Which place is cheaper, Rabat or Albufeira?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Albufeira or Rabat?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Albufeira or Rabat? 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 Rabat?
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.
Rabat
While not high on the tourist destination list, Rabat is a quiet gem of a city with stunning colonial architecture and palm-lined streets. This political capital is a laid-back, pleasant alternative to the more cosmopolitan Casablanca.
Located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg, Rabat plus the city of Temera are home to a combined metropolitan population of 2.6 million.
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 2-Week Tours in Morocco, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Morocco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAlbufeira €148Rabat €41
The average daily cost (per person) in Albufeira is €148, while the average daily cost in Rabat is €41. 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 Rabat in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAlbufeira €74Rabat €25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAlbufeira €148Rabat €50
Compare Hotels in Albufeira and Rabat
Looking for a hotel in Albufeira or Rabat? 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 Rabat Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Albufeira €34Rabat €1.97
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Albufeira
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Albufeira:
- Private Transfer From Algarve to Sevilha By 8 Seats Minibus: $511
- Private transfer from Albufeira to Lisbon with 2 hours sightseeing: $284
- Transfer Vila Real de Santo Antonio - Alto Golf Pestana (Alvor): $164
- Transfer Vila Nova de Cacela - Alto Golf Pestana (Alvor): $151
- Transfer Vila Nova de Cacela - Alamos Golf (Portimão): $151
- Transfer Vila Real de Santo António - Balaia Golf (Albufeira): $140
- Private Transfer from Vila Real de Santo António to Faro (FAO) Airport: $132
- Private Airport Transfer To Albufeira Area: $109
- Transfer Alcantarilha - Benamor Golf (Conceição): $98
- Private Airport Transfer To Albufeira Area: $98
- Private Transfer from Cacela Velha to Faro (FAO) Airport: $89
- Transfer Galé - Benamor Golf (Conceição): $89
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rabat
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Rabat:
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Taxi to Sale€3.27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rabat
Also for Rabat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer From Rabat To Fez: $109
- "Rabat to Marrakech Private Transfer: Smooth and Comfortable": $120
- One-Way Transfer from Fez to Rabat via volubilis & meknes : $197
- One-Way Transfer from Rabat to Fez via meknes & volubilis : $196
- Private Transfer From Rabat Airport to Rabat City: $32
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Asilah: $273
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Bouznika: $87
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Casablanca: $164
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to El Jadida: $261
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Fes: $273
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Kenitra: $109
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Larache: $254
Is it cheaper to fly into Albufeira or Rabat?
Prices for flights to both Rabat 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 €48Rabat €12
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 : $66
- 6-Hour Sunset Dinner Catamaran Cruise from Albufeira: $74
- Sunset Tour - Champagne and Traditional Dinner: $75
- Half-Day-Orange Picking &Jam Cooking/Lunch with the Orange Farmer: $109
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rabat
For Rabat, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Small Group Cooking Classes with Tour of Rabat : $45
- Join Best Moroccan Cooking Class with Chef Khadija ( Over 35 years Experience ): $49
- Cooking Class in a Family Home: $66
- Walking Food Tour: $75
- Rabat Food Tour Like a Local: $75
- Rabat Food Tour in the Old Town: $75
- Rabat Family Cooking Class: $75
- Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class in Rabat with a Local Family: $110
- Private Market Tour and Authentic Moroccan Cooking Lesson with a Rabat Local: $120
- Gourmet Cooking Class in Rabat: $189
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Albufeira €39Rabat €2.66
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
- Full Day Private Tour in Silves and Coast Gems: $191
- Safari Experience with Traditional Tapas: $76
- 3 Hour Benagil Sunset and Coastline Boat Tour in Albufeira: $36
- 3 Hour Cruise Experience from Vilamoura: $33
- 4 Hour Cruise along the Algarve Coastline: $93
- Adventure between friends - Private safari, from 1 to 6 PAX: $163
- Albufeira (FULL DAY) Jeep Safari Tour : $74
- Albufeira 1 hour Off-Road Tour Buggy Adventure Tour: $33
- Albufeira 1 hour Off-Road Tour Quad Adventure Tour: $19
- Albufeira 1.5-Hour Off-road Quad Tour: $43
- Albufeira 2 hour Off-Road Tour Buggy Adventure Tour: $49
Tours and Activities in Rabat
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rabat.
