Which place is cheaper, Albufeira or Setubal?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Setubal or Albufeira?
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 Setubal and Albufeira can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Setubal or Albufeira?
Setubal
Setubal is a busy working port and major commercial fishing center. Setubal is a city that has always had a close connection to the seas, and this is celebrated along the newly rejuvenated waterfront, which encompasses the colorful fishing harbor, the popular urban park and the Troia Peninsula ferry terminal. Within the charming historic center is a maze of narrow alleys, hidden plazas, and family-owned shops, along with Portugal's largest fish market. Setubal is primarily an industrial city, but is situated in a region of immense beauty; to the east is the stunning Serra da Arrabida, to the north is historic Palmela, while to the south are the paradise beaches of the Troia Peninsula. Setubal may not be a conventional holiday destination, but there is a surprising amount to see and do within the city and the surrounding region.
Albufeira
Located in the Algarve region in the south of Portugal, Albufeira was once a small fishing village which has since evolved into a popular destination for tourists attracted by the area's beaches, pleasant climate, and fresh seafood.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Portugal, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Portugal.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySetubal €123Albufeira €148
The average daily cost (per person) in Setubal is €123, while the average daily cost in Albufeira is €148. 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 Setubal and Albufeira in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSetubal €59Albufeira €74
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSetubal €118Albufeira €148
Compare Hotels in Setubal and Albufeira
Looking for a hotel in Setubal or Albufeira? 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.
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: Setubal Hotel Prices and Albufeira Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Setubal €54Albufeira €34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Setubal
Also for Setubal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Paragliding experience near Lisbon with transfers from Lisbon: $149
- Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach Taxi Boat Transfer Round Trip: $22
- Sesimbra Private Transfer to / From Lisbon: $53
- Transfers (Lisbon - Évora) / (Évora - Lisbon): $249
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Albufeira
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Albufeira:
- Private transfer from Albufeira to Lisbon with 2 hours sightseeing: $288
- Transfer From Albufeira Algarve To Lisboa: $222
- Transfer Vila Real de Santo António - Alamos Golf (Portimão): $167
- Transfer Vila Nova de Cacela - Alamos Golf (Portimão): $154
- Transfer Vila Nova de Cacela - Alto Golf Pestana (Alvor): $153
- Transfer Vila Nova de Cacela - Balaia Golf (Albufeira): $142
- Transfer Vila Real de Santo António - Balaia Golf (Albufeira): $142
- Private Transfer from Vila Real de Santo António to Faro (FAO) Airport: $134
- Private Airport Transfer To Albufeira Area: $111
- Transfer Alcantarilha - Benamor Golf (Conceição): $100
- Private Airport Transfer To Albufeira Area: $100
- Private Transfer from Monte Gordo to Faro Airport (1-4 pax): $100
Is it cheaper to fly into Setubal or Albufeira?
Prices for flights to both Albufeira and Setubal 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
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Food Meals for one daySetubal €35Albufeira €48
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Setubal
For Setubal, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Portuguese Cooking Class in Evora with a Chef and Tour Guide: $244
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Albufeira
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Albufeira.
- Algarve Bike and Food Tour with Sea Food and Wine Tasting: $62
- Sunset Safari with Traditional Dinner : $66
- Sunset Tour - Champagne and Traditional Dinner: $72
- 6-Hour Sunset Dinner Catamaran Cruise with Open Bar: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Setubal €12Albufeira €39
Tours and Activities in Setubal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Setubal.
