A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Porto vs. Playa de las Americas for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Porto or Playa de las Americas?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Porto and Playa de las Americas can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Porto or Playa de las Americas?

Porto

Porto is the second largest city in Portugal. It is also the capital of the Northern Region and a hub for commercial and industrial activity. The city is not as large as you might expect, with a population of only about 300,000 residents, but the metropolitan area has a population of about 2.5 million. This includes nearby cities such as Gaia, Matosinhos, Maia and Gondomar.

Playa de las Americas

If you are looking to escape your life - to relax on a modern day pleasure island, then you need to book a trip to the Playa de las Americas resort town. Located on the south coast of Tenerife, this party, beach, and vacation capital never goes to sleep. Packed with nightclubs, bars, live music, shops and restaurants, Playa de las Americas is the stuff Hollywood movies are made of.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.


Which place is cheaper, Playa de las Americas or Porto?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Porto is €126, while the average daily cost in Playa de las Americas is €195. 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 Porto and Playa de las Americas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Porto 65
    Playa de las Americas 115
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Porto 130
    Playa de las Americas 230
Compare Hotels in Porto and Playa de las Americas

Looking for a hotel in Porto or Playa de las Americas? 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 Porto


Hotels in Playa de las Americas


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: Porto Hotel Prices and Playa de las Americas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Porto 21
    Playa de las Americas 56

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Porto

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

  • Transfer to Algarve: $1,069
  • Private Transfer to Algarve with Stops up to 2 Cities: $909
  • From One-Way Private Transfer to Lisbon: $642
  • Luxury Sedan car transfer to Lisbon.: $642
  • From Private Transfer to Lisbon with Coimbra & Fatima: $627
  • From Private Transfer to Lisbon with Stop at Óbidos: $583
  • From Private Transfer to Lisbon with Stop at Nazaré: $583
  • Transfer to Santiago Compostela: $556
  • Private transfer from Santiago de Compostela to Oporto: $491
  • Private Transfer to Lisbon with Stops up to 3 Cities: $481
  • Porto to Braga Transfer: Explore Sameiro Sanctuary: $481
  • Private Transfer to Lisbon: $455

Is it cheaper to fly into Porto or Playa de las Americas?

Prices for flights to both Playa de las Americas and Porto 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
    Porto 36
    Playa de las Americas 45

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Porto

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

  • Pastel de Nata Cooking Class in Downtown Porto: $37
  • Tastiest Calories Food Tour: $48
  • Bolhão Market and Codfish Tasting Guided Food Tour: $52
  • Porto Food Tour: Full Meal & Drinks: $56
  • Porto Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $57
  • 3-Hour Food Tour: $68
  • Half-Day Food Tour: $68
  • Portuguese Craft Beer and Food Tour: $74
  • Semi - Private Oporto Food Tour: $74
  • Craft Beer & Food Tour in Porto: $75
  • Secret Food Tour: $77
  • Semi Private Oporto Fado Show with Dinner: $80

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Porto 25
    Playa de las Americas 30

Tours and Activities in Porto

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

  • 4 Hour Blissful Wave Experience at Maceda Haven: $76
  • Ultimate Ribeira Walking Tour: $2.60
  • 1 Day Tour to Douro Valley from Porto: $207
  • 1.5-Hour Private Electric Tuk Tuk Sightseeing Tour Historic Porto: $26
  • 2 Hour Private Tuktuk Tour in Porto Douro to Left bank: $63
  • 2 Hour Private Tuktuk Tour in Porto to Monastery and Cellars: $81
  • 2 Hour Private Tuktuk Tour in Porto to Monastery and Cellars: $79
  • 3-Hour Cano-Rafting Tour on the Paiva River: $49
  • 3-Hour Electric Porto Bike Tour: $49
  • 3-Hour Porto Highlights on a Electric Bike Guided Tour: $48
  • 3-Hour Private Bike Tour Porto: $135
  • 3-Hour Walking Tour: Tiles of Porto: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Porto 19
    Playa de las Americas 8.57

