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

Should you visit Albufeira or Girona?

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

Should I visit Albufeira or Girona? 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.

Girona

Girona is a charming, beautiful, and colorful city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Albufeira and Girona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Albufeira or Girona?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Albufeira than Girona, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Albufeira is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and big city activities, while Girona is more popular for its museums, historical sights, shopping, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Albufeira is more touristy than Girona and is known for its golden beaches and limestone cliffs. Also, Albufeira is famous for Praia da Falesia. Girona is well known for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine.

How is Albufeira different from Girona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Girona offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Wander the ancient city walls, explore the beautiful Girona Cathedral, and learn about the Church of Sant Feliu. There are also some interesting museums in town including the Museum of Jewish History, the Archaeology Museum, and the Film Museum. Also make sure you walk across the famed Eiffel Bridge.

Albufeira does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Albufeira and Girona 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.

Girona has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The small city is filled with cafes and restaurants that spill out into the street. There are also markets such as El Lleó Marketplace where you can check out fresh, local items. Many restaurants also have Catalonian style tapas, seafood such as octopus, and garlic shrimp. For breakfast, there are many pastry shops where you can enjoy a European breakfast.

Is Albufeira or Girona Better for Nightlife?

Albufeira is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. However, Girona is not a good city for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Albufeira is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Girona. It's a surprisingly quiet town, especially compared to other nearby party cities, but there are some nightclubs, bars, and music venues that are worth checking out.

Is Albufeira or Girona Better for Resorts?

Albufeira is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Girona 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.

Girona is not a resort destination.

Is Albufeira or Girona Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Albufeira is a well-known place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Girona 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.

Girona is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Albufeira or Girona Better for Beaches?

Albufeira is an unbeatable place for the beache. However, Girona 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.

Girona is not a beach destination.

Is Albufeira or Girona Better for its Old Town?

Girona is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Albufeira does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Girona is revered around the world. It's a beautiful medieval old town with many wandering streets that are lined with storefronts and classic European cafes.

Albufeira does not have a historic old town.

Is Albufeira or Girona Better for Hiking?

Albufeira is a good destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Girona 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.

Girona is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Albufeira or Girona?

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

Girona is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. In and around the old town you'll find modern shops, local eateries, charming markets, and anything you might need to purchase. There's also no shortage of souvenir and trinket shops, but they have a bit of personality and character to them.

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 Girona Better for Families?

Albufeira is a good destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Girona is not a good city for its kid-friendly activities.

Albufeira is a family-friendly place to visit. 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."

Girona is not always a place people visit with their families. While the old town is beautiful, with charming colorful buildings, the city itself doesn't have a wide number of activities for kids. There are ice cream shops where they can enjoy a sweet treat. There are also several museums and many restaurants have kid-friendly menus.

Is Albufeira or Girona Better for Couples?

Albufeira is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Girona makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The setting is both beautiful and romantic. Couples can enjoy wandering the streets, popping in the many shops, and soaking up the atmosphere. There are also many great restaurants that make for a wonderful night out. Head up the hills towards the cathedral for the best viewpoints, or wander along the river and enjoy the colorful atmosphere.

Is Albufeira or Girona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Albufeira is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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 Girona. Prices aren't too crazy and it's not hard to find a place to stay for an affordable price, but you won't find the lively backpacker scene that is common in many nearby cities.

Is Albufeira or Girona Better for Students?

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

Girona is popular with students. It's a smaller city with affordable accommodation and many great restaurants. It has a quintessential European atmosphere that makes it a fun place to spend some time as a student

Albufeira is not popular with students.

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

Girona 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 Girona, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The town is small enough that you can likely walk anywhere you want to go, but if you need transit, there are 10 local bus routes.

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 Girona a more walkable city?

Girona 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 Girona on foot is easy. Everything is easily accessible on foot and its best not to bring a car into town.

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 Girona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Girona or Albufeira?

How long in Albufeira or Girona?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Albufeira or Girona to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Albufeira than Girona because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Albufeira, and 1-2 days is enough time in Girona.

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

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 quaint city of Girona. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Girona has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Albufeira or Girona?

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 food around the ancient destination of Girona. 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.

Five days in Albufeira or Girona?

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 food and shopping when visiting the medieval city of Girona. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Albufeira or Girona?

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.

Girona 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.

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

Which is Bigger, Albufeira or Girona?

Girona has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Albufeira. When comparing the sizes of Albufeira and Girona, 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 Girona?

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 Girona in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Albufeira and Girona. 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 Girona because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Albufeira is around the same temperature as Girona in the summer. The daily temperature in Albufeira averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Girona fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In July, Albufeira usually receives less rain than Girona. Albufeira gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Girona receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Albufeira or Girona in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Albufeira as well as Girona. 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. Also, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Girona this time of year.

In the autumn, Albufeira is a little warmer than Girona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Albufeira in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Girona averages at about 16°C (61°F).

Albufeira usually gets less rain in October than Girona. Albufeira gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Girona receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Albufeira or Girona in the Winter?

Both Girona and Albufeira are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Albufeira this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Girona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Albufeira is generally a little warmer than Girona. Daily temperatures in Albufeira average around 11°C (52°F), and Girona fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In January, Albufeira usually receives more rain than Girona. Albufeira gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Girona receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Albufeira or Girona in the Spring?

Both Girona and Albufeira during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Albufeira for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Girona in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

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

Albufeira usually gets less rain in April than Girona. Albufeira gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Girona receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Girona and Albufeira