A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Puerto de la Cruz vs. Porto for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Puerto de la Cruz or Porto?

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 Puerto de la Cruz and Porto. 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: Puerto de la Cruz or Porto?

Puerto de la Cruz

The coast of the island of Tenerife is a dream destination for those seeking a luxurious getaway full of beaches and parties. However, for those of you traveling with families or looking to simply avoid the hustle and bustle of the nightclub crowd, there's Puerto de la Cruz. Known as a sophisticated destination, Puerto de la Cruz is one of the top places to visit yet still retains its authentic, Canarian charm.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best Luxury Tours to Spain, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Porto or Puerto de la Cruz?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto de la Cruz is €112, while the average daily cost in Porto is €126. 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 Puerto de la Cruz and Porto in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Puerto de la Cruz 51
    Porto 65
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Puerto de la Cruz 102
    Porto 130
Compare Hotels in Puerto de la Cruz and Porto

Looking for a hotel in Puerto de la Cruz or Porto? 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 Puerto de la Cruz


Hotels in Porto


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: Puerto de la Cruz Hotel Prices and Porto Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Puerto de la Cruz 40
    Porto 21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Porto

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

  • From Porto Bus Station: Transfer to/from Lisbon Oriente: $4.22
  • Porto Airport Transfer from/to Porto Center: $9.62
  • Porto Airport Transfer (to/from Porto City Center): $11
  • Oporto Airport Shared Departure Transfer: $13
  • Porto Airport: Shared One-Way Arrival or Departure Transfer: $13
  • Bus Transfer to/from Madrid South: $13
  • Private transfer from Porto Airport to Porto City Hotels: $15
  • Porto Airport Private Departure Transfer: $15
  • Porto Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $15
  • Porto Private Airport Departure Transfer: $17
  • Gaia Private Transfer to Porto: $18
  • Oporto Airport Private Transfer to Matosinhos: $19

Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto de la Cruz or Porto?

Prices for flights to both Porto and Puerto de la Cruz 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
    Puerto de la Cruz 34
    Porto 36

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.
    Puerto de la Cruz 28
    Porto 25

Tours and Activities in Porto

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

  • City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $1.07
  • Porto Walking Tour - The Perfect Introduction to the City: $1.09
  • Ultimate Ribeira Walking Tour: $2.60
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • The Unvanquished Tour in Porto City Center: $3.26
  • From Portugal eSIM Tourist Data Plan: $4.81
  • Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and City Tour: $5.35
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
  • Porto (Gaia) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
  • Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $7.65
  • Porto (Gaia) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.82
  • Casa São Roque Direct Entry Ticket: $8.56

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Puerto de la Cruz 5.00
    Porto 19

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 comparing the travel costs between Puerto de la Cruz and Porto, we can see that Porto is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Puerto de la Cruz or Porto?

Porto has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Puerto de la Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Puerto de la Cruz and Porto, 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 Puerto de la Cruz or Porto?

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 Puerto de la Cruz or Porto in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Puerto de la Cruz as well as Porto. Also, many visitors come to Porto in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Puerto de la Cruz is a little warmer than Porto. Typically, the summer temperatures in Puerto de la Cruz in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Porto averages at about 21°C (69°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Porto. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Puerto de la Cruz this time of the year. In the summer, Puerto de la Cruz often gets more sunshine than Porto. Puerto de la Cruz gets 334 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Porto receives 308 hours of full sun.

Puerto de la Cruz usually gets less rain in July than Porto. Puerto de la Cruz gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Porto receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Puerto de la Cruz 24°C (75°F) 
    Porto 21°C (69°F)

Should I visit Puerto de la Cruz or Porto in the Autumn?

Both Porto and Puerto de la Cruz are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Porto for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Puerto de la Cruz is generally a little warmer than Porto. Daily temperatures in Puerto de la Cruz average around 21°C (70°F), and Porto fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Puerto de la Cruz. Puerto de la Cruz usually receives more sunshine than Porto during autumn. Puerto de la Cruz gets 218 hours of sunny skies, while Porto receives 184 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Porto. In October, Puerto de la Cruz usually receives less rain than Porto. Puerto de la Cruz gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Porto receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Puerto de la Cruz 21°C (70°F) 
    Porto 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Puerto de la Cruz or Porto in the Winter?

Both Porto and Puerto de la Cruz during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Porto because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Puerto de la Cruz is much warmer than Porto in the winter. The daily temperature in Puerto de la Cruz averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and Porto fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the winter, Puerto de la Cruz often gets more sunshine than Porto. Puerto de la Cruz gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Porto receives 124 hours of full sun.

Porto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Puerto de la Cruz usually gets less rain in January than Porto. Puerto de la Cruz gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Porto receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Puerto de la Cruz 18°C (64°F) 
    Porto 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Puerto de la Cruz or Porto in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Puerto de la Cruz and Porto. Furthermore, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Porto this time of year.

In the spring, Puerto de la Cruz is a little warmer than Porto. Typically, the spring temperatures in Puerto de la Cruz in April average around 20°C (68°F), and Porto averages at about 14°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Porto this time of the year. In Puerto de la Cruz, it's very sunny this time of the year. Puerto de la Cruz usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Porto during spring. Puerto de la Cruz gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Porto receives 217 hours of full sun in the spring.

Porto receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Puerto de la Cruz usually receives less rain than Porto. Puerto de la Cruz gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Porto receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Puerto de la Cruz 20°C (68°F) 
    Porto 14°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Porto and Puerto de la Cruz

Puerto de la Cruz Porto
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 18°C (64°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 10°C (50°F) 171 mm (6.7 in)
Feb 18°C (64°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 11°C (51°F) 169 mm (6.7 in)
Mar 19°C (66°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 12°C (54°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Apr 20°C (68°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 14°C (56°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
May 21°C (70°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 16°C (60°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Jun 23°C (73°F) 1 mm (0 in) 19°C (66°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Jul 24°C (75°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 21°C (69°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 20°C (69°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Sep 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 20°C (67°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Oct 21°C (70°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 17°C (62°F) 131 mm (5.2 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 13°C (55°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Dec 18°C (64°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 11°C (51°F) 176 mm (6.9 in)