A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Setubal vs. Barcelona for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Setubal or Barcelona?

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 Barcelona can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Setubal or Barcelona?

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.

Barcelona

Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain with a population of over 1.5 million people. It's also the capital of Catalonia and is located on the northeastern part of the Mediterranean coast. Barcelona is one of the country's most popular travel destinations because of its rich history, interesting architecture, and vibrant culture. Barcelona hosted the 1992 Summer Olympic games and that had a strong influence over tourism in the area. Many different neighborhoods were renovated and rebuilt. Modern design became the norm in many parts of the city, although there is still an old city feel and many efforts at preservation.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Barcelona or Setubal?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Setubal is €123, while the average daily cost in Barcelona is €156. 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 Barcelona in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Setubal 59
    Barcelona 96
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Setubal 118
    Barcelona 192
Compare Hotels in Setubal and Barcelona

Looking for a hotel in Setubal or Barcelona? 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 Setubal


Hotels in Barcelona


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 Barcelona Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Setubal 54
    Barcelona 19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Setubal

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

  • Boat Transfer to Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach with Return: $22
  • Transfer Sesimbra to Lisbon Airport: $82
  • Paragliding experience near Lisbon with transfers from Lisbon: $148
  • Transfers (Lisbon - Évora) / (Évora - Lisbon): $197

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Barcelona

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Barcelona are as follows:


  • 10 Trip Metro Ticket
    7.80
  • Airport Bus
    5.00
  • Metro
    2.10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Barcelona

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Barcelona:

  • Private Transfer Barcelona - Benidorm: $524
  • Private Transfer from Barcelona city to Harbor up to 15 people: $300
  • Private Transfer from Barcelona to Figueres: $293
  • Barcelona Private Transfer from Barcelona Airport to PortAventura hotels: $290
  • transfer with wheelchair Accessible from Bcn airport/ port/city: $285
  • Private Transfer from Barcelona to Girona City (or vice versa): $284
  • Private Transfer Tarragona Port to Barcelona/Hotels: $283
  • Montserrat RoundTrip Transfer with lunch: $282
  • Private Transfer from Barcelona to Tarragona Cruise Terminal: $281
  • Barcelona to Andorra Private Transfer: $272
  • Private Transfer from Barcelona to Tossa de Mar/ Lloret de Mar: $262
  • Private Transfer from Barcelona Airport to Port Aventura: $262

Is it cheaper to fly into Setubal or Barcelona?

Prices for flights to both Barcelona 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Setubal 35
    Barcelona 33

Typical Food Prices in Barcelona

Some typical examples of dining costs in Barcelona are as follows:


  • Hot Cocoa & Churro
    4.15
  • Sandwich
    1.70
  • Baguette & Horchata
    3.80
  • Tapas on the beach
    8.28
  • Gelatto
    2.50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Barcelona

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Barcelona.

  • Barcelona Street Food Tour with Local Market & City Center Visit: $21
  • Barcelona Guided Street Food Tour and Gothic Quarter Visit: $21
  • Flamenco at El Patio Andaluz with Optional Dinner: $27
  • Walking Tour + Flamenco + Tapas Dinner (choose options): $27
  • Hard Rock Cafe Barcelona with Set Lunch or Dinner: $30
  • La Barceloneta: Tapas Food Tour: $37
  • Barcelona La Barceloneta Tapas Food Tour: $38
  • Barcelona Street Food Tour: Local Market & Gothic Quarter with Expert Guide: $43
  • Boqueria Market & Barrio Gotico Street Food Tour: $56
  • Wine Tasting and Tapas 5-Course Pairing Dinner: $59
  • Paella Cooking Experience & Wine: $59
  • Paella Cooking Experience and Wine in Barcelona: $60

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Setubal 12
    Barcelona 33

Tours and Activities in Setubal

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

  • Evora Highlights Walking Tour Audio and GPS Guided: $7.59
  • Évora Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
  • Museu Nacional Frei Manuel do Cenáculo: E-ticket with Audio: $17
  • Boat Tour - Arrábida Coves: $38
  • Kayak tour from Sesimbra to Ribeira do Cavalo Beach, passing through the caves: $38
  • Half-Day Kayak Tour in Sesimbra: $38
  • Setúbal: Dolphin-Watching Boat Tour: $40
  • Arrábida: Rock Climbing Experience: $43
  • Évora Private Walking Tour, By Local Guide: $44
  • Small Group Kayak Tour along Sesimbra - Arrábida Natural Park: $44
  • Tour to the caves of Sesimbra: $44
  • 4x4 Tour to the Wonders of Cabo Espichel : $49

Typical Entertainment Prices in Barcelona

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Barcelona are as follows:


  • Picasso Walking Tour and Museum Pass
    42
  • Souvenir Gaudi Book
    8.55
  • Admission to Museo Picasso
    6.00

