Which place is cheaper, Brussels or Albufeira?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Albufeira or Brussels? 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 is a high energy, party hard, and vibrant resort town. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.
Brussels is a cosmopolitan, authentic, and colorful city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Brussels. Although Albufeira and Brussels are popular destinations, Brussels has more sights and attractions for tourists. Brussels is very popular for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Albufeira attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Albufeira is more touristy than Brussels and is known for its golden beaches and limestone cliffs. Brussels is famous for its beautiful architecture, grand squares, diverse population, and delicious waffles. It is also well known for La Grand Place (Grote Markt).
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Brussels and Albufeira. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Brussels is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Albufeira does not have museums and landmarks.
Brussels offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Popular sights include Saint-Michel Cathedral, Place Royale, and the Belgian Royal Museum of Fine Arts. The city is filled with impressive architecture, fascinating art museums, and innovative science and technology museums.
Albufeira does not have museums and landmarks.
Foodies will find both Albufeira and Brussels both to be superb destinations.
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.
Brussels has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. While the city is most known for its waffles and fries, the diversity of dishes and international restaurant selection continues to grow. There are Lebanese, Japanese, and Indian restaurants among others. Popular local dishes include moules-frites, waterzooi (a stew), and stoemp (made with mashed potatoes and vegetables).
Albufeira is renowned for nightlife. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.
Albufeira is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.
If you're looking for night time activities Brussels has a few options to choose from. The city's nightlife is quieter and more mellow than some other major cities around Europe. That doesn't mean there aren't plenty of dance clubs and bars where you can hang out. Keep your wits about you after the sun goes down as some areas are a bit rougher than others.
Albufeira is renowned for its resorts. However, Brussels 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.
Brussels is not a resort destination.
Albufeira is well known for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Brussels 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.
Brussels is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Albufeira is renowned for its beaches. However, Brussels 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.
Brussels is not a beach destination.
Brussels 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 Brussels. The old town in the city center is where you'll find the greatest concentration of historic sights. The area is surrounded by tree-lined boulevards and is easy to explore.
Albufeira does not have a historic old town.
Albufeira is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Brussels 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.
Brussels is not a hiking destination.
Brussels 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 Brussels make it a world-class shopping destination. Although it's famous for diamonds, the city also has many shopping streets where you can find designer brands, vintage shops, and other unique boutiques that are fun to explore.
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.
Brussels is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Albufeira is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.
Brussels is a very kid-friendly city. The city has a number of unique kid-friendly activities including a Mini-Europe Museum, a Comic Strip Museum, and Train World. The city is also a chocolate lover's dream with many factories and chocolate shops around town.
Albufeira offers lots of family activities. 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."
Albufeira is renowned for romance. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.
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.
Brussels is a great resort town if you're traveling as a couple. From beautiful buildings and museums to shopping, dining, and chocolate shops, there are plenty of romantic spots around town. There's a vibrant nightlife scene and many diverse restaurants that couples can enjoy exploring.
Albufeira is renowned for backpackers. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.
Albufeira is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.
Many backpackers visit Brussels. The city has an active nightlife and a number of hostels that are great for backpackers, but do take note that some areas can get a bit rough at night, so make sure you understand where you are.
Brussels is a great destination for students. However, Albufeira is not popular with students.
Brussels is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has a number of universities that attract students from around the world. The multicultural setting is great for students of the world.
Albufeira is not popular with students.
Brussels is a world-class destination for its public transit. However, Albufeira is a resort town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.
With a huge network, the transit system in Brussels can get you around easily. Transit options include train, tram, metro, bus, and waterbuses.
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.
Brussels 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.
Brussels is a very walkable city. If you stay in the historical area, it's easy to walk around and many boulevards are being converted to pedestrian 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 Brussels Worth Visiting?.
In either Albufeira or Brussels, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Albufeira than Brussels because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Albufeira, and 1-5 days is enough time in Brussels.
Families should spend more time in Brussels than Albufeira. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Brussels, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Albufeira than Brussels. 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 Brussels 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.
The beautiful resort town of Albufeira offers nightlife and food. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
People visit Brussels because there is so much to do. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Brussels has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Albufeira is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
People visit Brussels because there is so much to do. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.
Albufeira is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Albufeira, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
People visit Brussels because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the shopping. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.
Albufeira is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Albufeira has to offer. This resort town offers something for everyone.
Brussels is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Albufeira is €148, while the average daily cost in Brussels is €137. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Albufeira and Brussels in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Albufeira or Brussels? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Albufeira:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Brussels are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Brussels:
Prices for flights to both Brussels and Albufeira change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Albufeira.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Brussels:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Brussels.
Here are a few actual costs in Albufeira for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few actual costs in Brussels for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also in Albufeira, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Brussels are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Brussels:
When comparing the travel costs between Albufeira and Brussels, 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 Brussels Expensive?.
Brussels has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Albufeira. When comparing the sizes of Albufeira and Brussels, 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.
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.
Both Brussels 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 Brussels because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Albufeira is generally a little warmer than Brussels. Daily temperatures in Albufeira average around 25°C (78°F), and Brussels fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).
In July, Albufeira usually receives less rain than Brussels. Albufeira gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Brussels 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 Brussels this time of year.
Albufeira is much warmer than Brussels in the autumn. The daily temperature in Albufeira averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Brussels fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
Albufeira usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Brussels. Albufeira gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Albufeira and Brussels. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Albufeira this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Brussels for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Brussels. In the winter, Albufeira is much warmer than Brussels. Typically, the winter temperatures in Albufeira in January average around 11°C (52°F), and Brussels averages at about 3°C (38°F).
In January, Albufeira usually receives more rain than Brussels. Albufeira gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Albufeira as well as Brussels. Many travelers come to Albufeira for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Brussels in the spring for the activities around the city.
In April, Albufeira is generally much warmer than Brussels. Daily temperatures in Albufeira average around 15°C (60°F), and Brussels fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
Albufeira usually gets less rain in April than Brussels. Albufeira gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Albufeira | Brussels | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 11°C (52°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
Feb | 12°C (54°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
Mar | 14°C (56°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
May | 19°C (65°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
Jul | 25°C (78°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
Aug | 26°C (78°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
Nov | 15°C (58°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |