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

Should you visit Setubal 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 Setubal and Playa de las Americas can help you decide which place is right for you.

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

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.

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 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Setubal and Playa de las Americas, we can see that Playa de las Americas 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 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 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 Playa de las Americas Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Setubal or Playa de las Americas?

Setubal has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Playa de las Americas. When comparing the sizes of Setubal 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 Setubal 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 Setubal or Playa de las Americas in the Summer?

Both Playa de las Americas and Setubal are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

In the summer, Setubal is around the same temperature as Playa de las Americas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Setubal in July average around 23°C (73°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 Setubal. Setubal usually receives more sunshine than Playa de las Americas during summer. Setubal gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Playa de las Americas receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Setubal usually receives more rain than Playa de las Americas. Setubal gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Playa de las Americas and Setubal during the autumn are popular places to visit.

In October, Setubal is generally cooler than Playa de las Americas. Daily temperatures in Setubal average around 19°C (66°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. It's quite sunny in Setubal. In the autumn, Setubal often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Playa de las Americas. Setubal gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa de las Americas receives 200 hours of full sun.

Setubal usually gets more rain in October than Playa de las Americas. Setubal gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Setubal and Playa de las Americas.

Setubal is much colder than Playa de las Americas in the winter. The daily temperature in Setubal averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Playa de las Americas fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Setubal usually receives less sunshine than Playa de las Americas during winter. Setubal gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Playa de las Americas receives 191 hours of full sun in the winter.

Setubal gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Setubal usually receives more rain than Playa de las Americas. Setubal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Setubal as well as Playa de las Americas.

In the spring, Setubal is cooler than Playa de las Americas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Setubal in April average around 16°C (60°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 Setubal this time of the year. In the spring, Setubal often gets more sunshine than Playa de las Americas. Setubal gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa de las Americas receives 205 hours of full sun.

Setubal usually gets more rain in April than Playa de las Americas. Setubal gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Playa de las Americas and Setubal