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

Should you visit Tartu 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 Tartu 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.

Tartu

Tartu is a student-oriented, cultural, and historical university town. Tartu is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include nightlife. See Tartu travel costs.

Faro

Faro is a active, popular, and busy resort town. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Faro travel costs.

Tartu and Faro: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tartu or Faro?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Faro than Tartu, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Faro is better known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Tartu is more popular for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Faro is more touristy than Tartu and is known for its historical sights and rich culture. Also, Faro is famous for The Arco da Vila. Tartu is well known for its vibrant student population and long running university.

How is Tartu different from Faro?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Tartu and Faro can be difficult as they are each respectable in their own way.

Tartu may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The restaurant scene is surprisingly limited because of the large student population. Most students prefer saving their money for a night out drinking over a quiet meal at a restaurant. There are some cafes around town as well as pastry shops and a few good ethnic restaurants to choose between.

Faro offers some easy restaurants to choose from. 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 Tartu or Faro Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find high quality options in both Tartu and Faro.

The nightlife in Tartu has something for everybody. With its huge student population, there is plenty of activity year round. The nightlife scene includes many bars, dance clubs, and pubs that are popular with students and visitors alike. You'll find large parties and music festivals throughout the year that bring crowds to the city.

Faro offers plenty to do in the evening. The city's bustling party scene thrives along Rua de São Pedro, Rua Conselheiro Bívar, and Rua do Prior.

Is Tartu or Faro Better for Resorts?

Faro is an amazing resort town to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Tartu 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.

Tartu is not a resort destination.

Is Tartu or Faro Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a resort town with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Tartu 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.

Tartu is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tartu or Faro Better for Beaches?

Faro is a resort town with good options for the beach. However, Tartu 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.

Tartu is not a beach destination.

Is Tartu or Faro Better for its Old Town?

Tartu 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 Tartu to see the historical old town. The old town is where you'll find one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe. There is also Town Hall Square and St. John’s Quarter with many historic buildings and beautiful architecture.

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 Tartu or Faro?

Faro is a resort town with good options for its shopping areas. However, Tartu is not known for shopping.

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.

Tartu is a good destination for shopping. While most people don't visit to go shopping, there is an active art scene in town so you can find some creative pieces that are worth checking out.

Is Tartu or Faro More Beautiful?

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

Tartu is a gorgeous place to visit. It's a beautiful city with a long history and a number of unique historical buildings.

Faro is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Tartu or Faro Better for Families?

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

Tartu offers lots of family activities. Many of the kid-friendly activities are outdoors, so summer visits are better if you're traveling with children. There are adventure parks, animal parks, and educational museums that you can choose from.

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 Tartu or Faro Better for Couples?

Faro is a resort town with good options for couples. However, Tartu is not known for romance.

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

Tartu is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has a young population, so you'll find many activities center around a more youthful vibe. There are some great museums that couples will enjoy, as well as a lively nightlife scene. Outside of old town, couples will enjoy wandering through the Karlova and Supilinn districts.

Is Tartu or Faro Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Tartu is very popular with the backpacker crowd. With it's young population and budget friendly entertainment options, there are many things that backpackers will enjoy. It's not nearly as popular with backpackers as some other cities, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have a lot to offer.

Faro is a good university 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 Tartu or Faro Better for Students?

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

Tartu is a great destination for students. It is a university town and home to one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe. The student population is large here, with many activities, museums, and nightlife options to choose from. There always seems to be something going on in this vibrant city.

Faro is not popular with students.

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

Tartu and Faro both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Tartu offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a comprehensive bus system around the town.

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

Is Tartu or Faro a more walkable city?

Tartu is great for its walkability. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its high level of walkability.

Tartu is very walkable. The city is compact with most of its sights and restaurants close together along a couple of streets.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Faro or Tartu?

How long in Tartu or Faro?

In either Tartu or Faro, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Faro than Tartu because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Tartu, and 2-5 days is enough time in Faro.

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

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

One day in Tartu or Faro?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife when visiting the destination of Tartu. 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, many people enjoy the nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling that this active destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This resort town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Tartu or Faro?

Tartu 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Faro. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Tartu or Faro?

You'll find nightlife around the historical destination of Tartu. This university town 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 fun place to experience. In Faro, many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Tartu or Faro?

The intellectual university town of Tartu offers nightlife. 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.

You'll find nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling around the active destination of Faro. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Estonia, The Best Budget Tours to Estonia, 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 Tartu and Faro, we can see that Faro is more expensive. And not only is Tartu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tartu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tartu 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 Tartu.

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

Which is Bigger, Tartu or Faro?

Tartu has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Tartu 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 Tartu 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 Tartu or Faro in the Summer?

Both Faro and Tartu are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Tartu for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Faro because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Tartu is much colder than Faro. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tartu in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Faro averages at about 25°C (78°F).

It's quite sunny in Faro. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tartu. Tartu usually receives less sunshine than Faro during summer. Tartu gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Faro receives 374 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Tartu usually receives more rain than Faro. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Faro receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tartu or Faro in the Autumn?

Both Faro and Tartu during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Tartu because of 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, Tartu is generally much colder than Faro. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around 6°C (43°F), and Faro fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Tartu often gets less sunshine than Faro. Tartu gets 86 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Faro receives 222 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in October than Faro. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Faro receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tartu or Faro in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tartu and Faro. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Tartu this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Faro for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Tartu in the winter. Tartu is much colder than Faro in the winter. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around -7°C (19°F) in January, and Faro fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Tartu usually receives less sunshine than Faro during winter. Tartu gets 36 hours of sunny skies, while Faro receives 161 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tartu usually receives less rain than Faro. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Faro receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tartu or Faro in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Faro. Many travelers come to Tartu for the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Faro in the spring for the beaches.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Tartu. In the spring, Tartu is much colder than Faro. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tartu in April average around 5°C (41°F), and Faro averages at about 17°C (62°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. In the spring, Tartu often gets less sunshine than Faro. Tartu gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Faro receives 248 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in April than Faro. Tartu gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Faro receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Faro and Tartu