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

Should you visit Portimao or Seville?

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 Seville. 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 active, scenic, and adventure-filled coastal city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Seville

Seville is a elegant, beautiful, and world-renowned city. 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. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums.

Portimao and Seville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Portimao or Seville?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Seville. Although Portimao and Seville are both popular with visitors, Seville has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Seville is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, food, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Portimao is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Portimao is popular for it's dramatic and beautiful beaches and its many activities. Seville is popular for its Moorish and Islamic architecture, its colorful Flamenco dancing, and its local tapas and wine. It is also home to the Real Alcázar.

How is Portimao different from Seville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Seville is renowned for its sights and museums. However, Portimao does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Seville on the map. This elegant city is filled with historic buildings and world famous architecture. From the iconic Catedral de Sevilla to the Real Alcázar and Plaza de España, there is an endless supply of world class sights around town.

Portimao does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Portimao or Seville Better for Theater?

Seville is a good destination for its shows and theatre. However, Portimao is not a theatre destination.

Seville offers a number of shows and performances. Flamenco shows are a highlight for many visitors. You can sip wine and enjoy tapas as you take in this dramatic dance form.

Portimao is not a theatre destination.

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

Seville 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 Seville is an experience not to be missed. The city is filled with cafes that spill into the streets. Locals live their lives outdoors, and the cafe terraces are filled with chattering guests from breakfast until late in the evening. The food includes many typical Spanish favorites such as Iberian pork, stewed meats, and other local tapas.

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 Seville Better for Nightlife?

Both Portimao and Seville are excellent when it comes to partying.

Portimao offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Seville has a large number of nightlife venues. The excellent nightlife scene includes local bars, Flamenco shows, and student focused parties. The Triana District is a popular nightlife area, particularly for the Flamenco shows. There are also a lot of bars along Calle Betis and upscale ambiance can be found in La Alameda.

Is Portimao or Seville Better for Resorts?

Portimao is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Seville is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Portimao for its luxury resorts. 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.

Seville is not a resort destination.

Is Portimao or Seville Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Portimao is a great coastal city for its diving and snorkeling. However, Seville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near 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.

Seville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Portimao or Seville Better for Beaches?

Portimao is terrific for the beache. However, Seville is not a beach destination.

Portimao offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around 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.

Seville is not a beach destination.

Is Portimao or Seville Better for its Old Town?

Seville is a well-known place for its historic old town charm. However, Portimao does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Seville. Barrio de Santa Cruz is the old town of Seville. This is where you'll find the Jewish Quarter and many of the city's historic landmarks.

Portimao does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Portimao or Seville?

Seville is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Portimao is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Seville. There is a great combination of shopping streets, high end shopping malls, and local markets. Calle Sierpes, Calle Tetuan, and Calle Asuncion are some of the best places for shopping.

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 Seville Better for Families?

Portimao is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Seville is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Portimao is very family-friendly. 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.

Seville is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are parks where kids can run around. There's also the Seville Aquarium as well as Isla Mágica, which is a small amusement park. Other fun family-friendly activities include taking a boat ride on the Guadalquivir River and seeing a Flamenco Show.

Is Portimao or Seville Better for Couples?

Portimao is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Seville is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

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.

Seville is a very popular place to visit for couples. Romantic walks, beautiful parks, and world class attractions make this a truly romantic city. Couples will enjoy an evening out with dinner and a Flamenco show, or visiting the Arab baths.

Is Portimao or Seville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Seville is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Portimao is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Seville is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. It's a well established backpacker destination with a large supply of hostels and plenty of eager travelers ready to head out on the town.

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 Seville Better for Students?

Seville is renowned for students. However, Portimao is not popular with students.

Seville is a very popular place to visit for students. It's a top destination for international students who appreciate the many great educational institutions, beautiful year-round weather, and many festivals and evening activities.

Portimao is not popular with students.

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

Seville 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.

Seville has a few public transit options. There are buses that travel through the entire city. There is also a tram system that has 4 stops and travels 1.4 kilometers.

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

Is Portimao or Seville a more walkable city?

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

Seville is a very walkable destination. There are many parts of the city that are very walkable. It takes about 45 minutes to walk across the city center in its entirety.

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 Seville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Seville or Portimao?

How long in Portimao or Seville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Portimao and Seville. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Portimao than in Seville. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Portimao, and 2-3 days is enough time in Seville.

Families should spend more time in Portimao than Seville. 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 Seville 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 Seville.

One day in Portimao or Seville?

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.

The beautiful city of Seville offers theater and nightlife. 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 Seville?

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.

Seville is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Seville, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Portimao or Seville?

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.

Seville is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. 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.

A week in Portimao or Seville?

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.

Seville is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. 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 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Portimao or Seville?

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

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 Seville in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Portimao as well as Seville. The summer months attract visitors to Portimao because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Seville this time of year.

In July, Portimao is generally around the same temperature as Seville. Daily temperatures in Portimao average around 25°C (78°F), and Seville fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Portimao usually gets less rain in July than Seville. Portimao gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Seville receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Portimao or Seville in the Autumn?

Both Seville and Portimao are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Portimao this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Seville for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Portimao is around the same temperature as Seville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Portimao averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Seville fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

In October, Portimao usually receives more rain than Seville. Portimao gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Seville receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Portimao or Seville in the Winter?

Both Seville and Portimao during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Portimao for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Seville in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Portimao is around the same temperature as Seville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Portimao in January average around 11°C (52°F), and Seville averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Portimao usually gets less rain in January than Seville. Portimao gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Seville receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Portimao or Seville in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Portimao and Seville. Many visitors come to Portimao in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Seville for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Portimao is generally around the same temperature as Seville. Daily temperatures in Portimao average around 15°C (60°F), and Seville fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In April, Portimao usually receives less rain than Seville. Portimao gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Seville receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Seville and Portimao