Which place is cheaper, Ezcaray or Albufeira?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Albufeira or Ezcaray?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Albufeira or Ezcaray? 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.
Where Should I go: Albufeira or Ezcaray?
Albufeira
Located in the Algarve region in the south of Portugal, Albufeira was once a small fishing village which has since evolved into a popular destination for tourists attracted by the area's beaches, pleasant climate, and fresh seafood.
Ezcaray
Ezcaray, Spain is a great place to go if you are looking for a scenic, relaxing, and peaceful destination. It is located in the Sierra de la Demanda mountains on the banks of the Oja river. Because of the mountain range nearby, it is also a great place for mountaineers. Ezcaray is a small town with big charm and momentous possibilities. It is located right at the base of the San Lorenzo peak in the Oja valley in the La Rioja region of Spain. The town has a population of less than 2,000, so it is a far cry from big city life, but that's part of what makes it such a gem to visit. Some say it is one of the best locations to get an authentic feel of real Spain without the big touristy populations. Its sheer beauty has also been compared to something out of a fairy tale.
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 Luxury Tours to Spain, and The Best Budget Tours to Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAlbufeira €148Ezcaray €111
The average daily cost (per person) in Albufeira is €148, while the average daily cost in Ezcaray is €111. 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 Ezcaray in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAlbufeira €74Ezcaray €56
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAlbufeira €148Ezcaray €112
Compare Hotels in Albufeira and Ezcaray
Looking for a hotel in Albufeira or Ezcaray? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Albufeira Hotel Prices and Ezcaray Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Albufeira €34Ezcaray €21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Albufeira
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Albufeira:
- Transfer Vilamoura - Benamor Golf (Conceição): $79
- Transfer Vilamoura - Alto Golf Pestana (Alvor): $71
- Transfer Vilamoura - Alamos Golf (Portimão): $71
- Transfer Vila Real de Santo Antonio - Alto Golf Pestana (Alvor): $164
- Transfer Vila Nova de Cacela - Benamor Golf (Conceição): $64
- Transfer Vila Nova de Cacela - Balaia Golf (Albufeira): $140
- Transfer Vila Nova de Cacela - Alto Golf Pestana (Alvor): $151
- Transfer Tavira - Benamor Golf (Conceição): $47
- Transfer Silves - Balaia Golf (Albufeira): $41
- Transfer Silves - Alamos Golf (Portimão): $55
- Transfer Quarteira - Benamor Golf (Conceição): $79
- Transfer Quarteira - Alamos Golf (Portimão) : $71
Is it cheaper to fly into Albufeira or Ezcaray?
Prices for flights to both Ezcaray 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayAlbufeira €48Ezcaray €39
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Albufeira
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Albufeira.
- A Portuguese Dinner and Cocktail Experience with pick up: $49
- Portuguese Dinner and Cocktail Experience with Pick up: $52
- Dinner at the Vineyards in Lagoa: $60
- Algarve Bike and Food Tour with Sea Food and Wine Tasting: $61
- Sunset Safari with Traditional Dinner : $65
- 6-Hour Sunset Dinner Catamaran Cruise from Albufeira: $74
- Half-Day-Orange Picking &Jam Cooking/Lunch with the Orange Farmer: $109
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Albufeira €39Ezcaray €21
Tours and Activities in Albufeira
Here are a few actual costs in Albufeira for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Algarve Coast & Chapel of Bones ( Private Van Tour ): $52
- Safari Experience with Traditional Tapas: $76
- 3 Hour Cruise Experience from Vilamoura: $33
- 70 Minutes Guided Secrets of Albufeira Walking Tour: $22
- Albufeira 1 hour Off-Road Tour Quad Adventure Tour: $19
- Albufeira 1.5-Hour Off-road Quad Tour: $44
- Albufeira 2 hour Off-Road Tour Buggy Adventure Tour: $49
- Albufeira 2 hour Off-Road Tour Quad Adventure Tour: $35
- Albufeira 3.5 hour Off-Road Tour Buggy Adventure Tour: $65
- Albufeira 6-Hour Off-Road Quad Tour: $202
- Albufeira Algarve 4Hours Benagil Tasting Experience: $96
- Albufeira Beach BBQ with Caves and Coastline Cruise : $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAlbufeira €26Ezcaray €19
Sample the Local Flavors in Albufeira
Also in Albufeira, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Exclusive Wine Tasting Experience in Porches (Algarve): $49
- Sunset Wine Tasting With BBQ in Porches: $49
- Wine Tasting Tour in Algarve Winery : $58
- Half Day Safari Tour with Wine Tasting: $58
- Winery Tour with Wine Tasting and Tapas: $63
- Small-Group Wine Tour & Silves Exploration (from Albufeira): $68
- Wine Tour and Tasting - Semi-Private from Albufeira: $71
- Albufeira Coast Tour w/ Wine tasting & Chicken lunch: $74
- From Private Lagos Tour Whith Wine Tasting: $92
- Lagos and Ponta Da Piedade Private Tour & Algarvian Wine Tasting: $107
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Albufeira and Ezcaray, we can see that Albufeira is more expensive. And not only is Ezcaray much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ezcaray would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ezcaray 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 Albufeira would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Albufeira than you might in Ezcaray.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Albufeira Expensive? and Is Ezcaray Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Albufeira or Ezcaray?
Albufeira has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Ezcaray. When comparing the sizes of Albufeira and Ezcaray, 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 Ezcaray?
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 Ezcaray in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Albufeira as well as Ezcaray. Many travelers come to Albufeira for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Albufeira is generally a little warmer than Ezcaray. Daily temperatures in Albufeira average around 25°C (78°F), and Ezcaray fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
Albufeira usually gets less rain in July than Ezcaray. Albufeira gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Ezcaray receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAlbufeira 25°C (78°F)Ezcaray 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Albufeira or Ezcaray in the Autumn?
Both Ezcaray 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.
Albufeira is a little warmer than Ezcaray in the autumn. The daily temperature in Albufeira averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Ezcaray fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Ezcaray. In October, Albufeira usually receives less rain than Ezcaray. Albufeira gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Ezcaray receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAlbufeira 19°C (67°F)Ezcaray 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Albufeira or Ezcaray in the Winter?
Both Ezcaray 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.
In the winter, Albufeira is a little warmer than Ezcaray. Typically, the winter temperatures in Albufeira in January average around 11°C (52°F), and Ezcaray averages at about 9°C (48°F).
Ezcaray gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Albufeira usually gets less rain in January than Ezcaray. Albufeira gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Ezcaray receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAlbufeira 11°C (52°F)Ezcaray 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Albufeira or Ezcaray in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Albufeira and Ezcaray. The spring months attract visitors to Albufeira because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In April, Albufeira is generally a little warmer than Ezcaray. Daily temperatures in Albufeira average around 15°C (60°F), and Ezcaray fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
Ezcaray receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Albufeira usually receives less rain than Ezcaray. Albufeira gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Ezcaray receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAlbufeira 15°C (60°F)Ezcaray 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Ezcaray and Albufeira
| Albufeira | Ezcaray | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°C (52°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (54°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (56°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| May | 19°C (65°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (78°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (78°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (58°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.