A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Albufeira vs. Amalfi for Food, Nightlife, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Albufeira or Amalfi?

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

Should I visit Albufeira or Amalfi? 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 popular, activity-filled, and high energy resort town. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Amalfi

Amalfi is a charming, picturesque, and stunning town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Albufeira and Amalfi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Albufeira or Amalfi?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Amalfi than Albufeira, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Amalfi is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Albufeira is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and big city activities. Albufeira is well known for its golden beaches and limestone cliffs. Amalfi is well known for its dramatic views, charming character, and excellent limoncello. Also, Amalfi is famous for the dramatic coastline.

How is Albufeira different from Amalfi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Amalfi 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 Amalfi?

Amalfi is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Albufeira does not have museums and landmarks.

Amalfi offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The town is an attraction in and off itself. It's filled with charm and character and visitors spend much of their time simply walking around and soaking up the atmosphere.

Albufeira does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Albufeira or Amalfi? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Amalfi 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, Amalfi is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The town's access to the beautiful sea means that many dishes use a variety of seafood. Eggplant is also a common ingredient and you'll find everything from pastas to elegant desserts around 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 Amalfi Better for Nightlife?

Albufeira is an amazing resort town to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Albufeira has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Many people head to Amalfi for the nightlife scene. There's a good number of bars and clubs in town that often have live music or DJs. Alternatively, there are also clubs that dot the entire coastline.

Is Albufeira or Amalfi Better for Resorts?

Albufeira is an amazing resort town to visit for its resorts. However, Amalfi is not a resort destination.

Albufeira is a world class resort vacation destination. 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.

Amalfi is not a resort destination.

Is Albufeira or Amalfi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Albufeira is well known for its diving and snorkeling. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for snorkeling and scuba diving.

Albufeira is an extremely popular place to visit for 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.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Amalfi. You'll find snorkeling trips that take you along the coastline and stop at several places so you can take a peak at the underwater world.

Is Albufeira or Amalfi Better for Beaches?

Albufeira is an amazing resort town to visit for the beache. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beach.

Albufeira is considered to be a world-class beach destination. 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.

Amalfi offers a nice beach destination. The beaches tend to be pebbly and rocky. During the summer months they can get very crowded, but taking a swim is a great way to escape the heat for a bit.

Is Albufeira or Amalfi Better for its Old Town?

Amalfi is a great destination for its old town. However, Albufeira does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Amalfi. The town is charming and filled with great shops and restaurants. It's the perfect place to soak up the atmosphere of the Amalfi Coast.

Albufeira does not have a historic old town.

Is Albufeira or Amalfi Better for Hiking?

Amalfi is a great destination for its hiking experiences. Also, Albufeira is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Amalfi. The coastline is filled with great trails that offer stunning views. Hiking is a top way to see the natural beauty of the Amalfi Coast and catch a glimpse at some of the best beaches.

Many people include a hike when visiting Albufeira. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Albufeira or Amalfi?

Amalfi is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Albufeira is a resort town with minimal options for its shopping areas.

Amalfi offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find many great shops that sell everything from clothing to fine wine, local foods, or limoncello.

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 Amalfi Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Albufeira or Amalfi.

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."

Amalfi offers lots of family activities. The town is positioned in the middle of the Amalfi Coast, making it a great base for exploring the area. It's also one of the larger towns so you'll find more energy and things to do with kids, including the Museum of Paper.

Is Albufeira or Amalfi Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Albufeira and Amalfi make for a terrific place to visit.

Albufeira makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

For those traveling as a couple, Amalfi has plenty to offer. The Amalfi Coast is a world class honeymoon destination and couples will enjoy staying in the lively town of Amalfi. It's a quaint and beautiful town in the middle of everything, so you'll have access to all that the area has to offer.

Is Albufeira or Amalfi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Albufeira is an amazing resort town to visit for backpackers. However, Amalfi is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Albufeira. 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.

Amalfi is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The area has a couple of hostels around, but in general this is a difficult place to visit as a backpacker. There are SITA buses that offer transportation, and because the town is in the middle of the coastline, it offers decent access to everything.

Is Albufeira or Amalfi Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Amalfi 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 Amalfi, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The SITA buses offer transit between many of the towns along the Amalfi Coast.

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 Amalfi a more walkable city?

Amalfi is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. However, Albufeira is a resort town with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Amalfi on foot is easy. It's a compact and charming town that is a bit flatter than some nearby villages so it's easy 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 Amalfi Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Amalfi or Albufeira?

How long in Albufeira or Amalfi?

Both Albufeira and Amalfi have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Amalfi has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Amalfi than Albufeira. In general, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Albufeira, and 2-7 days is enough time in Amalfi.

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

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

One day in Albufeira or Amalfi?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Albufeira. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find nightlife and food around the town of Amalfi. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Amalfi?

Albufeira is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the dramatic destination of Amalfi. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Amalfi?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Albufeira. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the stunning town of Amalfi. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this town makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer.

A week in Albufeira or Amalfi?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the high energy destination of Albufeira. This resort town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Amalfi is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Amalfi, one week is sufficent for most. 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, The Best 2-Week Tours from Rome, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Albufeira or Amalfi?

Albufeira has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Amalfi. When comparing the sizes of Albufeira and Amalfi, 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 Amalfi?

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 Amalfi in the Summer?

Both Amalfi and Albufeira are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Albufeira in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Amalfi for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Albufeira is around the same temperature as Amalfi in the summer. The daily temperature in Albufeira averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Amalfi fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

In July, Albufeira usually receives less rain than Amalfi. Albufeira gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Albufeira or Amalfi in the Autumn?

Both Amalfi and Albufeira during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Albufeira for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Amalfi because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Albufeira is a little warmer than Amalfi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Albufeira in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Amalfi averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Amalfi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Albufeira usually gets less rain in October than Amalfi. Albufeira gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Albufeira or Amalfi in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Albufeira and Amalfi. The winter months attract visitors to Albufeira because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Amalfi this time of year.

In January, Albufeira is generally a little warmer than Amalfi. Daily temperatures in Albufeira average around 11°C (52°F), and Amalfi fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Amalfi receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Albufeira usually receives less rain than Amalfi. Albufeira gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Albufeira or Amalfi in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Albufeira as well as Amalfi. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Albufeira this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Amalfi for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Albufeira is a little warmer than Amalfi in the spring. The daily temperature in Albufeira averages around 15°C (60°F) in April, and Amalfi fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Albufeira usually gets less rain in April than Amalfi. Albufeira gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Amalfi and Albufeira