A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Albufeira vs. Aix-en-Provence for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Albufeira or Aix-en-Provence?

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

Should I visit Albufeira or Aix-en-Provence? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Albufeira

Albufeira is a vibrant, touristy, and popular resort town. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include hiking, nightlife, and food.

Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is a laid-back, relaxing, and historic town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Albufeira and Aix-en-Provence: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Albufeira or Aix-en-Provence?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Albufeira. Although Albufeira and Aix-en-Provence are both popular with visitors, Albufeira has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Albufeira is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and big city activities, while Aix-en-Provence is known for its museums, food, and shopping. Albufeira is more touristy than Aix-en-Provence and is known for its golden beaches and limestone cliffs. It is also home to Praia da Falesia. Aix-en-Provence is popular for its Provençal cuisine made with local produce, its many art galleries, and its beautiful fountains and square.

How is Albufeira different from Aix-en-Provence?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Aix-en-Provence and Albufeira. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Albufeira or Aix-en-Provence?

Aix-en-Provence is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Albufeira does not have museums and landmarks.

Aix-en-Provence offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. In addition to its many squares and fountains, there is also Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur, Musée Granet, and Musée des Tapisseries.

Albufeira does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Albufeira or Aix-en-Provence? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Aix-en-Provence is a world-class destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Albufeira is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Aix-en-Provence is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The range of restaurants includes everything from modern and trendy to traditional and casual. The town is surrounded by a region that is known for its local produce. There are also many markets worth checking out in town.

Albufeira has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. As the largest resort town in the Algarve, the city also has the widest selection of restaurants. There are traditional options that serve up classic dishes like grilled sardines, as well as international restaurants with traveler favorites. As expected, you'll find a lot of seafood, but you'll also find inland influences from local farms in the area.

Is Albufeira or Aix-en-Provence Better for Nightlife?

Albufeira is terrific for its evening party scene. However, Aix-en-Provence is not particularly known for nightlife.

Albufeira is a must-see party destination. It's probably the most infamous party destination in the Algarve and it won't disappoint. During the peak summer months you'll find the streets around the popular "Strip" filled with tourists and party-goers. There are hen and stag parties, backpackers, and drunken travelers out for a good time. The Strip has become so popular that there are now bars and clubs on the adjacent streets as well. If you're not staying in the area, you'll likely want to take a taxi, as it's a couple kilometers outside of the town center.

Aix-en-Provence doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The nightlife scene that does exist is mostly influenced by the town's large student population.

Is Albufeira or Aix-en-Provence Better for Resorts?

Albufeira is terrific for its resorts. However, Aix-en-Provence is not a resort destination.

Albufeira offers an unforgettable resort vacation. As the largest resort town in the Algarve, you'll find a wide selection of hotels to choose from. Party-goers will want to stay near the Strip while families will prefer the old town or resorts in Olhos de Agua.

Aix-en-Provence is not a resort destination.

Is Albufeira or Aix-en-Provence Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Albufeira is well known for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Aix-en-Provence is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Albufeira to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. There are countless vendors who will take you by boat to explore the underwater world, either by snorkeling or scuba diving. The marine life is impressive and the water is generally clear.

Aix-en-Provence is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Albufeira or Aix-en-Provence Better for Beaches?

Albufeira is terrific for the beach. However, Aix-en-Provence is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Albufeira are among the best in the world. With their golden sands and blue waters, the beaches are world class. The area also has a diversity of beaches that are perfect for all types of vacationers. For water sports, head to Praia dos Alemaes but for relaxation and catching some rays check out Praia da Falesia. You'll find some interesting rock formations at Praia dos Olhos de Agua. One of the most convenient beaches to town is Praia dos Pescadores. For nightlife you'll want to head to Praia da Oura.

Aix-en-Provence is not a beach destination.

Is Albufeira or Aix-en-Provence Better for Hiking?

Albufeira is a nice place to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Aix-en-Provence is not a hiking destination.

Albufeira has hiking trails worth exploring. There are countless coastal walks that are perfect for all skill levels. Many offers stunning views along the rocky coast and pass through natural settings. Popular trails in the area include Praia Grande Interpretation Trail and Paderne Castle Trail.

Aix-en-Provence is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Albufeira or Aix-en-Provence?

Aix-en-Provence is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Albufeira is a resort town with minimal options for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Aix-en-Provence make it a world-class shopping destination. It has some of the best shopping in France outside of Paris. There are many shopping streets where you can pick up trendy fashions or boutique local finds. Head to Rue Marius Reynard, Les Allées Provençales, or Rue Clemenceau for some of the best shopping.

Albufeira has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. You'll find most of the shops are geared toward souvenirs or beach items, particularly near the beach and marina. If you look hard you might find some nice ceramics or items made of cork.

Is Albufeira or Aix-en-Provence Better for Families?

Albufeira is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Aix-en-Provence is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Albufeira. Despite it's reputation as a party-hard city, there are actually a lot of family-friendly activities in the area. Because it's the largest resort town in the Algarve, it also has the most activities to choose from, including theme parks, water parks, dolphin watching, ropes courses, go karting, and more. The best area's for families are in the old town or the most of the family-friendly resorts outside of town. Families should avoid staying near "the Strip."