- Secret Setubal Quest Experience: $7.18
- From Celtics to Romans Quest Experience in Evora: $7.20
- Évora Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.09
- Wines tour and tasting with history in Atalaia: $17
- Museu Nacional Frei Manuel do Cenáculo: E-ticket with Audio: $18
- Medieval Tour: $28
- Underwater viewing tours along the coast of Sesimbra: $28
- Sesimbra Walking Tour: $28
- Half-Day Kayak Tour in Sesimbra: $39
- Sesimbra : Guided Kayak Tour in Arrábida Natural Park & Caves : $39
- Kayak tour from Sesimbra to Ribeira do Cavalo Beach, passing through the caves: $39
- Boat Tour - Arrábida Coves: $39
Tours and Activities in Albufeira
Here are a few actual costs in Albufeira for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3h30 Hours Vilamoura Algarve Tour and Tasting Experience: $107
- Algarve Coast & Chapel of Bones ( Private Van Tour ): $53
- Full Day Private Tour in Silves and Coast Gems: $194
- Paderne Adventure Quad Ride: $75
- 1 Hour Historical Guided Boat Tour in Vila Real de Santo Antonio: $21
- 3 Hour Cruise Experience from Vilamoura: $33
- 3H Guided Bike Tour in Vilamoura: $42
- 70 Minutes Guided Old Ruins Walking Tour in Albufeira: $22
- 70 Minutes Guided Secrets of Albufeira Walking Tour: $22
- Albufeira (FULL DAY) Jeep Safari Tour : $75
- Albufeira 1 hour Off-Road Tour Buggy Adventure Tour: $33
- Albufeira 1 hour Off-Road Tour Quad Adventure Tour: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySetubal €10Albufeira €26
Sample the Local Flavors in Setubal
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Setubal:
- Workshop - Wine Tasting 101: $66
- Jeep Tour through Arrábida Azeitão and Wine Tasting: $66
- Monsaraz and Wine Tasting Tour from Évora: $72
- Alentejo Wine Tour from Évora: $78
- Sesimbra: Half-Day Tour to Arrabida with Wine Tasting: $108
- Private Half Day Arrabida Tour with Wine Tasting in Sesimbra: $110
- Wine Tour, discovering the famous Setúbal Moscatel: $138
- Lisbon To Sesimbra: Boat Tour Dolphins, Caves & Wine Tasting: $162
- 4x4 Cork Tour with Lunch & Wine Tasting: $177
Sample the Local Flavors in Albufeira
Also in Albufeira, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- 3 Hours Pub Crawl in Albufeira with Professional Party Makers: $33
- Wine Tasting Tour in Algarve Winery : $59
- Half Day Safari Tour with Wine Tasting: $59
- Winery Tour with Wine Tasting and Tapas: $64
- Small-Group Wine Tour & Silves Exploration (from Albufeira): $69
- Albufeira Coast Tour w/ Wine tasting & Chicken lunch: $75
- Porches Algarve Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting Experience: $79
- Full-Day Private Algarves Wine Tour Experience from Albufeira: $156
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Setubal and Albufeira, we can see that Albufeira is more expensive. And not only is Setubal much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Setubal would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Setubal 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 Albufeira would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Albufeira than you might in Setubal.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Setubal Expensive? and Is Albufeira Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Setubal or Albufeira?
Setubal has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Albufeira. When comparing the sizes of Setubal and Albufeira, 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 Setubal or Albufeira?
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 Setubal or Albufeira in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Setubal as well as Albufeira. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Albufeira because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Setubal is around the same temperature as Albufeira. Typically, the summer temperatures in Setubal in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Albufeira averages at about 25°C (78°F).
Setubal usually gets more rain in July than Albufeira. Setubal gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Albufeira receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySetubal 23°C (73°F)Albufeira 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Setubal or Albufeira in the Autumn?
Both Albufeira and Setubal are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Albufeira this time of year.
In October, Setubal is generally around the same temperature as Albufeira. Daily temperatures in Setubal average around 19°C (66°F), and Albufeira fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).
In October, Setubal usually receives more rain than Albufeira. Setubal gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Albufeira receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSetubal 19°C (66°F)Albufeira 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Setubal or Albufeira in the Winter?
Both Albufeira and Setubal during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Albufeira for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Setubal is around the same temperature as Albufeira in the winter. The daily temperature in Setubal averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Albufeira fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Setubal. Setubal usually gets more rain in January than Albufeira. Setubal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Albufeira receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySetubal 12°C (53°F)Albufeira 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Setubal or Albufeira in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Setubal and Albufeira. Furthermore, many visitors come to Albufeira in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Setubal is around the same temperature as Albufeira. Typically, the spring temperatures in Setubal in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Albufeira averages at about 15°C (60°F).
In April, Setubal usually receives more rain than Albufeira. Setubal gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Albufeira receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSetubal 16°C (60°F)Albufeira 15°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Albufeira and Setubal
| Setubal | Albufeira | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.