Which place is cheaper, Portimao or Setubal?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Setubal or Portimao?
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 Portimao can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Setubal or Portimao?
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.
Portimao
The second biggest city in the Alrgarve region of Portugal, Portimao sits on the coast where the Arade River meets the Atlantic Ocean. It is renowned for its fresh fish restaurants and is also a popular destination for beachgoers at the Praia da Rocha to the south of the city.
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 €123Portimao €152
The average daily cost (per person) in Setubal is €123, while the average daily cost in Portimao is €152. 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 Portimao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSetubal €59Portimao €78
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSetubal €118Portimao €156
Compare Hotels in Setubal and Portimao
Looking for a hotel in Setubal or Portimao? 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 Portimao Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Setubal €54Portimao €37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Setubal
Also for Setubal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach Taxi Boat Transfer Round Trip: $22
- Boat Transfer to Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach with Return: $22
- Sesimbra Private Transfer to / From Lisbon: $52
- Transfer Sesimbra to Lisbon Airport: $82
- Paragliding experience near Lisbon with transfers from Lisbon: $147
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Portimao
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Portimao:
- Transfer From Portimão Algarve To Lisboa: $244
- Private Transfer from Monte Ruivo to Faro (FAO) Airport: $236
- Private Airport Transfer To Armação De Pera Area: $115
- Private Transfer from Alvor to Faro Airport (1-4 pax): $109
- Transfer Armação de Pêra - Benamor Golf (Conceição): $99
- Private Transfer from Estombar to Faro (FAO) Airport: $94
- Private Transfer from Lagoa to Faro (FAO) Airport: $93
- Carvoeiro Private Transfer to Faro Airport: $85
- Private Transfer from Portimao to Faro (FAO) Airport: $84
- Private Transfer from Hotel da Rocha to Faro (FAO) Airport: $84
- Private Transfer from Josper Grill Steakhouse Dry Aged to Faro (FAO) Airport: $80
- Private Transfer from Alvor to Faro (FAO) Airport: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Setubal or Portimao?
Prices for flights to both Portimao 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 €35Portimao €45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Portimao
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Portimao.
- Algarve wine tour and mountain top trip with lunch or dinner at sunset time: $147
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Setubal €12Portimao €41
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: $7.58
- Évora Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.83
- Wines tour and tasting with history in Atalaia: $16
- Museu Nacional Frei Manuel do Cenáculo: E-ticket with Audio: $17
- Kayak tour from Sesimbra to Ribeira do Cavalo Beach, passing through the caves: $38
- Half-Day Kayak Tour in Sesimbra: $38
- Boat Tour - Arrábida Coves: $38
- Setúbal: Dolphin-Watching Boat Tour: $39
- Arrábida: Rock Climbing Experience: $43
- Tour to the caves of Sesimbra: $43
- Évora Private Walking Tour, By Local Guide: $44
- Small Group Kayak Tour along Sesimbra - Arrábida Natural Park: $44
Tours and Activities in Portimao
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Portimao are as follows:
- Kayak Tours to Benagil & Marine caves - From Benagil Beach: $38
- Portimão to Benagil: Adrenaline Wave - 90Mins Cave Tour: $25
- 1 Hour and 30 Minutes Benagil Caves Kayak Tour: $36
- 2 Hours Cruise Portimão to Benagil Cave & Marinha Beach: $27
- 7 Hour Guided Sailboat Yacht Cruise Tour in Algarve: $81
- Adventure in Serra de Monchique - 4 Hours: $49
- Algarve - Exclusive horseriding in Portimao (no experience required): $54
- Algarve Coast Guided Boat Tour: $38
- Algarve Jeep Safari tours: $49
- Algarve Private Tour with Typical Lunch: $81
- Alone in Benagil, perfect pictures Kayak tour with @StarToursAlgarve: $60
- Benagil & Marinha Boat Tour: $38
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySetubal €10Portimao €30
Sample the Local Flavors in Setubal
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Setubal:
- Jeep Tour through Arrábida Azeitão and Wine Tasting: $56
- Workshop - Wine Tasting 101: $65
- Monsaraz and Wine Tasting Tour from Évora: $71
- Alentejo Wine Tour from Évora: $76
- Half-Day Tour to Arrabida from Sesimbra with Wine Tasting: $82
- Wine Tour, discovering the famous Setúbal Moscatel: $136
- Private Full Day Evora & Alentejo Wine Tour from Lisbon : $152
- Private Wine Tour from Lisbon to Arrábida: Wine & Cheese Tasting: $170
- 4x4 Cork Tour with Lunch & Wine Tasting: $175
- From Lisbon: Wine Tasting Tour and Traditional Tile Factory: $260
Sample the Local Flavors in Portimao
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Portimao:
- Wine Tasting and Art Tour: $39
- Algarve Wine Tasting & Music Experience: $60
- Algarve Wine Tour of Two Wine Estates: $73
- Algarve wine tour of 2 wine estates and lunch at the countryside: $153
- Algarve wine tour and farmer's lunch at wine estate: $181
- Alentejo Wine Tour from the Algarve: $210
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Setubal and Portimao, we can see that Portimao 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 Portimao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Portimao 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 Portimao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Setubal or Portimao?
Setubal has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Portimao. When comparing the sizes of Setubal and Portimao, 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 Portimao?
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 Portimao in the Summer?
Both Portimao and Setubal during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Portimao for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Setubal is generally around the same temperature as Portimao. Daily temperatures in Setubal average around 23°C (73°F), and Portimao fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).
Setubal usually gets more rain in July than Portimao. Setubal gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Portimao receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySetubal 23°C (73°F)Portimao 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Setubal or Portimao in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Setubal and Portimao. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Portimao because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
Setubal is around the same temperature as Portimao in the autumn. The daily temperature in Setubal averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Portimao fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).
In October, Setubal usually receives more rain than Portimao. Setubal gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Portimao 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)Portimao 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Setubal or Portimao in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Setubal as well as Portimao. Additionally, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Portimao this time of year.
In the winter, Setubal is around the same temperature as Portimao. Typically, the winter temperatures in Setubal in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Portimao averages at about 11°C (52°F).
Setubal receives a lot of rain in the winter. Setubal usually gets more rain in January than Portimao. Setubal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Portimao 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)Portimao 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Setubal or Portimao in the Spring?
Both Portimao and Setubal are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Portimao for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, Setubal is generally around the same temperature as Portimao. Daily temperatures in Setubal average around 16°C (60°F), and Portimao fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).
In April, Setubal usually receives more rain than Portimao. Setubal gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Portimao 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)Portimao 15°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Portimao and Setubal
| Setubal | Portimao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.