Which place is cheaper, Albufeira or Ericeira?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Ericeira or Albufeira?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Ericeira and Albufeira can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Ericeira or Albufeira?
Ericeira
Beneath an indigo sky, a city perches at the edge of sandstone cliffs that overlook the vast expanse of the Atlantic. A seaside resort and fishing community, Ericeira is located in western Portugal within the municipality of Mafra. A picturesque village, Ericeira is quaint, quiet, and absolutely breathtaking with a population of no more than 10,260. Because of its blue waters and pristine coastlines, it has been named the Surfing Mecca of Europe. The town was a famous summer retreat for the families of Lisbon during the 1940s and 1950s and still remains so today for families beyond Lisbon's borders. Ericeira also has a World Surfing Reserve, the first in Europe and second in the world. Besides the many beaches on Ericeira, including Ribeira d'Ilhas, Pescadores, and Mataduoro, the town also has a park called Parque de Santa Maria as well as an old town center that has a collection of cafes, shops, restaurants, and bars. There are also some important landmarks that can be explored as no more than a brief visit, such as Forte Mil Regos and Casa De Cultura Jaime Lobo E. Silvs. Whether you are a surfer, fisher, or simply a lover of the beach, Ericeira is the perfect place for those who wish to experience the Atlantic like never before.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Portugal, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lisbon, The Best 10-Day Tours from Lisbon, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Porto.
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Ericeira Prices
Portugal PricesAlbufeira Prices
Portugal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEriceira €118Albufeira €183
The average daily cost (per person) in Ericeira is €118, while the average daily cost in Albufeira is €183. 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 Ericeira and Albufeira in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEriceira €51Albufeira €74
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEriceira €102Albufeira €148
Compare Hotels in Ericeira and Albufeira
Looking for a hotel in Ericeira or Albufeira? 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.
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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ericeira €25Albufeira €34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ericeira
Also for Ericeira, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Lisbon Airport to Ericeira: $52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Albufeira
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Albufeira:
- Private Transfer Algarve to Lisbon or Return Trip: $232
- Private Transfer from Cacela Velha to Faro (FAO) Airport: $136
- Private Transfer from Sao Bartolomeu de Messines to Faro (FAO) Airport: $131
- Private Transfer from Pera to Faro (FAO) Airport: $122
- Private Transfer From Albufeira To Faro Airport By Minibus: $111
- Private Transfer from Villa Guerreiro (Albufeira) to Faro (FAO) Airport: $97
- Private Transfer from Monte Gordo to Faro Airport (1-4 pax): $93
- Private Transfer from Ferreiras to Faro (FAO) Airport: $87
- Private Group Transfers from Albufeira to Faro Airport: $75
- Private Transfer from Albufeira to Faro Airport (5 to 8 pax): $63
- From Slide & Splash Waterpark One-Way Transfer: $62
- Private Transfer to Faro Albufeira Alvor Seville Lisbon and Lagos: $57
Is it cheaper to fly into Ericeira or Albufeira?
Prices for flights to both Albufeira and Ericeira 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
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Food Meals for one dayEriceira €44Albufeira €82
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ericeira
For Ericeira, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Ericeira Private Tour: 10 Tastings Food Tour: $118
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Albufeira
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Albufeira.
- Portuguese Dinner and Cocktail Experience with Pick up: $56
- Portuguese Traditional Dinner and Cocktail Experience: $57
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ericeira €26Albufeira €39
Tours and Activities in Ericeira
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ericeira.
- Surf School Experience & Equipment Rental: $57
- Highlights & Culinary Kickstart of Ericeira | PRIVATE Tour: $107
- Tour por Mafra, Ericeira, Azenhas do Mar e Cabo da Roca: $159
- Lisbon: Wellington's Defensive Lines Tour: $394
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: $203
- Paderne Adventure Quad Ride: $87
- 2 hour Kayak and Jeep Tour Albufeira Caves: $68
- 3 Hour Benagil Sunset and Coastline Boat Tour in Albufeira: $38
- 3 Hour Cruise Experience from Vilamoura: $35
- 70 Minutes Guided Secrets of Albufeira Walking Tour: $23
- Albufeira 1.5 hour Off-Road Tour Buggy Adventure Tour: $61
- Albufeira 1.5 hour Off-Road Tour Quad Adventure Tour: $43
- Albufeira 1.5-Hour Off-road Quad Tour: $95
- Albufeira 3 hour Off-Road Tour Buggy Adventure Tour: $90
- Albufeira 3 hour Off-Road Tour Quad Adventure Tour: $75
- Albufeira Beach BBQ with Caves and Coastline Cruise with Open Bar: $81
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEriceira €17Albufeira €26
Sample the Local Flavors in Ericeira
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Ericeira:
- Private Portuguese Wine Tasting - 4 Wines & Snacks: $62
Sample the Local Flavors in Albufeira
Also in Albufeira, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- 5 Bars and 1 Nightclub Pub Crawl with Free Shots: $20
- Wine Tasting Tour in Algarve Winery : $61
- Albufeira/Vilamoura: Winery Tour with Wine Tasting and Tapas: $67
- Half Day Safari Tour with Wine Tasting: $67
- Small-Group Wine Tour & Silves Exploration (from Albufeira): $75
- Benagil Adventure: Jeep and Boat Tour with Wine Tasting: $75
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ericeira and Albufeira, we can see that Albufeira is more expensive. And not only is Ericeira much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ericeira would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ericeira 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 Ericeira.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ericeira Expensive? and Is Albufeira Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ericeira or Albufeira?
Albufeira has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Ericeira. When comparing the sizes of Ericeira and Albufeira, 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 Ericeira or Albufeira?
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 Ericeira or Albufeira in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Ericeira as well as Albufeira. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Albufeira because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Ericeira is generally around the same temperature as Albufeira. Daily temperatures in Ericeira average around 23°C (73°F), and Albufeira fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).
Ericeira usually gets more rain in July than Albufeira. Ericeira gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Albufeira receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyEriceira 23°C (73°F)Albufeira 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Ericeira or Albufeira in the Autumn?
Both Albufeira and Ericeira are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Albufeira this time of year.
Ericeira is around the same temperature as Albufeira in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ericeira averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Albufeira fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).
In October, Ericeira usually receives more rain than Albufeira. Ericeira gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Albufeira receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberEriceira 19°C (66°F)Albufeira 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Ericeira or Albufeira in the Winter?
Both Albufeira and Ericeira during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Albufeira for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
In the winter, Ericeira is around the same temperature as Albufeira. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ericeira in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Albufeira averages at about 11°C (52°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Ericeira. Ericeira usually gets more rain in January than Albufeira. Ericeira gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Albufeira receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryEriceira 12°C (53°F)Albufeira 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Ericeira or Albufeira in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ericeira and Albufeira. Furthermore, many visitors come to Albufeira in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In April, Ericeira is generally around the same temperature as Albufeira. Daily temperatures in Ericeira average around 16°C (60°F), and Albufeira fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).
In April, Ericeira usually receives more rain than Albufeira. Ericeira gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Albufeira receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilEriceira 16°C (60°F)Albufeira 15°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Albufeira and Ericeira
| Ericeira | Albufeira | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.