Sample the Local Flavors in Porto

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Porto:

  • Museu do Vitral Entry Ticket and Wine Tasting: $8.56
  • Guided City Pub Crawl with Club Entry: $13
  • Magic Train Tour and Port Wine Tastings: $15
  • Mysterious Pub Crawl Interactive City Discovery Game: $19
  • Pub Crawl with 5 Drinks: $19
  • Porto Pub Crawl With Unlimited Beer: $20
  • Pub Crawl with Shots and Drinking Games: $21
  • Poças: Guided Tour & Port Wine Tasting with Pastel de Nata: $21
  • Poças Guided Visit and Port Wine Tasting with Pastel de Nata: $21
  • Rooftop Fado concert, Port wine tasting, Portuguese tart: $21
  • Classic Wine Tasting with GUIDED TOUR: $22
  • Pub Crawl Porto: $23


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Porto Expensive? and Is Playa de las Americas Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Porto or Playa de las Americas?

Porto has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Playa de las Americas. When comparing the sizes of Porto and Playa de las Americas, 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 Porto or Playa de las Americas?

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 Porto or Playa de las Americas in the Summer?

Both Playa de las Americas and Porto are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Porto because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Porto is cooler than Playa de las Americas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Porto in July average around 21°C (69°F), and Playa de las Americas averages at about 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Playa de las Americas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Porto. Porto usually receives more sunshine than Playa de las Americas during summer. Porto gets 308 hours of sunny skies, while Playa de las Americas receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Porto usually receives more rain than Playa de las Americas. Porto gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Porto 21°C (69°F) 
    Playa de las Americas 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Porto or Playa de las Americas in the Autumn?

Both Playa de las Americas and Porto during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Porto this time of year.

In October, Porto is generally cooler than Playa de las Americas. Daily temperatures in Porto average around 17°C (62°F), and Playa de las Americas fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Playa de las Americas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Porto often gets less sunshine than Playa de las Americas. Porto gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa de las Americas receives 200 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Porto. Porto usually gets more rain in October than Playa de las Americas. Porto gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Porto 17°C (62°F) 
    Playa de las Americas 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Porto or Playa de las Americas in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Porto and Playa de las Americas. Many travelers come to Porto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Porto is much colder than Playa de las Americas in the winter. The daily temperature in Porto averages around 10°C (50°F) in January, and Playa de las Americas fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Porto usually receives less sunshine than Playa de las Americas during winter. Porto gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Playa de las Americas receives 191 hours of full sun in the winter.

Porto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Porto usually receives more rain than Playa de las Americas. Porto gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Porto 10°C (50°F) 
    Playa de las Americas 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Porto or Playa de las Americas in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Porto as well as Playa de las Americas. Many visitors come to Porto in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Porto is cooler than Playa de las Americas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Porto in April average around 14°C (56°F), and Playa de las Americas averages at about 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa de las Americas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Porto this time of the year. In the spring, Porto often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Playa de las Americas. Porto gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa de las Americas receives 205 hours of full sun.

Porto receives a lot of rain in the spring. Porto usually gets more rain in April than Playa de las Americas. Porto gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Porto 14°C (56°F) 
    Playa de las Americas 20°C (68°F)

Typical Weather for Playa de las Americas and Porto

Porto Playa de las Americas
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (50°F) 171 mm (6.7 in) 19°C (66°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Feb 11°C (51°F) 169 mm (6.7 in) 19°C (66°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Apr 14°C (56°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
May 16°C (60°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 21°C (70°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 23°C (73°F) 1 mm (0 in)
Jul 21°C (69°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 24°C (75°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Aug 20°C (69°F) 22 mm (0.9 in) 24°C (75°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Sep 20°C (67°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 25°C (77°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Oct 17°C (62°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 24°C (75°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Nov 13°C (55°F) 152 mm (6 in) 22°C (72°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Dec 11°C (51°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 20°C (68°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)