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

Should you visit Setubal or Valencia?

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

Where Should I go: Setubal or Valencia?

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.

Valencia

Valencia is a port city that sits on Spain's southeastern Orange Blossom coast, where the Turia River meets the Mediterranean Sea. As the nation's third-largest city, it is continually innovative in the arts and sciences with some futuristic architecture including a planetarium, oceanarium, and an interactive museum. The nightlife and daytime culture both thrive in their own ways, bustling with limitless opportunities for sight-seeing and entertainment. While the city is surrounded by fertile farmland, its center is a modern metropolis, skirted by beautiful beaches.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid.


Which place is cheaper, Valencia 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 Valencia is €123. 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 Valencia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Setubal 59
    Valencia 58
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Setubal 118
    Valencia 116
Compare Hotels in Setubal and Valencia

Looking for a hotel in Setubal or Valencia? 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 Valencia


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 Valencia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Setubal 54
    Valencia 18

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
  • Paragliding experience near Lisbon with transfers from Lisbon: $148
  • Transfer Sesimbra to Lisbon Airport: $82
  • Transfers (Lisbon - Évora) / (Évora - Lisbon): $197

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valencia

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Valencia:

  • Valencia Airport (VLC): Transfer to Valencia Cruise Port: $238
  • Private transfer from Valencia Airport to Alicante: $201
  • Departure Private Transfer Montserrat to Barcelona Airport or City by Luxury Van: $175
  • Valencia Airport (VLC): Private Transfer to Valencia: $120
  • Valencia Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Valencia hotels: $120
  • From Morella and Peñíscola Day Trip with Transfers: $118
  • Private Transfer Valencia Airport to Hotel: $109
  • Valencia City, Airport, Cruise Terminal Private Transfer: $87
  • Private Transfer: Valencia to Valencia Airport VLC in Luxury Van: $86
  • Valencia Airport (VLC) Departure Transfer (Valencia Hotels to Valencia Airport): $83
  • Valencia Airport (VLC) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Valencia Hotel or Address): $83
  • Private arrival OR departure transfer in Valencia (hotel OR airport pick-up): $71

Is it cheaper to fly into Setubal or Valencia?

Prices for flights to both Valencia 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
    Valencia 40

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valencia

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

  • Flamenco at Toro y La Luna with Drinks or Dinner: $19
  • Hard Rock Cafe Entrance with Lunch or Dinner: $32
  • Traveling Spoon Sangria and Tapa Private Online Cooking Class: $40
  • Traditional Spanish Home Dinner: $48
  • Valencia Traditional Food Tour: $51
  • Guided Food Tour with Chocolate Tasting Experience: $53
  • Street Food Tour including Paella & Tapas Tasting: $58
  • Paella Cooking Experience near the center of Valencia: $59
  • Morning Food Tour with Central Market Visit: $63
  • Cooking Class of traditional spanish food: $64
  • Vegetable Paella cooking class, tapas and visit market: $65
  • Valencian Paella cooking class, Tapas and Market Visit: $65

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Setubal 12
    Valencia 29

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 Valencia

Here are a few typical costs in Valencia for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Flamenco Tour
    16

Tours and Activities in Valencia

Here are a few actual costs in Valencia for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 150 Min Bike Group Tour with Local Guide: $33
  • 2 Hour Private Bike Tour in Valencia: $27
  • 3hs-Hour Guided City Sightseeing and Beaches Bike Private Tour: $38
  • A day in the life of Valencia - Private tour with a local: $233
  • Adventure Jetski: $155
  • Adventures day: Thermal Springs and Waterfalls: $104
  • Albufera Natural Park Tour with Boat Ride from Valencia : $64
  • Alicante: 8-hour cruise to Tabarca Island by private boat: $1,069
  • Anna: amazing water canyoning experience: $95
  • Best Bike Tour Dutch & English in Valencia: $35
  • Between Two Gates: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Valencia: $7.99
  • Bike Grand Valencia Group Tour: $38

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Setubal 10
    Valencia 20

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 Valencia

Also in Valencia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Guided Pub Crawl with Free Shots: $13
  • Pub Crawl With Free Shots: $25
  • Wine Tasting with Professional Sommelier in centre Valencia: $59
  • From Guided Cheese Factory Tour with Wine Tasting: $90
  • Local Tapas & Wine tasting experience: $91
  • Wine Tasting and Tapas Experience: $102
  • Cheese Factory Workshop with Wine Tasting in Requena, Valencia: $108
  • From Requena Wine Tour with Tastings: $123
  • Christmas Tapas and Wine Tour in Valencia: $164
  • Requena: 1/2 Day Private Vineyards & Premium Wine Tastings: $191
  • From Utiel-Requena Wine Tour and Traditional Lunch: $209
  • Singular Valencia Wine Tour Utiel Requena Wineries: $213


When comparing the travel costs between Setubal and Valencia, we can see that Setubal is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Setubal or Valencia?

Valencia has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Setubal. When comparing the sizes of Setubal and Valencia, 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 Valencia?

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 Valencia in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Setubal as well as Valencia. Additionally, many travelers come to Valencia for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Setubal is around the same temperature as Valencia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Setubal in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Valencia averages at about 25°C (76°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valencia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Setubal this time of the year. In the summer, Setubal often gets more sunshine than Valencia. Setubal gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valencia receives 303 hours of full sun.

Setubal usually gets less rain in July than Valencia. Setubal gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Valencia receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Setubal or Valencia in the Autumn?

Both Valencia and Setubal are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Valencia in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Setubal is generally around the same temperature as Valencia. Daily temperatures in Setubal average around 19°C (66°F), and Valencia fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Setubal. Setubal usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Valencia during autumn. Setubal gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Valencia receives 198 hours of full sun in the autumn.

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


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Setubal 19°C (66°F) 
    Valencia 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Setubal or Valencia in the Winter?

Both Valencia and Setubal during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Valencia for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Setubal is around the same temperature as Valencia in the winter. The daily temperature in Setubal averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Valencia fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the winter, Setubal often gets less sunshine than Valencia. Setubal gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valencia receives 162 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Setubal. Setubal usually gets more rain in January than Valencia. Setubal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Valencia receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Setubal or Valencia in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Setubal and Valencia. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Valencia because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Setubal is around the same temperature as Valencia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Setubal in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Valencia averages at about 15°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Valencia this time of the year. In Setubal, it's very sunny this time of the year. Setubal usually receives more sunshine than Valencia during spring. Setubal gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Valencia receives 213 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Setubal usually receives more rain than Valencia. Setubal gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Valencia receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


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

Typical Weather for Valencia and Setubal

Setubal Valencia
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 12°C (53°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 12°C (54°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 14°C (56°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 15°C (60°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 18°C (65°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 22°C (71°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 25°C (76°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 25°C (77°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 23°C (73°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 15°C (58°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 12°C (54°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)