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

Should you visit Albufeira or Messina?

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

Should I visit Albufeira or Messina? 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 high energy, party hard, and vibrant 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. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Messina

Messina is a bustling, local, and historic port city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Albufeira and Messina: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Albufeira or Messina?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Albufeira. Although Albufeira and Messina are popular destinations, Albufeira has more sights and attractions for tourists. Albufeira is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Messina attracts visitors for its museums and shopping. Albufeira is more touristy than Messina and is known for its golden beaches and limestone cliffs. It is also well known for Praia da Falesia. Messina is famous for being the entry and departure point to Sicily for those traveling by ferry.

How is Albufeira different from Messina?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Messina is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Albufeira does not have museums and landmarks.

Messina offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a number of historic sights around town including the Cathedral and the Piazza del Duomo, the Bell Tower and Astronomical Clock, Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani, and the Regional Museum. There are also many ornate fountains around town.

Albufeira does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Albufeira is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Albufeira makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Messina has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city's cuisine is a mix of the cultures that have influenced Sicily over the centuries. The city has a longstanding fishing industry and one of the most popular dishes are swordfish rolls. Also try the pidone (similar to calzones with different fillings), and the focaccia (a local bread).

Is Albufeira or Messina Better for Nightlife?

Albufeira is renowned for nightlife. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

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.

Many people head to Messina for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is mostly centered around the old town and you'll find a mix of locals and tourists hanging out in pubs and bars. During the summer months there are often free outdoor concerts to enjoy.

Is Albufeira or Messina Better for Resorts?

Albufeira is renowned for its resorts. However, Messina is not a resort destination.

Albufeira is a world class resort vacation destination. 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.

Messina is not a resort destination.

Is Albufeira or Messina Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Albufeira is well known for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Messina is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Albufeira is an extremely popular place to visit for 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.

Messina is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Albufeira or Messina Better for Beaches?

Albufeira is renowned for its beaches. However, Messina is not particularly known for the beache.

Albufeira is considered to be a world-class beach destination. 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.

You can check out the beach in Messina. There are pebbly beaches in the area that are becoming more popular with tourists.

Is Albufeira or Messina Better for Hiking?

Albufeira is a resort town with good options for its hiking experiences. However, Messina is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around 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.

Messina is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Albufeira or Messina?

Messina is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Albufeira is a resort town with minimal options for its shopping areas.

Messina offers some nice shopping areas. The best shopping is around Piazza Cairoli with the main shopping streets being Viale Europa and Viale San Martino. There are many small boutiques that have cheaper prices than some of the more upscale Sicilian towns.

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 Messina Better for Families?

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

Messina is a very kid-friendly port city. There are a number outdoor activities that kids will enjoy including Parco Avventura Dei Peloritani, which has ropes and obstacle courses. There's also the Karting Center, which is fun for the whole family, or a small aquarium in town. If you're looking for an excursion outside of town, head to Cascata Cataolo waterfall, which is very kid-friendly.

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 Messina Better for Couples?

Albufeira is renowned for romance. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Albufeira is a great resort town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

Messina makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Most visitors see the city as an arrival or departure point for Sicily, but those couples who linger will appreciate a number of historical sights and a nice atmosphere.

Is Albufeira or Messina Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Albufeira is renowned for backpackers. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Albufeira is a mecca for backpackers and 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Messina. If you're traveling by train or ferry, you'll likely arrive or depart from this city. There are a number of hostels and cheap guesthouses around town that offer affordable accommodation.

Is Albufeira or Messina Better for Students?

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

Messina is popular with students. There are a few study abroad opportunities that bring international students to town. The city also have good transportation connections and a friendly atmosphere that is welcoming to students.

Albufeira is not popular with students.

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

Messina 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 Messina, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. If your legs are tired then there's an efficient bus system that you can use.

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 Messina a more walkable city?

Messina 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.

Messina is a very walkable port city. Most of the city's attractions can be reached on foot and the port is a ten to fifteen minute walk from Piazza del Duomo.

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 Messina Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Messina or Albufeira?

How long in Albufeira or Messina?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Albufeira and Messina. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Albufeira than in Messina. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Albufeira, and 2-3 days is enough time in Messina.

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

Couples should spend more time in Albufeira than Messina. 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 Messina 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 Messina?

In Albufeira, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This resort town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find shopping and museums around the port city of Messina. 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 Messina?

In Albufeira, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the bustling destination of Messina. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Albufeira or Messina?

Albufeira is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Albufeira has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the bustling port city of Messina. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Albufeira or Messina?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Albufeira. In Albufeira, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Messina 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.

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 Food and Culinary Tours in Italy, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Albufeira and Messina, we can see that Albufeira is more expensive. And not only is Messina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Messina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Messina 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 Messina.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Albufeira Expensive? and Is Messina Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Albufeira or Messina?

Messina has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Albufeira. When comparing the sizes of Albufeira and Messina, 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 Messina?

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 Messina in the Summer?

Both Messina and Albufeira are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Albufeira in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Messina for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Albufeira is generally around the same temperature as Messina. Daily temperatures in Albufeira average around 25°C (78°F), and Messina fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

In July, Albufeira usually receives less rain than Messina. Albufeira gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Messina receives 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Albufeira or Messina in the Autumn?

Both Messina and Albufeira during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Albufeira for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Messina because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Albufeira is around the same temperature as Messina in the autumn. The daily temperature in Albufeira averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Messina fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

Messina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Albufeira usually gets less rain in October than Messina. Albufeira gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Messina receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Albufeira or Messina in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Albufeira and Messina. The winter months attract visitors to Albufeira because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Messina this time of year.

In the winter, Albufeira is cooler than Messina. Typically, the winter temperatures in Albufeira in January average around 11°C (52°F), and Messina averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Messina receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Albufeira usually receives less rain than Messina. Albufeira gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Messina receives 113 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Albufeira or Messina in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Albufeira as well as Messina. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Albufeira this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Messina for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Albufeira is generally around the same temperature as Messina. Daily temperatures in Albufeira average around 15°C (60°F), and Messina fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Albufeira usually gets less rain in April than Messina. Albufeira gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Messina receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Messina and Albufeira