A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Volos vs. Albufeira for Nightlife, Beaches, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Volos or Albufeira?

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 Volos and Albufeira can help you decide which place is right for you.

Volos

Volos is a vibrant, youthful, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Albufeira

Albufeira is a party hard, vibrant, and touristy resort town. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the beaches, hiking, and nightlife.

Volos and Albufeira: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Volos or Albufeira?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Albufeira than Volos, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Albufeira is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Volos is more popular for its museums and shopping. Albufeira is more touristy than Volos and is popular for its golden beaches and limestone cliffs. Also, Albufeira is famous for Praia da Falesia. Volos is well known for its vibrant seaside setting and its access to nearby natural beauty.

How is Volos different from Albufeira?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Albufeira and Volos. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Volos or Albufeira?

Volos is a city with a few options for its museums and landmarks. However, Albufeira does not have museums and landmarks.

Volos offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums in town including the Archaeological Museum of Volos.

Albufeira does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Volos or Albufeira? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Volos and Albufeira both to be great destinations.

Volos has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Greece cuisine is very regional specific, and this area has its own dishes that are very different from elsewhere in the country. Deep fried kolitsianoi (sea anemone), boubari (local sausage), and spetzofai (sausage, tomato, and peppers) are just some of the unique dishes in the area.

Dining out in Albufeira is an experience not to be missed. As the largest resort town in the Algarve, the city also has the widest selection of restaurants. There are traditional options that serve up classic dishes like grilled sardines, as well as international restaurants with traveler favorites. As expected, you'll find a lot of seafood, but you'll also find inland influences from local farms in the area.

Is Volos or Albufeira Better for Nightlife?

Albufeira is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Volos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

People head to Albufeira just to party. It's probably the most infamous party destination in the Algarve and it won't disappoint. During the peak summer months you'll find the streets around the popular "Strip" filled with tourists and party-goers. There are hen and stag parties, backpackers, and drunken travelers out for a good time. The Strip has become so popular that there are now bars and clubs on the adjacent streets as well. If you're not staying in the area, you'll likely want to take a taxi, as it's a couple kilometers outside of the town center.

Volos is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The universities around town keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are a number of bars and clubs that are fun throughout the year.

Is Volos or Albufeira Better for Resorts?

Albufeira is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Volos is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Albufeira is a perfect choice. As the largest resort town in the Algarve, you'll find a wide selection of hotels to choose from. Party-goers will want to stay near the Strip while families will prefer the old town or resorts in Olhos de Agua.

Volos is not a resort destination.

Is Volos or Albufeira Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Albufeira is a very popular place for its diving and snorkeling. Also, Volos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for snorkeling and scuba diving.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in Albufeira. There are countless vendors who will take you by boat to explore the underwater world, either by snorkeling or scuba diving. The marine life is impressive and the water is generally clear.

Volos has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are some snorkeling and dive shops in town that offer day trips.

Is Volos or Albufeira Better for Beaches?

Albufeira is a world-class destination for the beache. Also, Volos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

With world-famous beaches, Albufeira is a very popular vacation destination. With their golden sands and blue waters, the beaches are world class. The area also has a diversity of beaches that are perfect for all types of vacationers. For water sports, head to Praia dos Alemaes but for relaxation and catching some rays check out Praia da Falesia. You'll find some interesting rock formations at Praia dos Olhos de Agua. One of the most convenient beaches to town is Praia dos Pescadores. For nightlife you'll want to head to Praia da Oura.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Volos. If you're willing to travel out of town, this region has some of the best beaches in Greece. The summers are cooler than other parts of the country and the winters are milder, so this is both a beautiful and a comfortable place to explore.

Is Volos or Albufeira Better for Hiking?

Albufeira is very good for its hiking trails. However, Volos is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Albufeira. There are countless coastal walks that are perfect for all skill levels. Many offers stunning views along the rocky coast and pass through natural settings. Popular trails in the area include Praia Grande Interpretation Trail and Paderne Castle Trail.

Volos is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Volos or Albufeira?

Volos is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Albufeira is a resort town with minimal options for its shopping areas.

Volos offers some nice shopping areas. There are shopping malls and shopping centers around town that have a variety of retail options including clothing, jewelry, and home goods.

Albufeira has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. You'll find most of the shops are geared toward souvenirs or beach items, particularly near the beach and marina. If you look hard you might find some nice ceramics or items made of cork.

Is Volos or Albufeira Better for Families?

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either Volos or Albufeira.

