A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Albufeira vs. Bilbao for Nightlife, Couples, Backpackers, and Families

Should you visit Albufeira or Bilbao?

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

Should I visit Albufeira or Bilbao? 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 food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Bilbao

Bilbao is a colorful, friendly, and industrial city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Albufeira and Bilbao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Albufeira or Bilbao?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Albufeira than Bilbao, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Albufeira is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Bilbao is more popular for its museums, historical sights, and shopping. Albufeira is more touristy than Bilbao and is known for its golden beaches and limestone cliffs. Also, Albufeira is famous for Praia da Falesia. Bilbao is well known for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks.

How is Albufeira different from Bilbao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bilbao is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Albufeira does not have museums and landmarks.

Bilbao offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. A favorite museum in town is the popular Guggenheim Museum. From its iconic building to the unique exhibits, this is a must-see stop during your visit. Other highlights around town include the Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, the Museo Vasco, as well as the city's unique bridges.

Albufeira does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Albufeira is well known for its restaurant scene. However, Bilbao is not a culinary destination.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Albufeira. 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.

Bilbao is not a culinary destination. The food scene is among the best in Spain. The city has several world renowned restaurants, including a few Michelin-starred restaurants, but there are also smaller eateries that cater to the locals and tourists alike. Make sure you try the pintxos, which are small dishes that are the Basque region's answer to tapas. Many include seafood and are cooked with olive oil and garlic.

Is Albufeira or Bilbao Better for Nightlife?

Albufeira is an amazing resort town to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Bilbao 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 Bilbao for the nightlife scene. There's a great late night scene that centers around eating and drinking. There are lively nightclubs, a good live music scene, and no shortage of people heading out on the town.

Is Albufeira or Bilbao Better for Resorts?

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

Vacationers flock to Albufeira for its luxury resorts. 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.

Bilbao is not a resort destination.

Is Albufeira or Bilbao Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Albufeira is well known for its diving and snorkeling. However, Bilbao is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Albufeira. 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.

Bilbao is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Albufeira or Bilbao Better for Beaches?

Albufeira is an amazing resort town to visit for the beache. However, Bilbao is not a beach destination.

Albufeira offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around 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.

Bilbao is not a beach destination.

Is Albufeira or Bilbao Better for its Old Town?

Bilbao is a popular place for its old town. However, Albufeira does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Bilbao to see the old town. The old town, often called Casco Viejo, is filled with historic architecture, great local bars, and some interesting shopping.

Albufeira does not have a historic old town.

Is Albufeira or Bilbao Better for Hiking?

Albufeira is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Bilbao is not a hiking destination.

Albufeira offers some nice hiking trails. 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.

Bilbao is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Albufeira or Bilbao?

Bilbao is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Albufeira is a resort town with minimal options for its shopping areas.

Bilbao is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.

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 Bilbao Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Albufeira or Bilbao.

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."

Bilbao offers lots of family activities. The city offers some great museums such as the Guggenheim Museum. Families will also enjoy taking a ride of the Artxander Funicular, and exploring Mercado de la Ribera. You can also enjoy walking around Park Abandoibarra and exploring the creative sculptures.

Is Albufeira or Bilbao Better for Couples?

Albufeira is an amazing resort town to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Albufeira is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Bilbao is a good resort town for couples to visit. The city is filled with a vibrant enjoy with parks and outdoor strolls that couples will enjoy. There are also many great museums and romantic restaurants as well as some great shopping streets.

Is Albufeira or Bilbao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Albufeira is an amazing resort town to visit for backpackers. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bilbao. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and a good social scene that makes it easy to meet other backpackers.

Is Albufeira or Bilbao Better for Students?

Bilbao is a popular place for students. However, Albufeira is not popular with students.

Bilbao is popular with students. This is a popular study abroad destination with many great museums and educational opportunities for international students.

Albufeira is not popular with students.

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

Bilbao is a great destination for its public transit. However, Albufeira is a resort town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Bilbao can get you around easily. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

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 Bilbao a more walkable city?

Bilbao is a popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Albufeira is a resort town with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

Bilbao is a somewhat walkable place. It's a fairly walkable city with several pedestrian-friendly areas.

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 Bilbao Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bilbao or Albufeira?

How long in Albufeira or Bilbao?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Albufeira and Bilbao. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Albufeira than in Bilbao. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Albufeira, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bilbao.

Families should spend more time in Albufeira than Bilbao. 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 Bilbao. 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 Bilbao 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 Bilbao?

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 shopping and museums around the city of Bilbao. 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 Bilbao?

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 museums and nightlife around the industrial destination of Bilbao. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Albufeira or Bilbao?

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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the colorful city of Bilbao. 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 Bilbao?

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.

Bilbao 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, The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid.

When comparing the travel costs between Albufeira and Bilbao, 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 Bilbao Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Albufeira or Bilbao?

Bilbao has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Albufeira. When comparing the sizes of Albufeira and Bilbao, 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 Bilbao?

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 Bilbao in the Summer?

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

Albufeira is a little warmer than Bilbao in the summer. The daily temperature in Albufeira averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Bilbao fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In July, Albufeira usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Albufeira gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Albufeira or Bilbao in the Autumn?

Both Bilbao and Albufeira during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Albufeira because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year.

In the autumn, Albufeira is a little warmer than Bilbao. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Albufeira in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Bilbao averages at about 16°C (62°F).

Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Albufeira usually gets less rain in October than Bilbao. Albufeira gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Albufeira or Bilbao in the Winter?

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

In January, Albufeira is generally a little warmer than Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Albufeira average around 11°C (52°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Albufeira usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Albufeira gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Albufeira or Bilbao in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Albufeira as well as Bilbao. Many travelers come to Albufeira for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Bilbao in the spring for the activities around the city.

Albufeira is a little warmer than Bilbao in the spring. The daily temperature in Albufeira averages around 15°C (60°F) in April, and Bilbao fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

It's quite rainy in Bilbao. Albufeira usually gets less rain in April than Bilbao. Albufeira gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bilbao and Albufeira