A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Albufeira vs. Urbino for Nightlife, Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Albufeira or Urbino?

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

Should I visit Albufeira or Urbino? 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 activity-filled, high energy, and party hard resort town. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Urbino

Urbino is a laid back, historic, and undiscovered town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Albufeira and Urbino: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Albufeira or Urbino?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Albufeira. Although Albufeira and Urbino are both popular with visitors, Albufeira has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Albufeira is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and big city activities, while Urbino is known for its museums, historical sights, and shopping. Albufeira is more touristy than Urbino and is popular for its golden beaches and limestone cliffs. It is also home to Praia da Falesia. Urbino is popular for its Renaissance walls, historic center, and authentic atmosphere.

How is Albufeira different from Urbino?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Urbino 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 Urbino?

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

Urbino offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. At the heart of the city are its historical sights. The cathedral is worth a visit, as is The Ducal Palace, but for most visitors, simply soaking up the town's atmosphere is the best experience.

Albufeira does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Albufeira or Urbino? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Albufeira and Urbino both to be excellent 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.

Urbino has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city's history has influenced its cuisine. Traditional foods include cornbread, truffles, and meat sausage. While these options aren't as common today, you can still find them if you seek them out.

Is Albufeira or Urbino Better for Nightlife?

Albufeira is an amazing resort town to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife.

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 Urbino. Because of the large student population, there are usually some fun activities going on at night. You'll find some good bars around town that are fun to hang out at.

Is Albufeira or Urbino Better for Resorts?

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

Albufeira is a world class resort vacation destination. 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.

Urbino is not a resort destination.

Is Albufeira or Urbino Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Albufeira is great for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Urbino is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Albufeira is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. 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.

Urbino is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Albufeira or Urbino Better for Beaches?

Albufeira is an amazing resort town to visit for the beach. However, Urbino is not a beach destination.

Albufeira is considered to be a world-class beach destination. 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.

Urbino is not a beach destination.

Is Albufeira or Urbino Better for its Old Town?

Urbino is a popular place for its old town. However, Albufeira does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Urbino to see the old town. The historic center feels a bit undiscovered by Italian standards. There are stone houses and the town is built on a steep hill, giving it a beautiful setting.

Albufeira does not have a historic old town.

Is Albufeira or Urbino Better for Hiking?

Albufeira is a resort town with good options for hiking. However, Urbino is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Albufeira. 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.

Urbino is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Albufeira or Urbino?

Urbino is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Albufeira is a resort town with minimal options for its shopping areas.

Urbino offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find galleries, book shops, and jewelry stores around town that are fun to pop into.

Albufeira has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. 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 Urbino Better for Families?

Albufeira is a resort town with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Urbino is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Albufeira offers lots of family activities. 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."

Urbino is not the most family-friendly destination. The city is filled with history and architecture, which may be lost on the kids. There are the classic Italian restaurants which is a favorite among kids and adults alike.

Is Albufeira or Urbino Better for Couples?

Albufeira is an amazing resort town to visit for couples. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

Albufeira is a great resort town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

Urbino is a very popular place to visit for couples. This walled city is fun to explore and can make for a great romantic stop. The city is walled and has many historical buildings which couples will enjoy learning about together.

Is Albufeira or Urbino Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

A large number of backpackers visit Albufeira, as it is a very popular resort town for budget travelers. 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.

Urbino is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not well known by backpackers and there are a very limited number of hostels in the area.

Is Albufeira or Urbino Better for Students?

Urbino is a great destination for students. However, Albufeira is not popular with students.

Urbino is a very popular town for students and younger travelers. The student population is a large part of this small city. University students are usually happy and enjoy many activities and outings into the surrounding area.

Albufeira is not popular with students.

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

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

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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Urbino. The town is accessible by bus but not by train.

Is Albufeira or Urbino a more walkable city?

Urbino 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.

Urbino is a somewhat walkable place. Many parts of the city are easy to explore on foot.

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 Urbino Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Urbino or Albufeira?

How long in Albufeira or Urbino?

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

Families should spend more time in Albufeira than Urbino. 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 Urbino. 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 Urbino 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 Urbino?

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 town of Urbino. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Urbino has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Albufeira or Urbino?

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 undiscovered destination of Urbino. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Albufeira or Urbino?

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 historic town of Urbino. 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 Urbino?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the vibrant 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.

Urbino 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 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Albufeira or Urbino?

Albufeira has a larger population, and is about 4% larger than the population of Urbino. When comparing the sizes of Albufeira and Urbino, 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 Urbino?

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 Urbino in the Summer?

Both Urbino 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Urbino for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Albufeira is a little warmer than Urbino. Typically, the summer temperatures in Albufeira in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Urbino averages at about 23°C (73°F).

Albufeira usually gets less rain in July than Urbino. Albufeira gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Albufeira or Urbino in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Albufeira and Urbino. 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. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Urbino because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Albufeira is generally a little warmer than Urbino. Daily temperatures in Albufeira average around 19°C (67°F), and Urbino fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In October, Albufeira usually receives less rain than Urbino. Albufeira gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Albufeira or Urbino in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Albufeira as well as Urbino. The winter months attract visitors to Albufeira because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Urbino this time of year.

It's quite cold in Urbino in the winter. Albufeira is much warmer than Urbino in the winter. The daily temperature in Albufeira averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Urbino fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Albufeira usually gets more rain in January than Urbino. Albufeira gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Albufeira or Urbino in the Spring?

Both Urbino 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. Also, many travelers come to Urbino for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Albufeira is a little warmer than Urbino. Typically, the spring temperatures in Albufeira in April average around 15°C (60°F), and Urbino averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In April, Albufeira usually receives less rain than Urbino. Albufeira gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Urbino and Albufeira