A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Albufeira vs. Chefchaouen for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Albufeira or Chefchaouen?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Albufeira or Chefchaouen? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Albufeira or Chefchaouen?

Albufeira

Located in the Algarve region in the south of Portugal, Albufeira was once a small fishing village which has since evolved into a popular destination for tourists attracted by the area's beaches, pleasant climate, and fresh seafood.

Chefchaouen

To feel like you've really stepped back in time to the glory days of Morocco, you're going to want to spend time in Chefchaouen. This town's beautiful medina is filled with white washed buildings with blue highlights. The wandering alleyways provide a fairy tale setting where you can relax for a few days. This mountainous region is a humble example of the classic picture of this area. Set against the backdrop of the Rif Mountains, the white and powder blue accented buildings and call to calls to prayer throughout the day let every visitor know they've arrived in a relaxing spot of peace and serenity.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, The Best Budget Tours to Morocco, and The Best Luxury Tours to Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Chefchaouen or Albufeira?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Albufeira is €183, while the average daily cost in Chefchaouen is €66. 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 Albufeira and Chefchaouen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Albufeira 74
    Chefchaouen 23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Albufeira 148
    Chefchaouen 46
Compare Hotels in Albufeira and Chefchaouen

Looking for a hotel in Albufeira or Chefchaouen? 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 Albufeira


Hotels in Chefchaouen


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: Albufeira Hotel Prices and Chefchaouen Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Albufeira 34
    Chefchaouen 15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Albufeira

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Albufeira:

  • Private Transfer Algarve to Lisbon or Return Trip: $269
  • Private Transfer Algarve ↔ Lisbon (One-Way or Round Trip): $262
  • Private Transfer Lisbon to Algarve South Portugal and Seville : $209
  • Private Transfer from Vila Real de Santo António to Faro (FAO) Airport: $148
  • Private Transfer from Sao Bartolomeu de Messines to Faro (FAO) Airport: $135
  • Private Transfer from Pera to Faro (FAO) Airport: $125
  • Private Transfer from Alte to Faro (FAO) Airport: $125
  • Private Transfer from Tunes to Faro (FAO) Airport: $124
  • Private Transfer from Silves to Faro (FAO) Airport: $110
  • Private Transfer from Villa Guerreiro (Albufeira) to Faro (FAO) Airport: $100
  • Private Transfer from Apartamentos Pescadores (Albufeira) to Faro (FAO) Airport: $96
  • Private Transfer from Vilas Guerreiro (Olhos de Água) to Faro (FAO) Airport: $95

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chefchaouen

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


  • Taxi Ride
    0.94

Is it cheaper to fly into Albufeira or Chefchaouen?

Prices for flights to both Chefchaouen and Albufeira 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
    Albufeira 82
    Chefchaouen 29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Albufeira

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

  • A Portuguese Dinner and Cocktail Experience with pick up: $54
  • Portuguese Traditional Dinner and Cocktail Experience: $59
  • Dinner at the Vineyards in Lagoa: $71
  • 6-Hour Sunset Dinner Catamaran Cruise with Open Bar: $73
  • Sunset Beach Safari w/ Champagne & Chicken Piri Piri Dinner: $82

Typical Food Prices in Chefchaouen

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Chefchaouen:


  • Lunch for Two
    8.48
  • Dinner for Two
    9.43
  • Cupcake
    0.28
  • Nutella and Yogurt
    1.89

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Albufeira 39
    Chefchaouen 16

Tours and Activities in Albufeira

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

  • Full Day Private Tour in Silves and Coast Gems: $208
  • Paderne Adventure Quad Ride: $45
  • 70 Minutes Guided Old Ruins Walking Tour in Albufeira: $24
  • 70 Minutes Guided Secrets of Albufeira Walking Tour: $24
  • Albufeira 1.5 hour Off-Road Tour Buggy Adventure Tour: $52
  • Albufeira 1.5 hour Off-Road Tour Quad Adventure Tour: $36
  • Albufeira 3 hour Off-Road Tour Buggy Adventure Tour: $71
  • Albufeira Beach BBQ with Caves and Coastline Cruise with Open Bar: $66
  • Albufeira Coast Tour, Winery & Delicious Chicken lunch: $76
  • Albufeira Food Experience: Land & Sea Tapas w/ Wines: $59
  • Albufeira Kayak Cave Tour – Hidden Beaches & Cliffs: $42
  • Albufeira Kayak Tour – Relaxing Trip with 2 Guides: $38

