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

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Should you visit Albufeira or Madrid?

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

Should I visit Albufeira or Madrid? 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 touristy, popular, and activity-filled 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. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Madrid

Madrid is a compact, friendly, and cultural 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 food, shopping, and museums.

Albufeira and Madrid: Pros and Cons

Albufeira
Pros
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Cons
  • Less popular for shopping
  • Public transit not as usable
  • Less walkable
Madrid
Pros
  • Good for shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good public transit
  • Very walkable
  • Big city activities


How is Albufeira different from Madrid?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Madrid and Albufeira. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Albufeira or Madrid Better for Food?

Albufeira
Madrid

Foodies will find both Albufeira and Madrid both to be unique 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.

Madrid has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city has a mix of flavors that come from all of Spain. Local favorites include roast suckling pig, Spanish omelette, and meat and chickpea stew.


Is Albufeira or Madrid Better for Nightlife?

Albufeira
Madrid

It's hard to distinguish whether Albufeira or Madrid has a better nightlife scene.

People head to Albufeira just to party. 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.

The nightlife in Madrid is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. Many tourists and international students hang out in the Huertas area, while Malasaña has a bohemian, hipster vibe with small clubs that play indie music. Chueca is a fun area that's known for being gay-friendly with many good bars. Finally, you'll find that the area around Avenida de Brasil is where famous DJs often perform.

Is Albufeira or Madrid Better for Shopping?

Albufeira
Madrid

Madrid often provides a better shopping experience than Albufeira.

The abundance of shops in Madrid make it a world-class shopping destination. Gran Vía is a main thoroughfare in Madrid that is also popular for shopping. Calle Fuencarral is where you'll find the fashion shops and Calle Preciados is a fun pedestrian area to explore.

Shopping in Albufeira can be found for those interested. 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 Madrid Better for Families?

Albufeira
Madrid

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Albufeira or Madrid.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Albufeira. 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."

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Madrid. Kids love splashing around at Madrid Río, taking a ride on the cable car (Teleférico), and exploring the city's many parks and playgrounds. There's even a maze at Sabatini Gardens. Restaurants around the city are also very kid-friendly.

Is Albufeira or Madrid Better for Couples?

Albufeira
Madrid

With fun activities for couples, both Albufeira and Madrid make for a good 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.

Madrid is a great resort town if you're traveling as a couple. Fun and romantic activities around town include taking a boat ride at Casa de Campo, riding a bike in one of the many parks, and enjoy dinner and show in the evening.


Is Albufeira or Madrid Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Albufeira
Madrid

Albufeira and Madrid are comparable places 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.

A large number of backpackers visit Madrid, as it is a very popular resort town for budget travelers. The many hostels around town make it easy for backpackers to find affordable accommodation while also meeting other travelers.

Is Albufeira or Madrid Better for Public Transit?

Albufeira
Madrid

Madrid provides more public transit options than Albufeira.

With a huge network, the transit system in Madrid can get you around easily. The system includes the Madrid Metro, buses, and a light rail system.

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 Madrid a more walkable city?

Albufeira
Madrid

Madrid is considered more walkable than Albufeira.

Getting around Madrid on foot is easy. Most tourists stay in the central part of Madrid where it's compact and relatively easy to walk to most tourist sights.

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.

Should I spend more time in Madrid or Albufeira?

How long in Albufeira or Madrid?

In either Albufeira or Madrid, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Albufeira than Madrid because of the overall number of sights and activities.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Albufeira is 3-7 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Madrid is 2-5 days.


  • How many days in Albufeira or Madrid? Ideal Length of Stay
    Albufeira 3-7 
    Madrid 2-5

One day in Albufeira or Madrid?

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.

People visit Madrid because there is so much to do. 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 Madrid?

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.

People visit Madrid because there is so much to do. 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 Madrid?

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.

People visit Madrid 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. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Albufeira or Madrid?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the party hard 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.

Madrid is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

Which city is cheaper, Madrid or Albufeira?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Albufeira is €118, while the average daily cost in Madrid is €107. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Albufeira and Madrid in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Albufeira €59
    Madrid €59
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Albufeira €118
    Madrid €118
Compare Hotels in Albufeira and Madrid

Looking for a hotel in Albufeira or Madrid? 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.

Hotels in Albufeira


Hotels in Madrid


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 Madrid Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Albufeira €27
    Madrid €15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Albufeira

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Albufeira:

  • Transfer Algarve - Up to 7 People: $871
  • Transfer Algarve - Up to 3 People: $746
  • Lisbon Airoport Private Transfer To Algarve ( 8 Seats Van ): $566
  • Private Transfer Algarve-Lisbon (5 to 8 passangers): $442
  • Private Transfer Lisbon - Pine Cliffs Algarve (5 to 8 passangers): $442
  • Sevilha Airoport Private Transfer To Algarve ( 8 Seats Van ): $417
  • Private Transfer Central Algarve - Lisbon: $398
  • Private Transfer Lisbon - Central Algarve: $398
  • Private Transfer Lisbon - Pine Cliffs Algarve (up to 4 passangers): $360
  • Enjoy Three Days in Algarve ( Hotel & Transfers & Tours ): $330
  • Transfer From Albufeira Algarve To Lisboa: $235
  • Safe & Clean Economic Private Transfer Albufeira > Lisbon: $139

Typical Local Transportation prices in Madrid

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Madrid are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    €26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Madrid

Also for Madrid, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Transfer Chauffeur Drive: $122
  • Arrival Private Transfer Business Car MAD to Madrid: $51
  • Arrival Private Transfer Luxury Car MAD to Madrid: $78
  • Arrival Private Transfer MAD to Madrid in a Minibus: $140
  • Arrival Private Transfer Madrid Airport MAD to Avila City by Business Car: $247
  • Arrival Private Transfer Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid City by Luxury Van: $70
  • Arrival Private Transfer Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid City by Standard Minibus: $126
  • Arrival Private Transfer Madrid MAD to Madrid, Toledo or Avila Luxury Van: $69
  • Arrival Transfer from Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid in Private Car: $58
  • Arrival Transfer from Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid in Private Van: $56
  • DUCA - Hassle-Free transfer from Madrid to Vicentine Coast: $743
  • Departure Private Transfer Luxury Car Madrid to MAD: $80

Is it cheaper to fly into Albufeira or Madrid?

