A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Albufeira vs. Tangier for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Albufeira or Tangier?

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

Should I visit Albufeira or Tangier? 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 Tangier?

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.

Tangier

Welcome to the gateway to Africa. Sitting on the coast of the Strait of Gibraltar, Tangier, Morocco has historically served as the meeting point of the Mediterranean and Africa.

After World War II, this city became a destination for eccentric foreigners, artists, spies and hippies. After that, the city was neglected and gained a horrible reputation for the hustlers cheating visitors left and right.

In 1999 Morocco saw the beginning of a new monarch who was more progressive with his vision for tourism. This message lit a fire under Tangier, helping the people see the amazing potential in their great city. They built a new port, a new business district and revamped the airport. The beaches and streets have been cleaned up of trash and hustlers and there's a sudden surge in cultural activities.

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 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Tangier or Albufeira?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Albufeira is €148, while the average daily cost in Tangier is €57. 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 Tangier in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Albufeira 74
    Tangier 22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Albufeira 148
    Tangier 44
Compare Hotels in Albufeira and Tangier

Looking for a hotel in Albufeira or Tangier? 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.

Hotels in Albufeira


Hotels in Tangier


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 Tangier Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Albufeira 34
    Tangier 22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Albufeira

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Albufeira:

  • From One Way Private Transfer to Seville by Van: $426
  • Private transfer from Albufeira to Lisbon with 2 hours sightseeing: $283
  • Transfer Vila Real de Santo Antonio - Alto Golf Pestana (Alvor): $163
  • Transfer Vila Nova de Cacela - Alamos Golf (Portimão): $151
  • Private Transfer from Vila Real de Santo António to Faro (FAO) Airport: $131
  • Private Airport Transfer To Albufeira Area: $108
  • Transfer Alcantarilha - Benamor Golf (Conceição): $99
  • Private Airport Transfer To Albufeira Area: $98
  • Private Transfer from Cacela Velha to Faro (FAO) Airport: $89
  • Faro Airport (Algarve) Departure Transfer (Vilamoura Hotels to Faro Airport): $88
  • Transfer Galé - Benamor Golf (Conceição): $88
  • Transfer Albufeira - Benamor Golf (Conceição): $88

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tangier

Also for Tangier, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer From Tangier To Fez: $126
  • "Fez to Marrakech: Enjoy a Private Transfer for a Smooth Journey": $205
  • Airport Transfer to Tanger City : $26
  • Casablanca Airport Arrival To Tanger Private Transfer: $218
  • Door to door transfer from Tangier to Fes: $289
  • From Fes: Transfer to Tangier passing by Chefchaouen: $96
  • From Private Transfer to Fes: $272
  • From Transfer to Fez via Chefchaouen and Volubilis: $247
  • Luxury door to door transfer in Tangier: $58
  • Luxury transfer from Tangier to Tamuda bay or vice versa: $231
  • One Way transfer from Fes to Tanger passing by chefchaouen: $83
  • One way Transfer Tangier to Chefchaouen or vice versa: $141

Is it cheaper to fly into Albufeira or Tangier?

Prices for flights to both Tangier 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Albufeira 48
    Tangier 19

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Albufeira

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Albufeira.

  • Dinner at the Vineyards in Lagoa: $60
  • Sunset Safari with Traditional Dinner : $65
  • 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

Typical Food Prices in Tangier

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tangier:


  • Fruit & Yogurt
    1.59

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tangier

For Tangier, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Tangier Private Food Tour with Local Guide: $30
  • Tanger Local Street food tours: $60
  • Tangier Private Cooking Class With a Local Family: $65
  • 3 Hour Private Moroccan Food Tour in Tanger : $66
  • Inclusive Beach Camel Ride, Cap Spartel, Hercules & Full Dinner: $66
  • Tangier Food Tour with a certified guide!: $71
  • Morocco Food Cooking Class and Tangier City Tour: $71
  • Tangier food tour : $71
  • Moroccan 3-in-1 Cooking Experience: $74
  • Tangier Food Tour with a certified local guide!: $74
  • The Food tour of Tangier: $76
  • Moroccan 3 in 1 Cooking Experience: $76

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Albufeira 39
    Tangier 18

Tours and Activities in Albufeira

Here are a few actual costs in Albufeira for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Full Day Private Tour in Silves and Coast Gems: $190
  • Safari Experience with Traditional Tapas: $76
  • 3 Hour Benagil Sunset and Coastline Boat Tour in Albufeira: $36
  • 3 Hour Cruise Experience from Vilamoura: $33
  • 70 Minutes Guided Old Ruins Walking Tour in Albufeira: $22
  • 70 Minutes Guided Secrets of Albufeira Walking Tour: $22
  • Adventure between friends - Private safari, from 1 to 6 PAX: $162
  • 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: $44
  • Albufeira 2 hour Off-Road Tour Buggy Adventure Tour: $49
  • Albufeira 2 hour Off-Road Tour Quad Adventure Tour: $35

Tours and Activities in Tangier

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tangier.

  • Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus: $14
  • Tangier City Tour Bus Hop On - Hop Off: $14
  • Private Tangier Shopping Tour with Local Guide: $15
  • From Marrakesh: Discover Essaouira Full-Day Tour: $17
  • Tangier walking tour: $17
  • Tangier Private Walking Tour with a Guide: $25
  • Tangier Guided Walking Experience: $26
  • Tangier Private Walking Tour: $26
  • 3 Hours Tangier walking Tour in Old Medina,Kasbah & berber market: $30
  • Tangier Highlights Tour: Exploring the Cultural Gems: $31
  • 3 Hours Small Group Guided Tour of Tangier: $31
  • Private Mountain Bike Tours in Tangier : $33

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Albufeira 26
    Tangier 9.87

Sample the Local Flavors in Albufeira

Also in Albufeira, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Sunset Wine Tasting With BBQ in Porches: $49
  • Porches Algarve Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting Experience: $53
  • Half Day Safari Tour with Wine Tasting: $57
  • Wine Tasting Tour in Algarve Winery : $58
  • Winery Tour with Wine Tasting and Tapas: $63
  • Small-Group Wine Tour & Silves Exploration (from Albufeira): $67
  • Wine Tour and Tasting - Semi-Private from Albufeira: $71
  • Albufeira Coast Tour w/ Wine tasting & Chicken lunch: $73
  • 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
  • Full day Tour in Silves with Wine Tasting: $131


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

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


Which is Bigger, Albufeira or Tangier?

Tangier has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Albufeira. When comparing the sizes of Albufeira and Tangier, 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 Tangier?

Albufeira has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Tangier experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Albufeira or Tangier in the Summer?

Both Tangier 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 Tangier year-round.

In July, Albufeira is generally around the same temperature as Tangier. Daily temperatures in Albufeira average around 25°C (78°F), and Tangier fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).

Albufeira usually gets less rain in July than Tangier. Albufeira gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Tangier receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Albufeira 25°C (78°F) 
    Tangier 24°C (74°F)

Should I visit Albufeira or Tangier in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Albufeira and Tangier. 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. Tangier attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Albufeira is around the same temperature as Tangier in the autumn. The daily temperature in Albufeira averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Tangier fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In October, Albufeira usually receives around the same amount of rain as Tangier. Albufeira gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Tangier receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Albufeira 19°C (67°F) 
    Tangier 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Albufeira or Tangier in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Albufeira as well as Tangier. The winter months attract visitors to Albufeira because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tangier throughout the year.

In the winter, Albufeira is cooler than Tangier. Typically, the winter temperatures in Albufeira in January average around 11°C (52°F), and Tangier averages at about 13°C (55°F).

It's quite rainy in Tangier. Albufeira usually gets less rain in January than Tangier. Albufeira gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Tangier receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Albufeira 11°C (52°F) 
    Tangier 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Albufeira or Tangier in the Spring?

Both Tangier 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 Tangier because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Albufeira is generally around the same temperature as Tangier. Daily temperatures in Albufeira average around 15°C (60°F), and Tangier fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

In April, Albufeira usually receives less rain than Tangier. Albufeira gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Tangier receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Albufeira 15°C (60°F) 
    Tangier 15°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Tangier and Albufeira

Albufeira Tangier
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 11°C (52°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Feb 12°C (54°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 13°C (56°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Mar 14°C (56°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 14°C (57°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 15°C (60°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 15°C (60°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
May 19°C (65°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 18°C (64°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 23°C (73°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 21°C (69°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Jul 25°C (78°F) 1 mm (0 in) 24°C (74°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) 15 mm (0.6 in)
Oct 19°C (67°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 20°C (68°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 15°C (58°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 16°C (61°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
Dec 12°C (53°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 13°C (56°F) 129 mm (5.1 in)