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Albufeira 26
    Chefchaouen 13

Sample the Local Flavors in Albufeira

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

  • City Highlights & WINE TASTING: $68
  • Small-Group Wine Tour & Silves Exploration (from Albufeira): $78
  • Wine Tasting Tour in Algarve Winery : $78
  • Albufeira/Vilamoura: Winery Tour with Wine Tasting and Tapas: $81
  • Wine Lovers: Winery, Wine Tasting, Chicken Piri Piri & Sights : $82
  • Full day Tour in Silves with Wine Tasting: $167
  • Private Yoga and Wine Tasting Experience from Albufeira: $179


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Albufeira and Chefchaouen, we can see that Albufeira is more expensive. And not only is Chefchaouen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Albufeira is in Europe and Chefchaouen is in Africa, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Chefchaouen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chefchaouen 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 Chefchaouen.

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


Which is Bigger, Albufeira or Chefchaouen?

Chefchaouen has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Albufeira. When comparing the sizes of Albufeira and Chefchaouen, 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 Albufeira or Chefchaouen?

Albufeira has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Chefchaouen experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Albufeira or Chefchaouen in the Summer?

Both Chefchaouen and Albufeira during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Albufeira in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chefchaouen year-round.

In the summer, Albufeira is around the same temperature as Chefchaouen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Albufeira in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Chefchaouen averages at about 24°C (74°F).

Albufeira usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Chefchaouen. Albufeira gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Chefchaouen receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Albufeira 25°C (78°F) 
    Chefchaouen 24°C (74°F)

Should I visit Albufeira or Chefchaouen in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Albufeira and Chefchaouen. Most visitors come to Albufeira for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Chefchaouen attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, Albufeira is generally around the same temperature as Chefchaouen. Daily temperatures in Albufeira average around 19°C (67°F), and Chefchaouen fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In October, Albufeira usually receives more rain than Chefchaouen. Albufeira gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Chefchaouen receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Albufeira 19°C (67°F) 
    Chefchaouen 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Albufeira or Chefchaouen in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Albufeira as well as Chefchaouen. The winter months attract visitors to Albufeira because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chefchaouen throughout the year.

Albufeira is cooler than Chefchaouen in the winter. The daily temperature in Albufeira averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Chefchaouen fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite rainy in Chefchaouen. Albufeira usually gets less rain in January than Chefchaouen. Albufeira gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Chefchaouen receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Albufeira 11°C (52°F) 
    Chefchaouen 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Albufeira or Chefchaouen in the Spring?

Both Chefchaouen and Albufeira are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Albufeira this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Chefchaouen because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

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

In April, Albufeira usually receives more rain than Chefchaouen. Albufeira gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Chefchaouen receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Albufeira 15°C (60°F) 
    Chefchaouen 15°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Chefchaouen and Albufeira

Albufeira Chefchaouen
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 11°C (52°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Feb 12°C (54°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 13°C (56°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)
Mar 14°C (56°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 14°C (57°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 15°C (60°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 15°C (60°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
May 19°C (65°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 18°C (64°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Jun 23°C (73°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 21°C (69°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Jul 25°C (78°F) 1 mm (0 in) 24°C (74°F) 1 mm (0 in)
Aug 26°C (78°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 24°C (75°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 23°C (73°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Oct 19°C (67°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 20°C (68°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Nov 15°C (58°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 16°C (61°F) 113 mm (4.4 in)
Dec 12°C (53°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 13°C (56°F) 144 mm (5.7 in)