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

Should you visit Portimao or Marrakech?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Portimao and Marrakech. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

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.

Marrakech

Marrakech is a ancient, cultural, and high-energy city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Portimao and Marrakech: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Portimao or Marrakech?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Marrakech. Although Portimao and Marrakech are popular destinations, Marrakech has more sights and attractions for tourists. Marrakech is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Portimao attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Portimao is famous for it's dramatic and beautiful beaches and its many activities. Marrakech is famous for its colorful medina, festive night market, and beautiful palaces. It is also well known for Jemaa el-Fnaa Square.

How is Portimao different from Marrakech?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Marrakech 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 Marrakech. While wandering the medina is an attraction in and of itself, there are also several sights that you should specifically check out. The iconic Djemaa el-Fnaa, or the city's main square, is best visited as the sun goes down. Other notable landmarks include Koutoubia Mosque, Majorelle Gardens, and Medersa Ben Youssef.

Portimao does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marrakech is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Portimao is not a good coastal city for its restaurants.

Dining out in Marrakech is an experience not to be missed. Moroccan food is amazing and you'll enjoy grilled meats, tagines, couscous, and more. The city is more touristy than some parts of Morocco so you'll find the quality of the food can vary a bit, but it's still a culinary delight. Marrakesh is also a great city for taking a cooking class.

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 Portimao or Marrakech Better for Nightlife?

Portimao is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Marrakech is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Portimao has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Marrakech has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Although alcohol is hard to come by, you'll find it in most western style restaurants and high end hotel chains. The city has more bars and nightclubs than you'd expect. There's also a great nighttime energy with many locals heading outside in the evening. Jemaa el-Fnaa, the main square, comes to life with street vendors, performers, and people during the nighttime hours.

Is Portimao or Marrakech Better for Resorts?

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

For the ultimate resort vacation, Portimao is a great choice. 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.

Marrakech is not a resort destination.

Is Portimao or Marrakech Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Portimao is an excellent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Marrakech is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Portimao. 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.

Marrakech is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Portimao or Marrakech Better for Beaches?

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

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

Marrakech is not a beach destination.

Is Portimao or Marrakech Better for its Old Town?

Marrakech is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Portimao does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Marrakech is one of the most recognized in the world. The historic medina is filled with spices, antiques, art, and pottery. The culture and experience of wandering the medina will have you feeling like you stepped back in time.

Portimao does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Portimao or Marrakech?

Marrakech is renowned for its shopping areas. Also, Portimao is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for shopping.

Marrakech is a world class destination for shoppers. Shop your way through the street stalls and sample perfumes, spices, produce, and more. You'll find everything from souvenir trinkets to local items and authentic antiques.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Portimao. It's the second largest city in the Algarve so you'll find several large and modern shopping centers including Aqua Portimão.

Is Portimao or Marrakech Better for Families?

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

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Portimao is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Marrakech is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy exploring a new culture and wandering through the medina. The food is very kid-friendly and during the evening the main square, Jemaa el-Fnaa, comes to life with street performers, vendors, and entertainment. Families can also take cooking classes or head into the desert for a camel trek.

Is Portimao or Marrakech Better for Couples?

Portimao and Marrakech both amazing destinations for a couple.

Portimao is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Marrakech makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. There are many wonderful restaurants and fascinating places for couples to explores. Wandering the medina or visiting the gardens make for a romantic and adventurous getaway.

Is Portimao or Marrakech Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marrakech is renowned for backpackers. Also, Portimao is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Marrakech is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. The city is very affordable and there are countless riads that are budget-friendly. There are enough backpackers around town that it's not hard to meet fellow travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Portimao. 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 Portimao or Marrakech Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Portimao is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Marrakech is lacking in options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Marrakech. While there are local buses, most people take taxis around town when they can't walk. Taxis are affordable and convenient.

Is Portimao or Marrakech a more walkable city?

Marrakech is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Portimao is not a good coastal city for its walkability.

Marrakech is a very walkable destination. The medina is the best area to walk around but it's very easy to get lost. Outside of the medina you'll want to keep your eyes open for motorbikes and the occasional donkey.

Portimao is generally not a very walkable coastal city. 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 Portimao Worth Visiting? and Is Marrakech Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marrakech or Portimao?

How long in Portimao or Marrakech?

Both Portimao and Marrakech have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Marrakech than in Portimao. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Portimao, and 3-7 days is enough time in Marrakech.

Families should spend more time in Portimao than Marrakech. 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.

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

One day in Portimao or Marrakech?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the coastal city of Portimao. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Marrakech is a big city with plenty to do. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Portimao or Marrakech?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the adventure-filled destination of Portimao. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Marrakech is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Portimao or Marrakech?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the adventure-filled coastal city of Portimao. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the beaches. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Marrakech is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Marrakech, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Portimao or Marrakech?

Portimao is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

Marrakech is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. It is common to spend one week here. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Marrakech has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Portugal, The Best Bicycle Tours in Portugal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Portimao or Marrakech?

Marrakech has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Portimao. When comparing the sizes of Portimao and Marrakech, 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.