A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Portimao vs. Olympos for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Portimao or Olympos?

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 Olympos. 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.

Where Should I go: Portimao or Olympos?

Portimao

The second biggest city in the Alrgarve region of Portugal, Portimao sits on the coast where the Arade River meets the Atlantic Ocean. It is renowned for its fresh fish restaurants and is also a popular destination for beachgoers at the Praia da Rocha to the south of the city.

Olympos

Olympos was an ancient city in Lycia, situated in a river valley near the coast. Its ruins are located south of the modern town Cirali in the Kumluca district of Antalya Province, Turkey. An important Lycian city in the 2nd century BC, Olympos is more famous these days for being the beach resort of choice for backpackers. Staying in an Olympos 'tree house' at one of the dozen-or-so camps that line the path to the ruins and beach has long been the stuff of travel legend. The former hippy-trail hot-spot has been considerably renovated in past years and during summer can be pretty overcrowded. Olympos offers good value and an up-for-it party atmosphere in a lovely setting.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Portugal, The Best Bicycle Tours in Portugal, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Turkey, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey.


Which place is cheaper, Olympos or Portimao?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Portimao is €152, while the average daily cost in Olympos is €89. 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 Portimao and Olympos in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Portimao 78
    Olympos 40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Portimao 156
    Olympos 80
Compare Hotels in Portimao and Olympos

Looking for a hotel in Portimao or Olympos? 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.

Hotels in Portimao


Hotels in Olympos


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: Portimao Hotel Prices and Olympos Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Portimao 37
    Olympos 28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Portimao

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Portimao:

  • Transfer From Portimão Algarve To Lisboa: $244
  • Private Transfer from Monte Ruivo to Faro (FAO) Airport: $236
  • Private Airport Transfer To Armação De Pera Area: $114
  • Private Transfer from Estombar to Faro (FAO) Airport: $94
  • Private Transfer from Lagoa to Faro (FAO) Airport: $93
  • Private Transfer from Algoz to Faro (FAO) Airport: $81
  • Transfer Lagoa - Boavista Golf (Lagos): $60
  • Transfer Portimão - Balaia Golf (Albufeira): $59
  • Transfer Alvor - Balaia Golf (Albufeira): $58
  • Private Transfer from Armaçao de Pera to Faro (FAO) Airport: $55
  • Transfer Alvor - Boavista Golf (Lagos): $49
  • Transfer Ferragudo - Boavista Golf (Lagos): $49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Olympos

Also for Olympos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Kemer Full Day Pirate Boat Trip with Lunch and Optional Transfer: $10
  • Kemer Pirate Boat Trip with transfer from Belek: $15
  • Kemer Pirate Boat Trip With Lunch & Free Hotel Transfer: $20
  • Suluada Boat Tour From Antalya (Maldives of Turkey) with Lunch & Hotel Transfer: $20
  • Kemer Mega Star Boat Trip With Hotel Transfer and Lunch : $20
  • Kemer Suluada Boat Tour (Maldives of Turkey) With Hotel Transfer: $20
  • Kemer to Antalya Ariport (AYT) - Departure Private Transfer: $22
  • Scuba Diving Tour in Kemer with Lunch and Transfer: $22
  • Kemer to Antalya Ariport (AYT) - Departure Private Transfer: $24
  • Kemer Horse Riding Experience with Transfer: $39
  • Kemer Jeep Safari With Free Hotel Transfer & Lunch: $40
  • Scuba Diving Tour in Kemer with Lunch and Transfer: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Portimao or Olympos?

Prices for flights to both Olympos and Portimao 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Portimao 45
    Olympos 28

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Portimao

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Portimao.

