Should you visit Albufeira or Positano?
Should I visit Albufeira or Positano? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
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.
Positano
Located on the Amalfi Coast in Campania, Italy, Positano is a very scenic town that offers spectacular coastal views. The town sits on the edge of a hill and flows down toward the sea. Because of its dramatic beauty, Positano attracts thousands of visitors year around.
The town dates back to medieval times when it was a port for the Amalfi Republic. It thrived throughout the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries but by the mid-nineteenth century its prosperity was falling. During those times more than half of the population left, migrating predominantly to America. During the 1950s the town gained popularity as a tourist destination, in part because of John Steinbeck's essay about the area in Harper's Bazaar (May, 1953).
Which city is cheaper, Positano 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 Positano 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Albufeira and Positano in more detail.
Accommodation
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around €59. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Albufeira the cost is €118 on average.
For a normal double-occupancy room in Positano, €240 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Positano, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is €120, such as in a hostel.
Food
The average traveler spends about €38 per day in Albufeira for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
Positano food costs typically run travelers around €42 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
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Food
Meals for one day
Albufeira €38
Positano €42
Typical Food prices in Positano
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Positano:
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Sitdown Dinner (for Two)
€31
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Pizza in a Restaurant
€9.32
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Sandwich in a Restaurant
€12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Positano
For Positano, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Positano for Foodies- The authentic food tour in Town:
$106
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Dining experience at a local's home in Positano & cooking demo:
$106
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Dining experience at a local's home in Positano with show cooking:
$106
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Small-group Street food tour in Positano:
$111
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Market tour and lunch or dinner at a local's home in Positano:
$173
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Private Pizza & Tiramisu Class at a local's home with tasting in Positano:
$180
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Private cooking class at a local's home with tasting in Positano:
$180
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Local market visit and private cooking class at a local's home in Positano:
$235
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Vico Equense: Market Tour, Home Cooking Class, and Dinner:
$240
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Exclusive hands-on cooking class with a local in Positano:
$372
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Albufeira is €27 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Positano's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend €6.19 per person, per day on transportation in Positano.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Albufeira
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Albufeira:
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Transfer Algarve - Up to 7 People:
$871
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Transfer Algarve - Up to 3 People:
$746
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Lisbon Airoport Private Transfer To Algarve ( 8 Seats Van ):
$566
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Private Transfer Algarve-Lisbon (5 to 8 passangers):
$442
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Private Transfer Lisbon - Pine Cliffs Algarve (5 to 8 passangers):
$442
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Sevilha Airoport Private Transfer To Algarve ( 8 Seats Van ):
$417
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Private Transfer Central Algarve - Lisbon:
$398
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Private Transfer Lisbon - Central Algarve:
$398
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Private Transfer Lisbon - Pine Cliffs Algarve (up to 4 passangers):
$360
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Enjoy Three Days in Algarve ( Hotel & Transfers & Tours ):
$330
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Transfer From Albufeira Algarve To Lisboa:
$235
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Safe & Clean Economic Private Transfer Albufeira > Lisbon:
$139
Typical Local Transportation prices in Positano
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Positano:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Positano
Also for Positano, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Direct Transfer from Hotel in POSITANO (AMALFI COAST) to Hotel in ROME:
$921
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Door-To-Door Private Transfer Fiumicino FCO Airport to Positano or viceversa:
$610
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Door-To-Door Private Transfer Fiumicino FCO Airport to Positano or viceversa:
$610
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Door-To-Door Private Transfer Fiumicino FCO Airport to Positano or viceversa:
$610
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Door-To-Door Private Transfer Fiumicino FCO Airport to Positano or viceversa:
$610
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Door-To-Door Private Transfer Positano to Fiumicino FCO Airport or viceversa:
$610
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Door-To-Door Private Transfer Positano to Fiumicino FCO Airport or viceversa:
$610
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Door-To-Door Private Transfer Positano to Fiumicino FCO Airport or viceversa:
$610
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Door-To-Door Private Transfer Positano to Fiumicino FCO Airport or viceversa:
$610
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Door-To-Door Private Transfer Positano to Rome or viceversa:
$610
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Door-To-Door Private Transfer Positano to Rome or viceversa:
$610
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Door-To-Door Private Transfer Positano to Rome or viceversa:
$610
Entertainment
Albufeira's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €31 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Positano can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around €48 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Tours and Activities in Albufeira
Here are a few actual costs in Albufeira for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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'Leaozinho' Pirate Ship Cruise from Albufeira:
$30
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1.5 Hour Quad Off-Road Tour from Albufeira:
$31
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Albufeira 1.5 hour Off-Road Tour Buggy Adventure Tour:
$40
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Albufeira 1.5-Hour Off-road Quad Tour:
$75
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Albufeira 3-Hour Off-Road Quad Tour:
$137
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Albufeira Beach Tour:
$25
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Albufeira Coast and Countryside Mountain Bike Tour:
$73
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Albufeira Jeep Safari Tour (Full Day):
$65
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Albufeira to Algibre Trails Bike Tour:
$73
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Algarve 4x4 Combi Tours:
$199
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Algarve Coast Full-Day Private Tour:
$93
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Algarve Coastline and Beaches Land Tour:
$622
Typical Entertainment prices in Positano
For Positano, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Tours and Activities in Positano
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Positano.
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Path of the Gods Guided Walking Tour:
$44
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Positano Walking tour:
$50
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From Amalfi and Ravello Tour:
$56
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Half-Day Ancient Pompeii Tour from Amalfi Coast:
$56
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Half Day Herculaneum Guided Tour from Amalfi Coast:
$56
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Sorrento & Amalfi Drive guided tour from Amalfi Coast - small group tour:
$62
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Pompeii and Vesuvius guided group tour from Amalfi Coast:
$65
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Napoli: Historic and Panoramic Amalfi Coast Tour:
$78
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Small Group Tour to Positano, Amalfi and Ravello with Lunch:
$81
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Pompeii and Herculaneum group tour from Amalfi Coast:
$81
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Amalfi Coast: Path of the Gods Private Walking Tour:
$88
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Naples: Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello Tour on a Luxury Bus:
$95
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Albufeira may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €21 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Positano, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is €12.
Sample the Local Flavors in Albufeira
Also in Albufeira, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Small group Wine Tasting Tour from Albufeira:
$61
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sunset wine tasting from Albufeira:
$87
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Half Day Small Group Premium Wine Tour from Albufeira:
$93
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Wine Tour & Walking 7 Hanging Valleys - Coast Algarve:
$156
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From Algarve: Medieval Évora with Lunch and Wine Tasting:
$319
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Algarve Art and Wine Tour from Albufeira:
$653
Typical Alcohol prices in Positano
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Positano:
Sample the Local Flavors in Positano
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Positano:
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Pompeii & Vesuvius Wine Tour from Amalfi Coast - small group tour:
$162
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Pompeii,Vesuvius with Lunch & wine tasting from Positano all inclusive:
$260
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Private Irpinia Wine Tour from Positano, Amalfi or Ravello with Sommelier:
$301
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Pompeii-Vesuvius-Wine Tasting tour with licensed guide included:
$373
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Paestum Temples+Bufala Mozzarella Farm+Wine tasting in Cilento (from Positano):
$809
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Albufeira and Positano, we can see that Positano 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 Positano would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Positano than you might in Albufeira.
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