Tours and Activities in Barcelona

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Barcelona are as follows:

  • Barcelona Christmas Walking Tour: $29
  • Cruise into Barcelona? Get the Most out of Your Visit!: $117
  • Dali Museum, Besalu & Girona Tour from Barcelona by Fast Train : $120
  • Girona and Costa Brava with Lunch: VIP Small Group Tour: $16
  • Montserrat Mountains Half - Day Private Tour - From Barcelona : $261
  • Private Guides Barcelona Tour with Skip The Line in Cathedral: $217
  • Private Mountain Bike Tour in Barcelona: $33
  • Sagrada Familia "Fast Track" Guided Tour in Barcelona: $106
  • Sagrada Familia Bike Tour in Small Group: $86
  • Sagrada Familia Comedy Tour: $3.26
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - Legends of the Gothic Quarter: $10
  • Skip The Line - Early Picasso Museum and Born Neighborhood: $56

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Setubal 10
    Barcelona 17

Sample the Local Flavors in Setubal

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Setubal:

  • Jeep Tour through Arrábida Azeitão and Wine Tasting: $56
  • Monsaraz and Wine Tasting Tour from Évora: $71
  • Alentejo Wine Tour from Évora: $76
  • Sesimbra: Half-Day Tour to Arrabida with Wine Tasting: $106
  • Wine Tour, discovering the famous Setúbal Moscatel: $137
  • Private Full Day Evora & Alentejo Wine Tour from Lisbon : $152
  • Private Wine Tour from Lisbon to Arrábida: Wine & Cheese Tasting: $170

Sample the Local Flavors in Barcelona

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Barcelona:

  • Barcelona Pub Crawl by King - Bar & Nightclub Hopping Tour: $14
  • Barcelona Pub Crawl by KING - Nightlife Party Experience: $16
  • Estrella Damm Brewery Guided Tour with Tasting: $16
  • Night Pub Crawl Tour in Barcelona: $16
  • Barcelona Bar Crawl: 4+ Venues, Free shots, Free Club Entry: $19
  • Estrella Damm Old Brewery Tour with Tasting: $21
  • Estrella Damm Old Brewery Barcelona Guided Tour with Beer Tasting: $22
  • Nightlife Tour - Barcelona Bar Crawl with Flamingos: $23
  • Barcelona Bar Crawl: $26
  • Barcelona Weekend Pub Crawl with 1.5 hour open bar@Hostel: $27
  • Catalan Nightlife Pub Crawl Tour & VIP Club Entry: $29
  • Barcelona Art & Wine Tour: $31


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Setubal and Barcelona, we can see that Barcelona 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 Barcelona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Barcelona 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 Barcelona Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Setubal or Barcelona?

Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Setubal. When comparing the sizes of Setubal and Barcelona, 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 Barcelona?

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 Barcelona in the Summer?

Both Barcelona and Setubal during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Barcelona in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Setubal is around the same temperature as Barcelona in the summer. The daily temperature in Setubal averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Barcelona fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Barcelona, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Setubal. In the summer, Setubal often gets more sunshine than Barcelona. Setubal gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 308 hours of full sun.

Setubal usually gets less rain in July than Barcelona. Setubal gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Setubal 23°C (73°F) 
    Barcelona 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Setubal or Barcelona in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Setubal and Barcelona. Furthermore, most visitors come to Barcelona for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Setubal is around the same temperature as Barcelona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Setubal in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Barcelona averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In Setubal, it's very sunny this time of the year. Setubal usually receives more sunshine than Barcelona during autumn. Setubal gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Setubal usually receives less rain than Barcelona. Setubal gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Setubal 19°C (66°F) 
    Barcelona 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Setubal or Barcelona in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Setubal as well as Barcelona. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Setubal is generally a little warmer than Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Setubal average around 12°C (53°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Setubal often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Barcelona. Setubal gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 146 hours of full sun.

Setubal receives a lot of rain in the winter. Setubal usually gets more rain in January than Barcelona. Setubal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Setubal 12°C (53°F) 
    Barcelona 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Setubal or Barcelona in the Spring?

Both Barcelona and Setubal are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Barcelona this time of year.

Setubal is a little warmer than Barcelona in the spring. The daily temperature in Setubal averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Barcelona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Barcelona. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Setubal. Setubal usually receives more sunshine than Barcelona during spring. Setubal gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Setubal usually receives more rain than Barcelona. Setubal gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Setubal 16°C (60°F) 
    Barcelona 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Barcelona and Setubal

Setubal Barcelona
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 9°C (48°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 10°C (50°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 11°C (52°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 13°C (55°F) 51 mm (2 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 16°C (61°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 20°C (67°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 23°C (74°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 21°C (70°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 13°C (55°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 10°C (49°F) 50 mm (2 in)