For families, Aix-en-Provence is not always the best place to visit. Many kids enjoy checking out the town's many fountains or taking a bike for a ride outside of town.

Is Albufeira or Aix-en-Provence Better for Couples?

Albufeira is terrific for couples. Also, Aix-en-Provence is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Albufeira has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. For an active honeymoon or couple's retreat, this resort town has it all. Beautiful beaches, adventure-filled activities, a wild nightlife scene, and excellent resorts and restaurants all make for a memorable couple's getaway.

Aix-en-Provence is a great resort town if you're traveling as a couple. It's among the most charming towns in southern France and couples will enjoy the romantic buildings, beautiful fountains, and relaxing countryside. Whether you're on a honeymoon or a couple's getaway, this is a great town.

Is Albufeira or Aix-en-Provence Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Albufeira is terrific for backpackers. Also, Aix-en-Provence is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Albufeira is a very popular resort town to visit for backpackers. If you're looking for a party, then you found it. The area is a top pick for European holidays, so you'll find plenty of energy and activities around town. There are also golden beaches and a decent selection of hostels to choose from.

Aix-en-Provence is a good resort town to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels and cheap hotels that are good options for backpackers.

Is Albufeira or Aix-en-Provence Better for Students?

Aix-en-Provence is a great destination for students. However, Albufeira is not popular with students.

Aix-en-Provence is a very popular town for students and younger travelers. It's a university town with a lively but laid-back atmosphere. It's also a popular study abroad destination for American university students.

Albufeira is not popular with students.

Is Albufeira or Aix-en-Provence Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Aix-en-Provence is a popular place for its public transit. However, Albufeira is a resort town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Aix-en-Provence, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. For the places you can't reach on foot, there is a bus network.

Public transit is mostly limited in Albufeira. There are regional buses and even trains, but do take note that many of the train and bus stations are a good distance outside of town.

Is Albufeira or Aix-en-Provence a more walkable city?

Aix-en-Provence is a great destination for its high level of walkability. However, Albufeira is a resort town with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

Aix-en-Provence is a very walkable town. It's walkable, particularly in the heart of the city, so it's fun to explore on foot.

Albufeira is generally not a very walkable resort town. Most people prefer to hire a car, but if your hotel is near the beach and you're ok with walking to restaurants, then you may be able to get away without one. If you hope to travel into the countryside at all then a car is necessary.

For even more information, also check out Is Albufeira Worth Visiting? and Is Aix-en-Provence Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Aix-en-Provence or Albufeira?

How long in Albufeira or Aix-en-Provence?

It's fun to spend time in either Albufeira or Aix-en-Provence. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Albufeira due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Albufeira, and 2-4 days is enough time in Aix-en-Provence.

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

Couples should spend more time in Albufeira than Aix-en-Provence. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Albufeira that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Albufeira than Aix-en-Provence 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 Albufeira.

One day in Albufeira or Aix-en-Provence?

The vibrant destination of Albufeira offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Aix-en-Provence. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Albufeira or Aix-en-Provence?

The resort town of Albufeira offers scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find museums and food around the vibrant destination of Aix-en-Provence. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Albufeira or Aix-en-Provence?

Albufeira is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This resort town offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historic town of Aix-en-Provence. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Albufeira or Aix-en-Provence?

The party hard resort town of Albufeira offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. For many, it makes a great getaway for one week. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Aix-en-Provence is a popular choice for travelers. 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 will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in France, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Albufeira and Aix-en-Provence, we can see that Albufeira 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 Albufeira Expensive? and Is Aix-en-Provence Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Albufeira or Aix-en-Provence?

Aix-en-Provence has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Albufeira. When comparing the sizes of Albufeira and Aix-en-Provence, 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 Albufeira or Aix-en-Provence?

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 Albufeira or Aix-en-Provence in the Summer?

Both Aix-en-Provence and Albufeira are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Albufeira for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Aix-en-Provence in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Albufeira is around the same temperature as Aix-en-Provence. Typically, the summer temperatures in Albufeira in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Aix-en-Provence averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In July, Albufeira usually receives less rain than Aix-en-Provence. Albufeira gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Albufeira or Aix-en-Provence in the Autumn?

Both Aix-en-Provence and Albufeira during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Albufeira in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Aix-en-Provence for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Albufeira is generally a little warmer than Aix-en-Provence. Daily temperatures in Albufeira average around 19°C (67°F), and Aix-en-Provence fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Albufeira usually gets less rain in October than Aix-en-Provence. Albufeira gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Albufeira or Aix-en-Provence in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Albufeira and Aix-en-Provence. Most visitors come to Albufeira for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Aix-en-Provence because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Albufeira is much warmer than Aix-en-Provence in the winter. The daily temperature in Albufeira averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Aix-en-Provence fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In January, Albufeira usually receives more rain than Aix-en-Provence. Albufeira gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Albufeira or Aix-en-Provence in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Albufeira as well as Aix-en-Provence. The spring months attract visitors to Albufeira because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Additionally, the natural beauty are the main draw to Aix-en-Provence this time of year.

In the spring, Albufeira is a little warmer than Aix-en-Provence. Typically, the spring temperatures in Albufeira in April average around 15°C (60°F), and Aix-en-Provence averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Albufeira usually gets less rain in April than Aix-en-Provence. Albufeira gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Aix-en-Provence and Albufeira