Which place is cheaper, Playa del Ingles or Albufeira?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Albufeira or Playa del Ingles?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Albufeira or Playa del Ingles? 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 Playa del Ingles?
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.
Playa del Ingles
Translating to "Englishman's Beach," Playa del Ingles is a sea resort located on the south coast of the Gran Canaria island of Spain's Canary Islands. Since the 1960s it has been built up to accommodate tourists from around the world, especially from Europe. Some of the most popular attractions include an abundance of bars and clubs as well as beachside activities like swimming, surfing, scuba, and snorkeling.
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 Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAlbufeira €148Playa del Ingles €180
The average daily cost (per person) in Albufeira is €148, while the average daily cost in Playa del Ingles is €180. 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 Playa del Ingles in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAlbufeira €74Playa del Ingles €93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAlbufeira €148Playa del Ingles €186
Compare Hotels in Albufeira and Playa del Ingles
Looking for a hotel in Albufeira or Playa del Ingles? 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 €34Playa del Ingles €61
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 Playa del Ingles?
Prices for flights to both Playa del Ingles 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 €48Playa del Ingles €49
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 €39Playa del Ingles €33
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 €26Playa del Ingles €7.86
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 Playa del Ingles, we can see that Playa del Ingles is more expensive. And not only is Albufeira much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Albufeira would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Albufeira 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 Playa del Ingles would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Playa del Ingles than you might in Albufeira.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Albufeira Expensive? and Is Playa del Ingles Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Albufeira or Playa del Ingles?
Playa del Ingles has a larger population, and is about 8% larger than the population of Albufeira. When comparing the sizes of Albufeira and Playa del Ingles, 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 Playa del Ingles?
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 Playa del Ingles in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Albufeira as well as Playa del Ingles. 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 Playa del Ingles. Daily temperatures in Albufeira average around 25°C (78°F), and Playa del Ingles fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
Albufeira usually gets more rain in July than Playa del Ingles. Albufeira gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Playa del Ingles receives 0 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAlbufeira 25°C (78°F)Playa del Ingles 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Albufeira or Playa del Ingles in the Autumn?
Both Playa del Ingles 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 cooler than Playa del Ingles in the autumn. The daily temperature in Albufeira averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Playa del Ingles fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In October, Albufeira usually receives more rain than Playa del Ingles. Albufeira gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Playa del Ingles receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAlbufeira 19°C (67°F)Playa del Ingles 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Albufeira or Playa del Ingles in the Winter?
Both Playa del Ingles 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 much colder than Playa del Ingles. Typically, the winter temperatures in Albufeira in January average around 11°C (52°F), and Playa del Ingles averages at about 17°C (63°F).
Albufeira usually gets more rain in January than Playa del Ingles. Albufeira gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Playa del Ingles receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAlbufeira 11°C (52°F)Playa del Ingles 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Albufeira or Playa del Ingles in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Albufeira and Playa del Ingles. 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 cooler than Playa del Ingles. Daily temperatures in Albufeira average around 15°C (60°F), and Playa del Ingles fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In April, Albufeira usually receives more rain than Playa del Ingles. Albufeira gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Playa del Ingles 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)Playa del Ingles 19°C (66°F)
Typical Weather for Playa del Ingles and Albufeira
| Albufeira | Playa del Ingles | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°C (52°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (54°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (56°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (78°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 22°C (72°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) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (58°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 21 mm (0.8 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.