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

Should you visit Albufeira or Como?

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

Should I visit Albufeira or Como? 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 activity-filled, high energy, and party hard 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. It's also popular because of the hiking, nightlife, and food.

Como

Como is a fun, vibrant, and scenic lake area. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Albufeira and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Albufeira or Como?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Albufeira. Although Albufeira and Como 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, and big city activities, while Como is known for its museums, food, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. Albufeira is popular for its golden beaches and limestone cliffs. It is also home to Praia da Falesia. Como is popular for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers.

How is Albufeira different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Como is a lake area with a few options for its museums and landmarks. However, Albufeira does not have museums and landmarks.

Como offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people visit for the lakeside setting, but there's history throughout, with notable buildings including the Duomo, Museo Civico, and Basilica di Sant'Abbondio.

Albufeira does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Como 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, Como is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The area has its own style of Italian food. Polenta is one of the most popular dishes and it's usually served with meat, fish, or cheese. You can also enjoy several different types of fish such as misultitt (dried fish), salmon trout, pike, bleak, lavarello, and perch.

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 Como Better for Nightlife?

Albufeira is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

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.

Como has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. It is more known for its glamour and sophistication than its raging party scene. There are fine dining restaurants where you can sip wine and enjoy the view. There are also theaters and jazz clubs that offer a relaxing vibe and a nice night out.

Is Albufeira or Como Better for Resorts?

Albufeira is renowned for its luxury resorts. However, Como 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.

Como is not a resort destination.

Is Albufeira or Como Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Albufeira is an excellent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Como 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.

Como is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Albufeira or Como Better for Beaches?

Albufeira is renowned for the beach. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Como. You'll find lakeside beaches where you can relax, sunbath, or swim. Many are affiliated with clubs and the atmosphere is often trendy and upscale. Don't expect a secluded and natural setting, but there are often nice restaurants nearby.

Is Albufeira or Como Better for Hiking?

Como 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 Como. There's a wide variety of hiking trails in the area that take you through the mountains or along the water's edge. One of the most popular trails is the Greenway del Lago di Como.

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 Como?

Como 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 Como make it a world-class shopping destination. The shopping is comparable to major cities, with everything from high end boutiques to outlets and local markets. There are clothing shops, jewelry stores, and places to pick up local souvenirs. Shopping is a favorite activity for many visitors to Lake Como.

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 Como Better for Families?

Como is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Albufeira is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Como is a very kid-friendly lake area. It has parks and gardens to explore, as well as Vezio Castle and many nice walking trails. A highlight for many kids is a visit to Lake Como Adventure Park.

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."

Is Albufeira or Como Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Albufeira and Como make for a fantastic 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, Como has plenty to offer. Its beautiful walks, charming towns, and surrounding natural setting make this a great honeymoon and couple's getaway destination. Dine on Italian cuisine as you sip wine and look out on the pristine waters of Lake Como.

Is Albufeira or Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Albufeira is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Albufeira, as it is a very popular resort town for 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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Como. It's a popular destination with all types of travelers, so you'll find a decent selection of hostels to choose from, and a number of other backpackers around to hang out with.

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

Como 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 Como, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses, ferries, and a funicular that travel to different towns around the lake.

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 Como a more walkable city?

Como 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.

Como is a very walkable lake area. The entire area is very walkable and you'll enjoy many great views during your stroll.

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 Como Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Como or Albufeira?

How long in Albufeira or Como?

It's fun to spend time in either Albufeira or Como. 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 Como.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Albufeira than Como 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 Como?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting the destination of Albufeira. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the lake area of Como. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Como?

Albufeira is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the fun destination of Como. 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 lake area has to offer. This lake area offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Albufeira or Como?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the party hard destination of Albufeira. This resort town offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the trendy lake area of Como. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Albufeira or Como?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting the party hard resort town of Albufeira. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Como is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rome, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Rome.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Albufeira and Como, we can see that Como 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 Como would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Como 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 Como Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Albufeira or Como?

Como has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Albufeira. When comparing the sizes of Albufeira and Como, 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 Como?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Albufeira or Como in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Albufeira as well as Como. Many travelers come to Albufeira for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Como in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Albufeira is around the same temperature as Como. Typically, the summer temperatures in Albufeira in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Como averages at about 23°C (73°F).

Albufeira usually gets less rain in July than Como. Albufeira gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Albufeira or Como in the Autumn?

Both Como and Albufeira are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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. Also, most visitors come to Como for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Albufeira is generally a little warmer than Como. Daily temperatures in Albufeira average around 19°C (67°F), and Como fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Como. In October, Albufeira usually receives less rain than Como. Albufeira gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Albufeira or Como in the Winter?

Both Como and Albufeira during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Albufeira for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Como because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Como can be very cold. Albufeira is much warmer than Como in the winter. The daily temperature in Albufeira averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Como fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Albufeira usually gets more rain in January than Como. Albufeira gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Albufeira or Como in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Albufeira and Como. The spring months attract visitors to Albufeira because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Como this time of year.

In the spring, Albufeira is a little warmer than Como. Typically, the spring temperatures in Albufeira in April average around 15°C (60°F), and Como averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In April, Albufeira usually receives less rain than Como. Albufeira gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Como and Albufeira