A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Albufeira vs. Toulon for Nightlife, Beaches, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Albufeira or Toulon?

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

Should I visit Albufeira or Toulon? 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 high energy, party hard, and vibrant resort town. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for beaches, hiking, and nightlife.

Toulon

Toulon is a real world, industrial, and authentic port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Albufeira and Toulon: Pros and Cons

How is Albufeira different from Toulon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Toulon and Albufeira. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Albufeira or Toulon Better for Food?

Foodies will find both Albufeira and Toulon both to be unique destinations.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Albufeira. 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.

Toulon is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a variety of cafes and restaurants that are found along the harbor or in the old town. Whether you want waterfront views or a charming street front cafe, there are great options available. Many restaurants offer local seafood but you'll also find pastries, traditional local food, a several Italian restaurants.

Is Albufeira or Toulon Better for Nightlife?

With more options to choose from, you'll find a more vibrant nightlife in Albufeira.

People head to Albufeira just to party. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Toulon has a few options to choose from. It's a relatively large city and traditionally a sailor's town, so the city has a long running tradition of partying into the night. While it doesn't have the party-hard reputation of some places, you likely won't be bored at night. Head to the harbor area or the beaches around Mourillon for the most lively bars and cafes.

Is Albufeira or Toulon Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Generally, you'll find better scuba diving and snorkeling in Albufeira than Toulon.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting 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.

There are few places where you can go snorkeling in Toulon. There are a few beaches in the area that are worth checking out with a mask and snorkel. You'll likely see some underwater life hanging out by the rocks in the quieter areas.

Is Albufeira or Toulon Better for Beaches?

Most people pick Albufeira for its beaches over Toulon.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Albufeira. 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.

Many people head to Toulon to enjoy the beach. The beaches are sandy and less crowded than some of the more popular areas. The most accessible beach is Mourillon Beach which has public facilities and restaurants. If you're willing to venture a little farther from the center of town you'll find to Mitre Beach which has some snorkeling. Battere Basse Beach is a bit quieter and also has snorkeling. Anse de Méjean is a popular spot with the locals.

Is Albufeira or Toulon Better for Shopping?

Toulon often provides a better shopping experience than Albufeira.

Toulon is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. If you're looking for traditional local shopping opportunities then this is your place. There are a number of traditional Provençal markets around town but the most famous is Cours Lafayette. You can shop with the locals looking for produce or flowers. There's also a weekend farmers market, Petit Cours, that is fun to explore.

Shopping in Albufeira can be found for those interested. 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.

Is Albufeira or Toulon Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Albufeira or Toulon.

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."

Toulon offers lots of family activities. The city may be known as a hub for the French navy, but there are also activities that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There are several military themed museums, a few good beaches, and local shopping. There's also the enjoyable cable car ride that you can take to the top of Mont Faron as well as several nice seaside walks in the area.

Is Albufeira or Toulon Better for Couples?

Albufeira offers a wider variety of romantic activities for couples than Toulon.

Albufeira makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Toulon is a good resort town for couples to visit. Couples will appreciate the walks along the coast or through the harbor. There are also nice restaurants, interesting art galleries, and a few good hotels around town that make for a nice couple's weekend.

Is Albufeira or Toulon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Most people consider Albufeira to be better for backpackers than Toulon.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Albufeira. 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Toulon. It doesn't have the reputation of many nearby towns along the French Riviera, so you can still find some affordable hostels and cafes in the area. You also won't find the crowds so you can enjoy a touch of the authentic local culture.

Is Albufeira or Toulon Better for Public Transit?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Albufeira and Toulon.

Public transit is generally 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.

While Toulon offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses as well as petits trains (little tourist trains) that you can take around town.

Is Albufeira or Toulon a more walkable city?

Toulon is considered more walkable than Albufeira.

Toulon is a very walkable port city. You can walk around the old town and harbor area where many of the sights are concentrated.

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.

Should I spend more time in Toulon or Albufeira?

How long in Albufeira or Toulon?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Albufeira or Toulon to fill your time. Many people usually spend more of their time in Albufeira than Toulon.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Albufeira is 3-7 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Toulon is 1-2 days.

One day in Albufeira or Toulon?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Albufeira. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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

A weekend in Albufeira or Toulon?

Albufeira is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

Five days in Albufeira or Toulon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Albufeira. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the real world port city of Toulon. 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 Toulon?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the touristy destination of Albufeira. This resort town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Toulon 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.

When is the best time to visit Albufeira or Toulon?

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 Toulon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Albufeira and Toulon. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Albufeira this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Toulon for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Albufeira is generally around the same temperature as Toulon. Temperatures in Albufeira average around 25°C (78°F), and Toulon stays around 24°C (75°F).

In July, Albufeira usually receives less rain than Toulon. Albufeira gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Albufeira or Toulon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Albufeira as well as Toulon. Many travelers come to Albufeira for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Toulon in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Albufeira is a little warmer than Toulon in the autumn. The temperature in Albufeira is usually 19°C (67°F) in October, and Toulon stays around 16°C (61°F).

Albufeira usually gets less rain in October than Toulon. Albufeira gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Albufeira or Toulon in the Winter?

Both Toulon and Albufeira are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Albufeira in the winter for the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Toulon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Albufeira is much warmer than Toulon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Albufeira in January are around 11°C (52°F), and Toulon is about 7°C (44°F).

In January, Albufeira usually receives around the same amount of rain as Toulon. Albufeira gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Albufeira or Toulon in the Spring?

Both Toulon and Albufeira during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Albufeira for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Toulon because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Albufeira is generally a little warmer than Toulon. Temperatures in Albufeira average around 15°C (60°F), and Toulon stays around 13°C (56°F).

Albufeira usually gets less rain in April than Toulon. Albufeira gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Toulon and Albufeira