Which place is cheaper, Puerto de la Cruz or Albufeira?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Albufeira or Puerto de la Cruz?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Albufeira or Puerto de la Cruz? 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 Puerto de la Cruz?
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.
Puerto de la Cruz
The coast of the island of Tenerife is a dream destination for those seeking a luxurious getaway full of beaches and parties. However, for those of you traveling with families or looking to simply avoid the hustle and bustle of the nightclub crowd, there's Puerto de la Cruz. Known as a sophisticated destination, Puerto de la Cruz is one of the top places to visit yet still retains its authentic, Canarian charm.
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, and The Best Luxury Tours to Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAlbufeira €148Puerto de la Cruz €112
The average daily cost (per person) in Albufeira is €148, while the average daily cost in Puerto de la Cruz is €112. 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 Puerto de la Cruz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAlbufeira €74Puerto de la Cruz €51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAlbufeira €148Puerto de la Cruz €102
Compare Hotels in Albufeira and Puerto de la Cruz
Looking for a hotel in Albufeira or Puerto de la Cruz? 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 and Puerto de la Cruz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Albufeira €34Puerto de la Cruz €40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Albufeira
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Albufeira:
- Faro Airport Private Transfer - Albufeira (Departure): $27
- Transfer Alcantarilha - Balaia Golf (Albufeira): $34
- Transfer Galé - Balaia Golf (Albufeira): $34
- Private Transfer from Résidence Pierre Vilamoura to Faro (FAO) Airport: $38
- Transfer Silves - Balaia Golf (Albufeira): $41
- Stork Transfers - Private Transfer From Albufeira to Faro Airport (up to 4 pax): $45
- Transfer Tavira - Benamor Golf (Conceição): $47
- Private Transfer from Villa Guerreiro (Albufeira) to Faro (FAO) Airport: $48
- Private Transfer from Apartamentos Pescadores (Albufeira) to Faro (FAO) Airport: $48
- Albufeira - Faro Airport Transfers 4pax: $49
- Transfer Silves - Alamos Golf (Portimão): $55
- Private Transfer from Ferreiras to Faro (FAO) Airport: $59
Is it cheaper to fly into Albufeira or Puerto de la Cruz?
Prices for flights to both Puerto de la Cruz 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 €48Puerto de la Cruz €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 €39Puerto de la Cruz €28
Tours and Activities in Albufeira
Here are a few actual costs in Albufeira for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- From Portugal eSIM Tourist Data Plan: $4.81
- Albufeira 1 hour Off-Road Tour Quad Adventure Tour: $19
- Old Town History Walking Tour with Drink: $20
- Quarteira Town & Gypsy Market Tour with Beach Bliss: $21
- Authentic Algarve: Loulé Town Tour and Markets: $21
- Albufeira Old Town: In-App Adventure Hunt: $21
- Albufeira The Strip: In-App Adventure Hunt: $21
- Private Tuk-Tuk Tour of Albufeira: $22
- 70 Minutes Guided Secrets of Albufeira Walking Tour: $22
- Algarve Wines Tasting Shared Experience at Mercado Municipal de Silves: $27
- Tour to Benagil Caves and Coastline in Albufeira: $29
- Private Guided Tuk Tuk Tour with pick-up and drop-off in Albufeira : $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAlbufeira €26Puerto de la Cruz €5.00
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 Puerto de la Cruz, we can see that Albufeira is more expensive. And not only is Puerto de la Cruz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Puerto de la Cruz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto de la Cruz 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 Puerto de la Cruz.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Albufeira Expensive? and Is Puerto de la Cruz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Albufeira or Puerto de la Cruz?
Puerto de la Cruz has a larger population, and is about 85% larger than the population of Albufeira. When comparing the sizes of Albufeira and Puerto de la Cruz, 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 Puerto de la Cruz?
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 Puerto de la Cruz in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Albufeira and Puerto de la Cruz. Most visitors come to Albufeira for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Albufeira is around the same temperature as Puerto de la Cruz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Albufeira in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Puerto de la Cruz averages at about 24°C (75°F).
In July, Albufeira usually receives less rain than Puerto de la Cruz. Albufeira gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAlbufeira 25°C (78°F)Puerto de la Cruz 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Albufeira or Puerto de la Cruz in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Albufeira as well as Puerto de la Cruz. The autumn months attract visitors to Albufeira because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Albufeira is generally around the same temperature as Puerto de la Cruz. Daily temperatures in Albufeira average around 19°C (67°F), and Puerto de la Cruz fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Albufeira usually gets more rain in October than Puerto de la Cruz. Albufeira gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAlbufeira 19°C (67°F)Puerto de la Cruz 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Albufeira or Puerto de la Cruz in the Winter?
Both Puerto de la Cruz and Albufeira are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Albufeira this time of year.
Albufeira is much colder than Puerto de la Cruz in the winter. The daily temperature in Albufeira averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Puerto de la Cruz fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
In January, Albufeira usually receives more rain than Puerto de la Cruz. Albufeira gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAlbufeira 11°C (52°F)Puerto de la Cruz 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Albufeira or Puerto de la Cruz in the Spring?
Both Puerto de la Cruz and Albufeira during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Albufeira for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Albufeira is cooler than Puerto de la Cruz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Albufeira in April average around 15°C (60°F), and Puerto de la Cruz averages at about 20°C (68°F).
Albufeira usually gets more rain in April than Puerto de la Cruz. Albufeira gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Puerto de la Cruz receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAlbufeira 15°C (60°F)Puerto de la Cruz 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto de la Cruz and Albufeira
| Albufeira | Puerto de la Cruz | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°C (52°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (54°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (56°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 19°C (65°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (78°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (78°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (58°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 43 mm (1.7 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.