A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Corinth vs. Portimao for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Corinth or Portimao?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Corinth or Portimao, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Corinth

Corinth is a fascinating, ancient, and unique archeological site. Other popular activities here include museums.

Portimao

Portimao is a stunning, dramatic, and active coastal city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Corinth and Portimao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Corinth or Portimao?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Portimao. Although Corinth and Portimao are popular destinations, Portimao has more sights and attractions for tourists. Portimao is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Corinth attracts visitors for its museums. Portimao is more touristy than Corinth and is popular for it's dramatic and beautiful beaches and its many activities. It is also well known for Praia da Rocha. Corinth is famous for its historical ruins and fascinating temples.

How is Corinth different from Portimao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Corinth or Portimao?

Corinth is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Portimao does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Corinth. Visitors come to explore the ancient city of Corinth, which is now a significant archeological site. The Apollo Temple is an important landmark on the site. In a separate area you'll find the Acrocorinth, which is the ancient city's acropolis. Also a must-see is the Corinth Canal.

Portimao does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Corinth or Portimao? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Corinth and Portimao can be an enjoyable experience.

Corinth may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. There are a couple of restaurants where you can grab a quick bite to eat in the area, but most are not convenient.

Portimao offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Many resorts have attached restaurants where visitors often find themselves dining. For a slightly more local vibe, you can check out one of the many restaurants around town. Much of the restaurant scene is centered around the Alvor District where you'll find unique options that serve local dishes mixed in with some international choices. The city is most famous for its grilled sardines, which are considered a local specialty.

Is Corinth or Portimao Better for Nightlife?

Portimao is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Corinth is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Portimao has a large number of nightlife venues. The city's nightlife scene is mostly found around Praia da Rocha. It's a compact area that makes it easy to hop from bar to bar on foot. Particularly during the summer months you'll find plenty of parties and all night activities that draw a crowd. Sunset boat parties are also a popular activity in the area.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Corinth. Most people visit the archeological sights and the canal as a day trip from Athens, so nightlife is not part of their itinerary.

Is Corinth or Portimao Better for Resorts?

Portimao is an unbeatable place for its luxury resorts. However, Corinth is not a resort destination.

Portimao offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The area has all types of resorts, from all-inclusive options to luxury or more family-friendly. Many of the resorts are surprisingly affordable and offer easy access to the beach.

Corinth is not a resort destination.

Is Corinth or Portimao Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Portimao is a very popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Corinth is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Portimao to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. The best water conditions are during the summer months but this is also when the beaches are crowded and swimmers can kick up a lot of sand. There are a variety of vendors where you can book snorkeling or diving trips in the area.

Corinth is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Corinth or Portimao Better for Beaches?

Portimao is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Corinth is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Portimao are among the best in the world. The stunning beaches are a major draw to the area. They are sandy and feature a backdrop of dramatic red cliffs. The most popular beach in town is Praia da Rocha, which can get crowded during the summer months, but it is quite large so you should still be able to find a spot. The strip behind the beach is lined with shops, bars, restaurants, and a casino. If you want to avoid some of the crowds you can make the walk down to Praia do Vau. Families often enjoy Praia de Alvor, which has a boardwalk that leads to Ria de Alvor nature reserve.

Corinth is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Corinth or Portimao?

Portimao is a nice place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Corinth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Portimao has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. It's the second largest city in the Algarve so you'll find several large and modern shopping centers including Aqua Portimão.

Corinth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Corinth or Portimao Better for Families?

Portimao is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Corinth is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Portimao is an amazing family-friendly coastal city to visit. Kids will love the wide range of activities available near Portimao. They can kayak through caves, see an underwater world snorkeling, learn to surf, visit waterparks, explore nature parks, and more. There are activities that the whole family can enjoy, making this stretch of coastline the perfect option for those traveling with kids.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Corinth. These archeological ruins will have a special draw for those kids who enjoy the Percy Jackson book series. The ruins and corresponding museum tell the story of lives lived millennia ago. For kids with an active imagination, this is a fascinating place to explore.