  • Algarve wine tour and mountain top trip with lunch or dinner at sunset time: $147

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Olympos

For Olympos, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Olympos, Cirali, Chimera Night Tour with Dinner at Ulupinar : $33
  • Kemer Olympos & Yanartas Sunset Jeep Tour with Dinner: $35

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Portimao 41
    Olympos 28

Tours and Activities in Portimao

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Portimao are as follows:

  • Kayak Tours to Benagil & Marine caves - From Benagil Beach: $38
  • Portimão to Benagil: Adrenaline Wave - 90Mins Cave Tour: $25
  • 1 Hour and 30 Minutes Benagil Caves Kayak Tour: $36
  • 2 Hours Cruise Portimão to Benagil Cave & Marinha Beach: $27
  • Afternoon Sailing and Caves Tour from Portimao: $39
  • Albufeira - Salgados Reserve Segway Tour: $65
  • Algarve - Exclusive horseriding in Portimao (no experience required): $55
  • Algarve Coast Guided Boat Tour: $38
  • Algarve Jeep Safari tours: $49
  • Alone in Benagil, perfect pictures Kayak tour with @StarToursAlgarve: $60
  • Benagil & Marinha Boat Tour: $38
  • Benagil Cave Guided Kayaking Tour Caves & Secret Spots : $38

Tours and Activities in Olympos

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Olympos.

  • Spa Experience in Kemer with Pickup: $18
  • Turkish Bath Experience in Kemer: $20
  • Goynuk Canyon Tour with Entrance Ticket: $25
  • 2-in-1 Canyoning and White Water Rafting Adventure with Lunch From Kemer: $25
  • Scuba Diving Tour in Kemer Turkey with Two Dives and Lunch: $26
  • Pirate Boat Tour on the Beautiful Bays of Kemer: $27
  • Kemer Scuba Diving Experience: $27
  • Kemer Scuba Diving Experience: Two Dives with Lunch : $30
  • Antalya Full-Day City Tour From Kemer With Cable Car : $30
  • Safari Adventure in the mountains from Kemer: $32
  • Full-day Boat Tour from Kemer with Lunch and Foam Party: $33
  • Demre Myra Tour with Kekova Sunken City Boat Trip From Kemer: $36

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Portimao 30
    Olympos 17

Sample the Local Flavors in Portimao

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Portimao:

  • Algarve Wine Tasting & Music Experience: $60
  • Algarve Wine Tour of Two Wine Estates: $74
  • Algarve wine tour of 2 wine estates and lunch at the countryside: $154
  • Alentejo Wine Tour from the Algarve: $210


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

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



When is the best time to visit Portimao or Olympos?

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 Portimao or Olympos in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Portimao as well as Olympos. The beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Portimao this time of year.

In the summer, Portimao is around the same temperature as Olympos. Typically, the summer temperatures in Portimao in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Olympos averages at about 27°C (80°F).

Portimao usually gets less rain in July than Olympos. Portimao gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Olympos receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Portimao 25°C (78°F) 
    Olympos 27°C (80°F)

Should I visit Portimao or Olympos in the Autumn?

Both Olympos and Portimao are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Portimao for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Portimao is generally around the same temperature as Olympos. Daily temperatures in Portimao average around 19°C (67°F), and Olympos fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In October, Portimao usually receives more rain than Olympos. Portimao gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Olympos receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Portimao 19°C (67°F) 
    Olympos 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Portimao or Olympos in the Winter?

Both Olympos and Portimao during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Portimao in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Portimao is around the same temperature as Olympos in the winter. The daily temperature in Portimao averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Olympos fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Portimao usually gets more rain in January than Olympos. Portimao gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Olympos receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Portimao 11°C (52°F) 
    Olympos 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Portimao or Olympos in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Portimao and Olympos. Most visitors come to Portimao for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Portimao is around the same temperature as Olympos. Typically, the spring temperatures in Portimao in April average around 15°C (60°F), and Olympos averages at about 16°C (61°F).

In April, Portimao usually receives more rain than Olympos. Portimao gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Olympos receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Portimao 15°C (60°F) 
    Olympos 16°C (61°F)

Typical Weather for Olympos and Portimao

Portimao Olympos
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 11°C (52°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 11°C (52°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 12°C (54°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 11°C (53°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 14°C (56°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 13°C (56°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 15°C (60°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 16°C (61°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
May 19°C (65°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 20°C (68°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Jun 23°C (73°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 24°C (75°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Jul 25°C (78°F) 1 mm (0 in) 27°C (80°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Aug 26°C (78°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 27°C (80°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 24°C (75°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Oct 19°C (67°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 20°C (68°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 15°C (58°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 16°C (61°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Dec 12°C (53°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 13°C (55°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)