Prices for flights to both Madrid 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Albufeira €38
    Madrid €27

Typical Food prices in Madrid

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Madrid:


  • Coffee
    €2.00
  • Ice Cream
    €3.00
  • Kebabs (for 2)
    €16
  • Croissant
    €1.50
  • Lunch at Airport (for 2)
    €16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Madrid

For Madrid, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Virtual Cooking Class: The Spanish Paella Experience: $24
  • Florida Retiro Dinner Show: $38
  • Murder Mystery Dinner Experience: $49
  • Virtual cooking - spanish "tortilla de patatas": $50
  • Murder Mystery Dinner Experience: $50
  • Flamenco Workshop and Show with Dinner and Drinks: $51
  • Skip the Line: Flamenco Show with Dinner and Workshop in Madrid Ticket: $52
  • Homemade pasta cooking class and lunch in the heart of Madrid: $58
  • Mamaz Social Italian Dinner in Madrid: $60
  • 3-hour Virtual Spanish Cooking Class in Madrid: $62
  • Iberico Ham and Spanish Wine Small-Group Food Tour: $67
  • Authentic Italian Dinner in Madrid: $68

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Albufeira €31
    Madrid €27

Tours and Activities in Albufeira

Here are a few actual costs in Albufeira for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 'Leaozinho' Pirate Ship Cruise from Albufeira: $30
  • 1.5 Hour Quad Off-Road Tour from Albufeira: $31
  • Abulferia: 3-Hour Yacht Cruise to Benagil: $34
  • Albufeira 1.5 hour Off-Road Tour Buggy Adventure Tour: $40
  • Albufeira 1.5-Hour Off-road Quad Tour: $75
  • Albufeira 3-Hour Off-Road Quad Tour: $137
  • Albufeira Beach Tour: $25
  • Albufeira Coast and Countryside Mountain Bike Tour: $73
  • Albufeira Jeep Safari Tour (Full Day): $65
  • Albufeira to Algibre Trails Bike Tour: $73
  • 2-Hour Caves and Cliffs Kayaking Experience: $40
  • 2.5-Hour Dolphin Watching and Caves Cruise: $31

Tours and Activities in Madrid

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Madrid.

  • Prado Museum Self-Guided Audio Tour App: $3.97
  • Madrid's Private Tour with your Family: Highlights & Hidden Gems: $4.04
  • A local's Tuck into the city's history and some tapas on an audio tour: $5.00
  • History Tour of The Town Too High To Die Walking Audio Tour by VoiceMap: $5.13
  • Let's Tapear! The Madrid Tapas Route Walking Audio Tour by VoiceMap: $5.43
  • Madrid from the Inquisition to Multiculturalism Walking Audio Tour by VoiceMap: $5.43
  • Madrid Private Tour: Fun Old Town Exploration Game: $7.45
  • Skip the Line: Museo Lázaro Galdiano Admission Ticket: $8.71
  • Madrid 90 Minutes Kickstart Private Tour: $9.95
  • Skip the Line: Ticket for the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid: $9.95
  • Tours from Home: Intro to Madrid: $10
  • 2 Hours Secrets of Madrid Retiro Park Tour: $11

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Albufeira €21
    Madrid €16

Sample the Local Flavors in Albufeira

Also in Albufeira, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Small group Wine Tasting Tour from Albufeira: $61
  • sunset wine tasting from Albufeira: $87
  • Half Day Small Group Premium Wine Tour from Albufeira: $93
  • Wine Tour & Walking 7 Hanging Valleys - Coast Algarve: $156
  • From Algarve: Medieval Évora with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $319
  • Algarve Art and Wine Tour from Albufeira: $653

Typical Alcohol prices in Madrid

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Madrid are as follows:


  • Beer
    €5.00
  • Drinks and Tapas (for 2)
    €13

Sample the Local Flavors in Madrid

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Madrid:

  • Pub Crawl in Madrid: $15
  • Pub Crawl Madrid by Madpartycrew: $19
  • Wine Tasting near Plaza Mayor: $20
  • Wine Tasting Experience: $32
  • Wine Tasting Experience: $43
  • Madrid Tapas and Mysteries Walking Tour with Private Option and Pub Crawl: $47
  • Wine Tasting and Flamenco Master Class in Madrid: $58
  • Segovia and Spanish Versailles Full-Day Tour with Wine Tasting: $62
  • Old Town Madrid Gourmet Tapas and Wine Tasting Walking Tour: $82
  • Gourmet Tapas & Wine Tasting Experience In Madrid: $91
  • Madrid Tapas and Wine Tasting Tour: $93
  • Madrid Tapas Diaries- A Premium Food & Wine Tour in the old city of Madrid: $123

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Albufeira and Madrid, 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.

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Albufeira vs. Madrid Travel Comparison

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