A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Albufeira vs. Saint-Etienne for Nightlife, Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Albufeira or Saint-Etienne?

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

Should I visit Albufeira or Saint-Etienne? 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 party hard, vibrant, and touristy resort town. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a historic, park-filled, and industrial city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

Albufeira and Saint-Etienne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Albufeira or Saint-Etienne?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Albufeira than Saint-Etienne, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Albufeira is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Saint-Etienne is more popular for its museums. Albufeira is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is popular for its golden beaches and limestone cliffs. Also, Albufeira is famous for Praia da Falesia. Saint-Etienne is well known for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Albufeira different from Saint-Etienne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

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

Saint-Etienne offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

Albufeira does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Albufeira or Saint-Etienne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Albufeira is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Albufeira has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Albufeira or Saint-Etienne Better for Nightlife?

Albufeira is an amazing resort town to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Albufeira has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Saint-Etienne. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Is Albufeira or Saint-Etienne Better for Resorts?

Albufeira is an amazing resort town to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Saint-Etienne is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Albufeira for its luxury resorts. 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.

Saint-Etienne is not a resort destination.

Is Albufeira or Saint-Etienne Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Albufeira is great for its diving and snorkeling. However, Saint-Etienne is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Albufeira. 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.

Saint-Etienne is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Albufeira or Saint-Etienne Better for Beaches?

Albufeira is an amazing resort town to visit for the beache. However, Saint-Etienne is not a beach destination.

Albufeira offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. 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.

Saint-Etienne is not a beach destination.

Is Albufeira or Saint-Etienne Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Albufeira and Saint-Etienne both have notable trails.

Albufeira is a good destination for hiking. 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.

Many people include a hike when visiting Saint-Etienne. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Is the Shopping Better in Albufeira or Saint-Etienne?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Saint-Etienne and Albufeira.

If you're looking to go shopping, Albufeira has some nice offerings. 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.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Albufeira or Saint-Etienne Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Albufeira or Saint-Etienne.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Albufeira. 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."

Saint-Etienne offers lots of family activities. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

Is Albufeira or Saint-Etienne Better for Couples?

Albufeira is an amazing resort town to visit for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

Albufeira is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Albufeira or Saint-Etienne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Albufeira is an amazing resort town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Albufeira is extremely popular for backpackers. 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.

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

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

Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are tram and bus options available in town.

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 Saint-Etienne a more walkable city?

Saint-Etienne is a popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Albufeira is a resort town with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable place. There are several walkable areas in the city.

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 Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint-Etienne or Albufeira?

How long in Albufeira or Saint-Etienne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Albufeira or Saint-Etienne to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Albufeira than Saint-Etienne because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Albufeira, and 1-2 days is enough time in Saint-Etienne.

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

Couples should spend more time in Albufeira than Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting the party hard destination of Albufeira. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find nightlife and museums around the city of Saint-Etienne. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Saint-Etienne has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Albufeira or Saint-Etienne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Albufeira. Most people come for the beaches. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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

Five days in Albufeira or Saint-Etienne?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the vibrant destination of Albufeira. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This resort town offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the park-filled city of Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting the beautiful resort town of Albufeira. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Saint-Etienne 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Albufeira or Saint-Etienne?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Albufeira. When comparing the sizes of Albufeira and Saint-Etienne, 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 Saint-Etienne?

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 Saint-Etienne in the Summer?

Both Saint-Etienne and Albufeira during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Albufeira for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Albufeira is a little warmer than Saint-Etienne in the summer. The daily temperature in Albufeira averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

Albufeira usually gets less rain in July than Saint-Etienne. Albufeira gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Albufeira or Saint-Etienne in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Albufeira and Saint-Etienne. 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. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year.

In the autumn, Albufeira is a little warmer than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Albufeira in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 14°C (56°F).

In October, Albufeira usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Albufeira gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Albufeira or Saint-Etienne in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Albufeira as well as Saint-Etienne. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Albufeira this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint-Etienne. In January, Albufeira is generally much warmer than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Albufeira average around 11°C (52°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Albufeira usually gets more rain in January than Saint-Etienne. Albufeira gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Albufeira or Saint-Etienne in the Spring?

Both Saint-Etienne and Albufeira are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Albufeira for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the spring for the natural beauty.

Albufeira is a little warmer than Saint-Etienne in the spring. The daily temperature in Albufeira averages around 15°C (60°F) in April, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

In April, Albufeira usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Albufeira gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Albufeira