Which place is cheaper, Gran Canaria or Albufeira?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Albufeira or Gran Canaria?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Albufeira or Gran Canaria? 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 Gran Canaria?
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.
Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is one of Spain's Canary Islands, located just off the coast of northwestern Africa. It is the third largest of the islands, and is known for its variety of volcanic beaches. This island is sometimes called a "Miniature Continent" due to the different climates and variety of landscapes found, which allow for a range of activities like hiking, biking, surfing, and scuba diving.
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 Bicycle Tours in Spain, and The Best Adventure Tours to Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAlbufeira €148Gran Canaria €125
The average daily cost (per person) in Albufeira is €148, while the average daily cost in Gran Canaria is €125. 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 Gran Canaria in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAlbufeira €74Gran Canaria €63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAlbufeira €148Gran Canaria €126
Compare Hotels in Albufeira and Gran Canaria
Looking for a hotel in Albufeira or Gran Canaria? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Albufeira €34Gran Canaria €46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Albufeira
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Albufeira:
- Private Transfer From Algarve to Sevilha By 8 Seats Minibus: $513
- Private transfer from Albufeira to Lisbon with 2 hours sightseeing: $283
- Transfer Vila Real de Santo Antonio - Alto Golf Pestana (Alvor): $164
- Transfer Vila Nova de Cacela - Alto Golf Pestana (Alvor): $151
- Transfer Vila Nova de Cacela - Balaia Golf (Albufeira): $140
- Private Transfer from Vila Real de Santo António to Faro (FAO) Airport: $132
- Private Airport Transfer To Albufeira Area: $109
- Transfer Alcantarilha - Benamor Golf (Conceição): $99
- Private Airport Transfer To Albufeira Area: $98
- Transfer Galé - Benamor Golf (Conceição): $89
- Transfer Albufeira - Benamor Golf (Conceição): $89
- Private Transfer from Pera to Faro (FAO) Airport: $82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gran Canaria
Also for Gran Canaria, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Buggy Tour of 2 hours in the afternoon with Transfers only South Zone: $71
- El Salobre: Horse Riding Adventure with Transfer Options: $32
- From Playa del Inglés: Guided Jet Ski Tour & Hotel Transfers: $160
- Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) to Playa del Ingles - Arrival Transfer: $33
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from El Salobre to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $47
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Fataga to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $79
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Gáldar to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $64
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Ingenio to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $31
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from La Milagrosa to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $43
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Las Palmas airport (LPA) to Agüimes: $31
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Las Palmas airport (LPA) to Amadores: $61
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Las Palmas airport (LPA) to Anfí del Mar: $61
Is it cheaper to fly into Albufeira or Gran Canaria?
Prices for flights to both Gran Canaria 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 €48Gran Canaria €34
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 €39Gran Canaria €20
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
Tours and Activities in Gran Canaria
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Gran Canaria.
- Walking tour Vegueta (old town Las Palmas): $7.49
- Walking tour old town Las Palmas Vegueta: $7.64
- Las Palmas: Old Town Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.45
- Agüimes: Cocodrilo Park Zoo Entry Ticket: $11
- Banana Plantation Guided Tour & Tasting: $13
- Angry Birds Activity Park Entry Ticket: $14
- Holiday World Maspalomas Wooland Ticket: $14
- Skip the Line: Holiday World Maspalomas Wooland Ticket: $14
- Maspalomas: Bowling Session Entry Ticket at Holiday World: $15
- Taurito: Lago Taurito Water Park Entrance Ticket: $17
- Puerto de Mogan: Friday Market Experience: $24
- Winery Tour, Wine Museum, and Tasting: $24
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAlbufeira €26Gran Canaria €7.14
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Gran Canaria
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gran Canaria:
- Spanish Tapas and Wine Tasting Tour in Mogan: $52
- Spanish Cured Meats & Wine Tasting Tour in Mogan: $60
- Gran Canaria Picnic Experience & Wine Tasting: $102
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Albufeira and Gran Canaria, we can see that Albufeira is more expensive. And not only is Gran Canaria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Gran Canaria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Gran Canaria 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 Gran Canaria.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Albufeira Expensive? and Is Gran Canaria Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Albufeira or Gran Canaria?
Gran Canaria has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Albufeira. When comparing the sizes of Albufeira and Gran Canaria, 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 Gran Canaria?
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 Gran Canaria in the Summer?
Both Gran Canaria and Albufeira during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Albufeira because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Albufeira is around the same temperature as Gran Canaria. Typically, the summer temperatures in Albufeira in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Gran Canaria averages at about 23°C (73°F).
Albufeira usually gets more rain in July than Gran Canaria. Albufeira gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Gran Canaria receives 0 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAlbufeira 25°C (78°F)Gran Canaria 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Albufeira or Gran Canaria in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Albufeira and Gran Canaria. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Albufeira this time of year.
In October, Albufeira is generally cooler than Gran Canaria. Daily temperatures in Albufeira average around 19°C (67°F), and Gran Canaria fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In October, Albufeira usually receives more rain than Gran Canaria. Albufeira gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Gran Canaria receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAlbufeira 19°C (67°F)Gran Canaria 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Albufeira or Gran Canaria in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Albufeira as well as Gran Canaria. Many travelers come to Albufeira for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Albufeira is much colder than Gran Canaria in the winter. The daily temperature in Albufeira averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Gran Canaria fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Albufeira usually gets more rain in January than Gran Canaria. Albufeira gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Gran Canaria receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAlbufeira 11°C (52°F)Gran Canaria 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Albufeira or Gran Canaria in the Spring?
Both Gran Canaria and Albufeira are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Albufeira in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Albufeira is cooler than Gran Canaria. Typically, the spring temperatures in Albufeira in April average around 15°C (60°F), and Gran Canaria averages at about 19°C (66°F).
In April, Albufeira usually receives more rain than Gran Canaria. Albufeira gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Gran Canaria receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAlbufeira 15°C (60°F)Gran Canaria 19°C (66°F)
Typical Weather for Gran Canaria and Albufeira
| Albufeira | Gran Canaria | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°C (52°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (54°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (56°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| May | 19°C (65°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (78°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (78°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (58°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 31 mm (1.2 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.