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

Should you visit Portimao or Zaragoza?

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 Zaragoza. 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. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include nightlife, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Zaragoza

Zaragoza is a cultural, historical, and compact city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Portimao and Zaragoza: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Portimao or Zaragoza?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Portimao. Although Portimao and Zaragoza are popular destinations, Portimao has more sights and attractions for tourists. Portimao is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Zaragoza attracts visitors for its museums, food, historical sights, and shopping. Portimao is more touristy than Zaragoza and is known for it's dramatic and beautiful beaches and its many activities. It is also well known for Praia da Rocha. Zaragoza is famous for its grand landmarks, local cuisine, and rich cultural scene.

How is Portimao different from Zaragoza?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza. For such a small city, it really has a large number of cultural and historical attractions. The Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar is the most recognizable sight, but there's also the Museum of the Roman Forum of Caesaraugusta, the cathedral of Zaragoza, and the Aljafería Palace, among others.

Portimao does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza is an experience not to be missed. There are authentic restaurants that cater to locals and tourists alike. You'll also find some interesting food tours around town. Tapas are popular, as is chocolate and fresh, traditional recipes.

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 Zaragoza Better for Nightlife?

Portimao is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Zaragoza is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Portimao has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Zaragoza. The nightlife is at its best on weekends, when students and young locals head out on the town. Many evenings start with tapas and wine, but there are nightclubs and dancing as well.

Is Portimao or Zaragoza Better for Resorts?

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

Zaragoza is not a resort destination.

Is Portimao or Zaragoza Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Portimao is notable for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Zaragoza 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.

Zaragoza is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Portimao or Zaragoza Better for Beaches?

Portimao is an amazing coastal city to visit for the beach. However, Zaragoza 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.

Zaragoza is not a beach destination.

Is Portimao or Zaragoza Better for its Old Town?

Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza. The old town is small but filled with monumental buildings and an authentic atmosphere.

Portimao does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Portimao or Zaragoza?

Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza. The city has many local shops selling locally produced items and interesting souvenirs. There are also boutiques, markets, and vintage shops that are fun to browse though.

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 Zaragoza Better for Families?

Portimao is an amazing coastal city to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Zaragoza is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-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.

Zaragoza is a family-friendly coastal city. When your kids get their fill of architecture and history, you can head to the Zaragoza Aquarium. Also worth a visit is the Emoz Museum, which is an origami museum. And if you need a break from sightseeing, take a kayak out on the Ebro River.

Is Portimao or Zaragoza Better for Couples?

Portimao is an amazing coastal city to visit for couples. Also, Zaragoza is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

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.

Zaragoza makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Filled with culture, beauty, and monumental buildings, this is a small and romantic city. It's particularly romantic at night when the streets are quiet and many of the buildings are lit up.

Is Portimao or Zaragoza Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Portimao and Zaragoza are nice destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Zaragoza. There are enough hostels around town to choose from, and while it's not the backpacker haven that some Spanish cities are, it still sees a good number of young travelers.

Is Portimao or Zaragoza Better for Students?

Zaragoza is a good destination for students. However, Portimao is not popular with students.

Zaragoza is a good city to visit for students. International students enjoy this small city because it has a local vibe where they can practice their Spanish and enjoy an authentic experience.

Portimao is not popular with students.

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

Zaragoza 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.

Zaragoza offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are buses and trams around the city.

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

Is Portimao or Zaragoza a more walkable city?

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

Zaragoza is a very walkable destination. The city center is very walkable.

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 Zaragoza Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Zaragoza or Portimao?

How long in Portimao or Zaragoza?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Portimao and Zaragoza. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Portimao than in Zaragoza. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Portimao, and 1-3 days is enough time in Zaragoza.

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

One day in Portimao or Zaragoza?

The beautiful coastal city of Portimao offers nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

The beautiful city of Zaragoza offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Zaragoza?

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

Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Portimao or Zaragoza?

Portimao is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that beaches 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.

Zaragoza is a popular choice for travelers. 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 Zaragoza?

Portimao is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This coastal city offers something for everyone.

Zaragoza is a great place to explore. 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 2-Week Tours from Barcelona, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Portimao or Zaragoza?

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

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Portimao or Zaragoza in the Summer?

Both Zaragoza and Portimao are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Portimao in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Zaragoza for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Portimao is around the same temperature as Zaragoza in the summer. The daily temperature in Portimao averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Zaragoza fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In July, Portimao usually receives less rain than Zaragoza. Portimao gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Portimao or Zaragoza in the Autumn?

Both Zaragoza and Portimao during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Portimao for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Zaragoza because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Portimao is a little warmer than Zaragoza. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Portimao in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Zaragoza averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Portimao usually gets more rain in October than Zaragoza. Portimao gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Portimao or Zaragoza in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Portimao and Zaragoza. The winter months attract visitors to Portimao because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Zaragoza this time of year.

In January, Portimao is generally a little warmer than Zaragoza. Daily temperatures in Portimao average around 11°C (52°F), and Zaragoza fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In January, Portimao usually receives more rain than Zaragoza. Portimao gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Portimao or Zaragoza in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Portimao as well as Zaragoza. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Portimao this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Zaragoza for the natural beauty.

Portimao is around the same temperature as Zaragoza in the spring. The daily temperature in Portimao averages around 15°C (60°F) in April, and Zaragoza fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Portimao usually gets more rain in April than Zaragoza. Portimao gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Zaragoza and Portimao