- SUP Adventure Rabat (kayaking, stand up paddle , boating) VIP: $15
- Rabat old Medina ,Hassan Tower and Kasbah Oudaya Walking tour : $40
- Private Cultural Walking Tour of Rabat with Licensed Tour Guide: $42
- Private Surf Experience in Rabat: $44
- Rabat tour ;Small Group Guided Walking tour in the City of Light: $44
- Private Boat Tour of the Bouregreg River, a Traditional Boat: $45
- Private Walking Guided Cultural Stroll with Licensed Tour Expert: $53
- Rabat Shopping Tour: $55
- Private Guided City Walking Tour: $61
- 4WD adventure Todra Gorge to Dades Valley - Aventures Verticales Maroc: $63
- Private Boat Exploration Tour in Rabat: $65
- Private Guided Boat Tour in Rabat: $70
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAlbufeira €26Rabat -
Sample the Local Flavors in Albufeira
Also in Albufeira, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- 3 Hours Pub Crawl in Albufeira with Professional Party Makers: $32
- Exclusive Wine Tasting Experience in Porches (Algarve): $49
- Sunset Wine Tasting With BBQ in Porches: $49
- Porches Algarve Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting Experience: $53
- 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
- Albufeira Coast Tour with Wine Tasting and Chicken PiriPiri Lunch: $75
- From Private Lagos Tour Whith Wine Tasting: $92
- Lagos and Ponta Da Piedade Private Tour & Algarvian Wine Tasting: $106
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Albufeira and Rabat, we can see that Albufeira is more expensive. And not only is Rabat much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Albufeira is in Europe and Rabat is in Africa, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Rabat would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rabat 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 Rabat.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Albufeira Expensive? and Is Rabat Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Albufeira or Rabat?
Rabat has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Albufeira. When comparing the sizes of Albufeira and Rabat, 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 Rabat?
Albufeira has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Rabat experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Albufeira or Rabat in the Summer?
Both Rabat and Albufeira during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Albufeira in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Rabat year-round.
Albufeira is a little warmer than Rabat in the summer. The daily temperature in Albufeira averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Rabat fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Albufeira usually gets more rain in July than Rabat. Albufeira gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAlbufeira 25°C (78°F)Rabat 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Albufeira or Rabat in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Albufeira and Rabat. 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. Rabat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Albufeira is around the same temperature as Rabat. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Albufeira in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Rabat averages at about 20°C (67°F).
In October, Albufeira usually receives more rain than Rabat. Albufeira gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAlbufeira 19°C (67°F)Rabat 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Albufeira or Rabat in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Albufeira as well as Rabat. The winter months attract visitors to Albufeira because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Rabat throughout the year.
In January, Albufeira is generally cooler than Rabat. Daily temperatures in Albufeira average around 11°C (52°F), and Rabat fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
Albufeira usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Rabat. Albufeira gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAlbufeira 11°C (52°F)Rabat 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Albufeira or Rabat in the Spring?
Both Rabat and Albufeira are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Albufeira this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Rabat because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Albufeira is around the same temperature as Rabat in the spring. The daily temperature in Albufeira averages around 15°C (60°F) in April, and Rabat fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In April, Albufeira usually receives less rain than Rabat. Albufeira gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAlbufeira 15°C (60°F)Rabat 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Rabat and Albufeira
| Albufeira | Rabat | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°C (52°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (54°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (56°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 19°C (65°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (78°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (78°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (58°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 102 mm (4 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.