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

Should you visit Portimao or Versailles?

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 Versailles. 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 adventure-filled, vibrant, and colorful coastal city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include shopping, nightlife, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Versailles

Versailles is a opulent, historic, and extensive palace. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include museums.

Portimao and Versailles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Portimao or Versailles?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Portimao than Versailles, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Portimao is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Versailles is more popular for its museums. Portimao is well known for it's dramatic and beautiful beaches and its many activities. Also, Portimao is famous for Praia da Rocha. Versailles is well known for its long running history and its grand architecture.

How is Portimao different from Versailles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Versailles on the map. The palace is filled with history and impressive items relating to the royal family. Within and near the palace you should make sure you see the Gardens of Versailles, Grand Trianon, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Royal Opera of Versailles.

Portimao does not have museums and landmarks.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at respectable restaurants in both Portimao and Versailles.

Portimao may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. 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.

Versailles offers some easy restaurants to choose from. There are a couple of restaurants and cafes on the grounds.

Is Portimao or Versailles Better for Nightlife?

Portimao is a great coastal city for nightlife. However, Versailles is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

The nightlife in Portimao has something for everybody. 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.

Versailles is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Portimao or Versailles Better for Resorts?

Portimao is an amazing coastal city to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Versailles 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.

Versailles is not a resort destination.

Is Portimao or Versailles Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Portimao is a great coastal city for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Versailles 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.

Versailles is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Portimao or Versailles Better for Beaches?

Portimao is an amazing coastal city to visit for its beaches. However, Versailles 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.

Versailles is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Portimao or Versailles?

Portimao is a nice place to visit for shopping. However, Versailles is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Versailles is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Portimao or Versailles Better for Families?

Portimao is an amazing coastal city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Versailles is not known 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.

Versailles does not offer many kid-friendly activities. While there are those unicorn children who fall in love with the grand setting, for most kids, a visit to Versailles can make for make for a long and draining day.

Is Portimao or Versailles Better for Couples?

Portimao is an amazing coastal city to visit for romance. Also, Versailles is not as popular, but is still a nice palace for its romantic activities.

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.

Versailles is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's opulence, grandeur, and history make this a wonderful place to explore as a couple. There are gardens and other unique settings that make Versailles very romantic.

Is Portimao or Versailles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Portimao is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Versailles is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

Versailles is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Versailles is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Portimao is not a good coastal city for times when you don't have a car.

Versailles offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are SNCF trains that travel from Gare Montparnasse to Versailles Chantiers train station and additional trains that travel between Gare Saint Lazare and Versailles Rive Droite.

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

Is Portimao or Versailles a more walkable city?

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

Versailles is a very walkable destination. It's approximately a 20 minute walk from the Versailles Chantiers train station to the entrance to the palace. Versailles Rive Droite is slightly closer.

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 Versailles Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Versailles or Portimao?

How long in Portimao or Versailles?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Portimao or Versailles to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Portimao than Versailles because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Portimao, and 1-2 days is enough time in Versailles.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Portimao than Versailles 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 Portimao or Versailles?

With shopping and nightlife around the dramatic coastal city of Portimao, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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

A weekend in Portimao or Versailles?

With nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling around the destination of Portimao, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this coastal city.

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

Five days in Portimao or Versailles?

Portimao, a popular coastal city, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Versailles 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 Versailles?

Portimao is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Versailles is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This palace 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 Sightseeing Tours in France, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Portimao or Versailles?

Versailles has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Portimao. When comparing the sizes of Portimao and Versailles, 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 Versailles?

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 Versailles in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Portimao is a little warmer than Versailles. Typically, the summer temperatures in Portimao in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Versailles averages at about 20°C (68°F).

Portimao usually gets less rain in July than Versailles. Portimao gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Portimao or Versailles in the Autumn?

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

In October, Portimao is generally a little warmer than Versailles. Daily temperatures in Portimao average around 19°C (67°F), and Versailles fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In October, Portimao usually receives more rain than Versailles. Portimao gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Portimao or Versailles in the Winter?

Both Versailles and Portimao during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Portimao because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Versailles this time of year.

It's quite cold in Versailles in the winter. Portimao is much warmer than Versailles in the winter. The daily temperature in Portimao averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Versailles fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Portimao usually gets more rain in January than Versailles. Portimao gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Portimao or Versailles in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Portimao is a little warmer than Versailles. Typically, the spring temperatures in Portimao in April average around 15°C (60°F), and Versailles averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In April, Portimao usually receives less rain than Versailles. Portimao gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Versailles and Portimao