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

Should you visit Setubal or Palermo?

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

Where Should I go: Setubal or Palermo?

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.

Palermo

Located on its north coast, Palermo is the capital city of Sicily. The city has a lot to offer visitors who decide to venture to this often overlooked part of Italy. There is an interesting history, some unique and delicious food, and a fascinating culture. Prices in Sicily are generally cheaper than elsewhere in Italy. There are a handful of budget accommodation options and plenty of mid range hotels that are spread throughout the city. The rooms are usually comfortable and clean but as always, read reviews before making your reservation.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Palermo 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 Palermo is €92. 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 Palermo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Setubal 59
    Palermo 56
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Setubal 118
    Palermo 112
Compare Hotels in Setubal and Palermo

Looking for a hotel in Setubal or Palermo? 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 Palermo


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 Palermo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Setubal 54
    Palermo 5.64

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 Palermo

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Palermo:


  • Bus to Monreale
    3.00
  • Bus From Airport
    6.00
  • 90 Minute Bus Pass
    1.30
  • Short Taxi Ride
    4.35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palermo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Palermo:

  • Private transfer from Palermo airport to Verdura Resort Sciacca or vice versa: $233
  • Transfer from Palermo Airport to Verdura Resort: $214
  • Private Golf Club Class w/ Transfer, Ticket, & Food: $176
  • Palermo Airport (PMO) Departure Transfer (Palermo Hotels or address to Airport): $156
  • Private Transfer Palermo Airport to/from Adler SPA Resort Sicily: $149
  • Private Transfer Trapani or San Vito lo Capo to Palermo Airport by Car or Van: $146
  • Palermo Private Transfer from or to Palermo Airport in Sicily : $137
  • Transfer from Palermo Airport to Palermo: $131
  • Private Transfer from Palermo (PMO) Airport to Santa Flavia: $124
  • Private Transfer Palermo Airport to/from San Vito Lo Capo, Macari: $109
  • Private transfer from Palermo airport to Marsala port or vice versa: $109
  • Transfers From / to Palermo Airport: $108

Is it cheaper to fly into Setubal or Palermo?

Prices for flights to both Palermo 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
    Palermo 29

Typical Food Prices in Palermo

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


  • Sitdown Dinner (for Two)
    32
  • Fast Food Lunch
    5.32

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Palermo

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

  • Street Food Tour: $42
  • Street Food Tour: $65
  • Explore Palermo's with a Food Tour & Pizza Making Class: $68
  • Small Group Night Street Food Tour: $68
  • Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class with Dinner and Wine: $74
  • Palermo Traditional Food Tour: $74
  • Palermo's Delight: Unleash the Secrets of Pizza and Gelato Making: $75
  • Night Street Food Tour of Palermo : $75
  • Secret Food Tours Palermo: $85
  • Street Food Tour in Ballarò and Vucciria Markets: $86
  • Walking Street Food Tour with the Chef: $91
  • Sicilian Cooking Class: $101

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Setubal 12
    Palermo 17

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 Palermo

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


  • Capuchin Catacombs (for 2)
    6.00
  • Castello della Zisa Entrance (for Two)
    12
  • Theater Tickets (for Two)
    49

Tours and Activities in Palermo

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

  • 4 Hours Private Architectural Tour in Palermo: $165
  • Agrigento - Private Tour to the Valley of the Temples from Palermo: $295
  • Agrigento Valley of the Temples and Villa Romana del Casale Tour from Palermo: $133
  • Ballaro 'street food market tour & Santa Rosalia Sanctuary: $208
  • Cappella Palatina and Palazzo dei Normanni Tour: $91
  • Captivating Agrigento Sunset Tour of Valle dei Templi: $43
  • Capuchin Catacombs and Monreale Cathedral Private Tour: $192
  • Cesarine: Market Tour & Dining at a Local's Home in Palermo: $152
  • Discover the Charm of A 3-Hour UNESCO Sites Walking Tour: $38
  • Eating Street Food & Market Tour: $117
  • English or Spanish tour to immersive museum + lunch: $37
  • Entrance ticket to the Radici Piccolo Museo Della Natura: $11

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Setubal 10
    Palermo 11

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

Typical Alcohol Prices in Palermo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Palermo:


  • Beer
    2.56
  • Bottle of Quality Wine
    11

Sample the Local Flavors in Palermo

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Palermo:

  • Pub Crawl Palermo: $16
  • Wine Tasting with Snacks at Bottega Monteleone: $41
  • Natural Local Wine Tasting & Sicilian Tapas: $49
  • Natural Wine Tasting with snacks at Bottega Monteleone: $53
  • Eating Palermo Food & Wine Tour: $82
  • 2-Hour Sicilian Cheese and Wine Tasting Tour: $128
  • From Erice and Marsala Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $181
  • Wine Tasting for Small Groups in the Palermo Countryside: $196


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

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


Which is Bigger, Setubal or Palermo?

Palermo has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Setubal. When comparing the sizes of Setubal and Palermo, 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 Palermo?

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 Palermo in the Summer?

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

In July, Setubal is generally around the same temperature as Palermo. Daily temperatures in Setubal average around 23°C (73°F), and Palermo fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

In Palermo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Setubal. In the summer, Setubal often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Palermo. Setubal gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Palermo receives 347 hours of full sun.

Setubal usually gets more rain in July than Palermo. Setubal gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Palermo receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Setubal 23°C (73°F) 
    Palermo 25°C (76°F)

Should I visit Setubal or Palermo in the Autumn?

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

Setubal is around the same temperature as Palermo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Setubal averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Palermo fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Palermo this time of the year. In Setubal, it's very sunny this time of the year. Setubal usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Palermo during autumn. Setubal gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Palermo receives 204 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Setubal usually receives more rain than Palermo. Setubal gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Palermo receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Setubal 19°C (66°F) 
    Palermo 20°C (67°F)

Should I visit Setubal or Palermo in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Setubal is around the same temperature as Palermo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Setubal in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Palermo averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In the winter, Setubal often gets more sunshine than Palermo. Setubal gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Palermo receives 133 hours of full sun.

Setubal receives a lot of rain in the winter. Setubal usually gets more rain in January than Palermo. Setubal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Palermo receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Setubal 12°C (53°F) 
    Palermo 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Setubal or Palermo in the Spring?

Both Palermo 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 Palermo this time of year.

In April, Setubal is generally around the same temperature as Palermo. Daily temperatures in Setubal average around 16°C (60°F), and Palermo fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

It's quite sunny in Palermo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Setubal. Setubal usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Palermo during spring. Setubal gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Palermo receives 219 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Setubal usually receives more rain than Palermo. Setubal gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Palermo receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Setubal 16°C (60°F) 
    Palermo 15°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Palermo and Setubal

Setubal Palermo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 12°C (53°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 12°C (53°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 13°C (55°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 15°C (58°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 18°C (65°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 22°C (71°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 25°C (76°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 25°C (77°F) 9 mm (0.3 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 23°C (73°F) 42 mm (1.6 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 20°C (67°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 16°C (60°F) 65 mm (2.5 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 13°C (55°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)