Interlaken is a world-class, stunning, and adventurous town. Many visitors also come to Interlaken because of it's amazing beauty. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include hiking, skiing, and nightlife. See Interlaken travel costs.

Faro and Interlaken: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Interlaken?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Faro. Although Faro and Interlaken are both popular with visitors, Faro has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Faro is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and shopping, while Interlaken is known for its skiing, food, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Interlaken is more touristy than Faro and is known for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. Faro is popular for its historical sights and rich culture. It is also home to The Arco da Vila.

How is Faro different from Interlaken?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Faro or Interlaken Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a nice place to visit for skiing. However, Faro is not a skiing destination.

Interlaken is a great destination for skiing with plenty areas to explore. While the city itself has no skiing, there is access to several ski areas in Jungfrau. There are several different resorts in the area near Grindelwald, Wengen, and Mürren. You'll need to take a train or ski bus to get most places.

Faro is not a skiing destination.

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

Interlaken 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 Interlaken. Restaurants in the area serve local classics like fondue, local meats, cheeses, and chocolate. You can finish your meal off with strudel or head to a local bakery and try their samplings. Meals are expensive but the quality is good. You should also out into the countryside and enjoy a meal looking out over the mountains.

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 Interlaken Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is excellent in both Faro and Interlaken.

Many people head to Faro for the nightlife scene. The city's bustling party scene thrives along Rua de São Pedro, Rua Conselheiro Bívar, and Rua do Prior.

Interlaken has plenty to do after the sun goes down. There are tons of pubs and bars around town. This is the best way to meet locals and makes for a fun night out on the town. The atmosphere is generally laid back and relaxed, which matches the mellow vibe of the town.

Is Faro or Interlaken Better for Resorts?

Faro is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Interlaken is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Faro is a perfect choice. Popular resorts include Vila Vita Parc Resort and Spa, Conrad Algarve, and Tivoli Carvoeiro.

Interlaken is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Interlaken Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is very good for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Interlaken is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving 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.

Interlaken is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Interlaken Better for Beaches?

Faro is very good for its beaches. However, Interlaken is not a beach destination.

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.

Interlaken is not a beach destination.

Is Faro or Interlaken Better for its Old Town?

Faro is very good for its historic old town. However, Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

Faro is a good destination for visiting its 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.

Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

Is Faro or Interlaken Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is a must-visit destination for hiking. However, Faro is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Interlaken draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. Hikes in the area range from easy to challenging with every option in between. You can experience beautiful waterfalls, breathtaking views, and dramatic ridge hikes. Several of the best hikes in the area include Schynige Platte Ridge Trail, Mt Niesen Panorama Trail, and Giessbach Waterfalls.

Faro is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Faro or Interlaken?

Faro is very good for shopping. However, Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Faro. 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.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Faro or Interlaken More Beautiful?

Interlaken 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 Interlaken because of it's amazing beauty. While the city itself has a lot of charm and character, it's really about exploring the surrounding countryside. There are world class hikes, stunning vistas, and adrenaline-filled adventure sports that you shouldn't miss.

Faro is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Faro or Interlaken Better for Families?

Interlaken is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. However, Faro is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Interlaken is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. While the city is beautiful, it's really the surrounding areas that you and your family will enjoy. There are amazing hikes, stunning views, playgrounds, lakes, and more. There's also an impressive ropes course that adventurous kids will love, funiculars, gondolas, and so many water sports!

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 Interlaken Better for Couples?

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

Interlaken has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The mountaintop views, breathtaking hikes, and beautiful lakes make this a top destination for couples. Make sure you head out of town and fully immerse yourself in everything that the area has to offer. Kayaking, canoeing, paragliding, and more will make this a trip of a lifetime.

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 Interlaken Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Faro and Interlaken are good places to visit.

It's common for backpackers to visit Faro. The are some good hostels in the area, but it's a bit tricky to get around without a car.

Interlaken is a good resort town to visit for backpackers. It's a world class destination with so many activities that backpackers will love, but it's also one of the most expensive areas in one of the most expensive countries. There are hostels in town as well as a few in the nearby towns and countryside, but prices are steep. Cook when you can and enjoy all of the free activities that the area has to offer.

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

Interlaken 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 Interlaken is fairly effecient and thorough. Buses travel around town, but to get into the mountains there are trains, cog railways, funiculars, and gondolas.

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

Is Faro or Interlaken a more walkable city?

Faro and Interlaken are good when it comes to walkability.

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

Interlaken is a somewhat walkable place. The old town is relatively walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Interlaken or Faro?

How long in Faro or Interlaken?

In either Faro or Interlaken, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Interlaken has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Interlaken than Faro. However, 2-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

One day in Faro or Interlaken?

With shopping and nightlife around the busy resort town of Faro, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the food and skiing when visiting the destination of Interlaken. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Interlaken?

With nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling around the destination of Faro, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this resort town.

Interlaken is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the hiking. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Interlaken?

Faro, a popular resort town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this resort town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the world-class destination of Interlaken. This town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Interlaken?

Faro is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The stunning town of Interlaken offers food and skiing. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Geneva, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Zurich.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Faro and Interlaken, we can see that Interlaken is more expensive. And not only is Faro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Faro would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Faro 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 Interlaken would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Interlaken than you might in Faro.

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

Which is Bigger, Faro or Interlaken?

Faro has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Faro and Interlaken, 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 Interlaken?

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 Interlaken in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Interlaken. Most visitors come to Faro for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Faro is a little warmer than Interlaken in the summer. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Interlaken fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Interlaken this time of the year. In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Interlaken during summer. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Faro usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Faro or Interlaken in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Faro as well as Interlaken. The autumn months attract visitors to Faro because of the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year.

In the autumn, Faro is much warmer than Interlaken. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Faro in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Interlaken averages at about 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Faro this time of the year. In the autumn, Faro often gets more sunshine than Interlaken. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 120 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Interlaken. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Interlaken in the Winter?

Both Interlaken and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Interlaken for the skiing and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Interlaken. In January, Faro is generally much warmer than Interlaken. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 12°C (54°F), and Interlaken fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Faro usually receives more sunshine than Interlaken during winter. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Faro usually receives around the same amount of rain as Interlaken. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Faro or Interlaken in the Spring?

Both Interlaken and Faro during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Faro for the beaches. Furthermore, many visitors come to Interlaken in the spring for the natural beauty.

Faro is a little warmer than Interlaken in the spring. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Interlaken fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

It's quite sunny in Faro. In the spring, Faro often gets more sunshine than Interlaken. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 150 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in April than Interlaken. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Interlaken and Faro