Is Corinth or Portimao Better for Couples?

Portimao is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Corinth is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Portimao has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This beautiful stretch of coastline offers unique beaches and stunning outdoor activities. It makes a wonderful honeymoon destination for couples who enjoy adventure, pampering, and romantic resorts. There are great restaurants as well as places to relax or activities for thrill seekers.

Corinth is a nice destination for couples. An easy day trip from Athens, these archeological ruins are unique and impressive to explore for couples who enjoy history and Greek mythology.

Is Corinth or Portimao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Corinth and Portimao are both nice destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Corinth. Most visitors come as a day trip from Athens. Public transportation options are plentiful so backpackers will find this an easy, independent trip to make.

Portimao is a good archeological site to visit for backpackers. Most people think of high end resorts when they think of the Mediterranean coast, but there are a couple of hostels available for backpackers. You should also consider transportation options. While buses are available, many visitors prefer to have access to a car so they can experience the outlying regions. The good news is the area in general is not particularly expensive so you can enjoy a touch of luxury at a lower cost.

Is Corinth or Portimao Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Corinth is a good destination for its public transit. However, Portimao is not a good coastal city for times when you don't have a car.

Corinth has a few public transit options. There are buses and trains that connect Athens and Corinth but confirm that the schedule is convenient for your trip.

Public transit is mostly limited in Portimao. There are local buses around town but many routes don't run on weekends.

Is Corinth or Portimao a more walkable city?

Corinth and Portimao are reasonable when it comes to walkability.

Corinth is generally not a very walkable archeological site. Many areas are spread out, so some parts are easily walkable and others are not.

Portimao is generally not very walkable. While there are some nice walks along the coastline, the city is fairly large and spread out with many resorts located far from the center of town.

For even more information, also check out Is Corinth Worth Visiting? and Is Portimao Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Portimao or Corinth?

How long in Corinth or Portimao?

It's fun to spend time in either Corinth or Portimao. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Portimao due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Corinth, and 2-4 days is enough time in Portimao.

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

Couples should spend more time in Portimao than Corinth. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Portimao that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Portimao than Corinth 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 Portimao.

One day in Corinth or Portimao?

The archeological site of Corinth offers museums. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Portimao, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. This coastal city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Corinth or Portimao?

Corinth is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this archeological site makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Corinth, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Portimao, you'll find nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Portimao has to offer.

Five days in Corinth or Portimao?

Corinth is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Portimao is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Corinth or Portimao?

Corinth is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This archeological site offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Portimao. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Portimao. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Portugal, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Portugal.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Corinth and Portimao, we can see that Portimao is more expensive. And not only is Corinth much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Corinth would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Corinth 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 Portimao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Portimao than you might in Corinth.

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

Which is Bigger, Corinth or Portimao?

Corinth has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Portimao. When comparing the sizes of Corinth and Portimao, 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 Corinth or Portimao?

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 Corinth or Portimao in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Corinth as well as Portimao. Many travelers come to Corinth for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Portimao in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

Corinth is around the same temperature as Portimao in the summer. The daily temperature in Corinth averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Portimao fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

Corinth usually gets more rain in July than Portimao. Corinth gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Portimao receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Corinth or Portimao in the Autumn?

Both Portimao and Corinth are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Portimao for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Corinth is around the same temperature as Portimao. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Corinth in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Portimao averages at about 19°C (67°F).

In October, Corinth usually receives less rain than Portimao. Corinth gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Portimao receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Corinth or Portimao in the Winter?

Both Portimao and Corinth during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Corinth for the museums and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Portimao because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In January, Corinth is generally around the same temperature as Portimao. Daily temperatures in Corinth average around 10°C (51°F), and Portimao fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Corinth usually gets less rain in January than Portimao. Corinth gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Portimao receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Corinth or Portimao in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Corinth and Portimao. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Portimao this time of year.

Corinth is around the same temperature as Portimao in the spring. The daily temperature in Corinth averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Portimao fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

In April, Corinth usually receives less rain than Portimao. Corinth gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Portimao receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Portimao and Corinth