Volos is a family-friendly city. If your kids are adventurous, they'll enjoy horseback riding or exploring the area's beaches. There's also the Archaeological Museum of Volos and Agios Konstantinos Park.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Albufeira. Despite it's reputation as a party-hard city, there are actually a lot of family-friendly activities in the area. Because it's the largest resort town in the Algarve, it also has the most activities to choose from, including theme parks, water parks, dolphin watching, ropes courses, go karting, and more. The best area's for families are in the old town or the most of the family-friendly resorts outside of town. Families should avoid staying near "the Strip."

Is Volos or Albufeira Better for Couples?

Albufeira is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Volos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

For those traveling as a couple, Albufeira has plenty to offer. For an active honeymoon or couple's retreat, this resort town has it all. Beautiful beaches, adventure-filled activities, a wild nightlife scene, and excellent resorts and restaurants all make for a memorable couple's getaway.

Volos is a good city for couples to visit. There are gardens and outdoor activities that couples can enjoy. There are also museums and beaches.

Is Volos or Albufeira Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Albufeira is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Volos is lacking in good options for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Albufeira is extremely popular for backpackers. If you're looking for a party, then you found it. The area is a top pick for European holidays, so you'll find plenty of energy and activities around town. There are also golden beaches and a decent selection of hostels to choose from.

Volos is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a popular backpacker destination and you won't find that many hostels in the area.

Is Volos or Albufeira Better for Students?

Volos is a popular place for students. However, Albufeira is not popular with students.

Volos is popular with students. You'll find several universities in town. The port city also offers access to different parts of the country.

Albufeira is not popular with students.

Is Volos or Albufeira Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Volos is a popular place for its public transit. However, Albufeira is a resort town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Volos, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a bus system that travels around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Albufeira. There are regional buses and even trains, but do take note that many of the train and bus stations are a good distance outside of town.

Is Volos or Albufeira a more walkable city?

Volos is a great destination for its high level of walkability. However, Albufeira is a resort town with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

Volos is a very walkable city. The city is flat and there's a historic district that you can explore on foot.

Albufeira is generally not a very walkable city. Most people prefer to hire a car, but if your hotel is near the beach and you're ok with walking to restaurants, then you may be able to get away without one. If you hope to travel into the countryside at all then a car is necessary.

For even more information, also check out Is Volos Worth Visiting? and Is Albufeira Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Albufeira or Volos?

How long in Volos or Albufeira?

Both Volos and Albufeira have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Albufeira than in Volos. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Volos, and 3-7 days is enough time in Albufeira.

Families should spend more time in Albufeira than Volos. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Albufeira, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Albufeira than Volos. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Albufeira that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Albufeira than Volos if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Albufeira.

One day in Volos or Albufeira?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the city of Volos. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Volos has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Albufeira, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this popular destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This resort town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Volos or Albufeira?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the authentic destination of Volos. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Albufeira. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Volos or Albufeira?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the authentic city of Volos. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Albufeira is a fun place to experience. In Albufeira, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Volos or Albufeira?

Volos is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Albufeira, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this party hard destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Athens, The Best 10-Day Tours from Athens, The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Volos or Albufeira?

Volos has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Albufeira. When comparing the sizes of Volos and Albufeira, 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 Volos or Albufeira?

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 Volos or Albufeira in the Summer?

Both Albufeira and Volos during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Volos for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Albufeira because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Volos is around the same temperature as Albufeira in the summer. The daily temperature in Volos averages around 26°C (78°F) in July, and Albufeira fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

Volos usually gets more rain in July than Albufeira. Volos gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Albufeira receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Volos or Albufeira in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Volos and Albufeira. The autumn months attract visitors to Volos because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Albufeira this time of year.

In the autumn, Volos is cooler than Albufeira. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Volos in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Albufeira averages at about 19°C (67°F).

In October, Volos usually receives less rain than Albufeira. Volos gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Albufeira receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Volos or Albufeira in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Volos as well as Albufeira. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Volos this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Albufeira for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In January, Volos is generally much colder than Albufeira. Daily temperatures in Volos average around 6°C (42°F), and Albufeira fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Volos usually gets less rain in January than Albufeira. Volos gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Albufeira receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Volos or Albufeira in the Spring?

Both Albufeira and Volos are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Volos for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Albufeira in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Volos is cooler than Albufeira in the spring. The daily temperature in Volos averages around 14°C (56°F) in April, and Albufeira fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

In April, Volos usually receives less rain than Albufeira. Volos gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Albufeira receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Albufeira and Volos