A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Fethiye vs. Portimao for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Fethiye or Portimao?

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

Should I visit Fethiye or Portimao? 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: Fethiye or Portimao?

Fethiye

Fethiye is a tourist town in Lycia on the Mediterranean coast. It has a beautiful marina and plenty of activities during the day or night. Fethiye's size, location, and easy access to transportation make it a great central starting point to explore the area. It's also a popular place to pick up the "Blue Cruise," a popular boat tour along the Mediterranean coast.

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 Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Portugal, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Portimao or Fethiye?

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 Fethiye is $105, while the average daily cost in Portimao is $217. 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 Fethiye and Portimao in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Fethiye $38
    Portimao $91
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Fethiye $76
    Portimao $182
Compare Hotels in Fethiye and Portimao

Looking for a hotel in Fethiye 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.

Hotels in Fethiye


Hotels in Portimao


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: Fethiye Hotel Prices and Portimao Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Fethiye $27
    Portimao $44
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Fethiye

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Fethiye are as follows:


  • Local Bus
    $0.21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fethiye

Also for Fethiye, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Fethiye Jeep Safari With Free Hotel Transfer and Lunch: $30
  • Quad Bike Safari Adventure in Fethiye with Transfer Service: $38
  • Private Transfer: Dalaman Airport to Fethiye Göcek Hotels: $41
  • 12 Islands Boat Tour with Lunch and Transfer Option: $47
  • 12 Islands Boat Tour with Lunch and Hotel Transfer: $50
  • Private Departure Transfer From Fethiye Hotels to Dalaman Airport: $52
  • Private Departure Transfer: Fethiye, Oludeniz Region Hotels to Dalaman Airport: $52
  • From Ferry Transfer to Rhodes: $53
  • Fethiye Scuba Diving with Lunch and Transfer: $54
  • Fethiye Horse Riding Experience With Free Hotel Transfer Service: $55
  • Babadag Cable Car Ticket With Fethiye Transfer: $59
  • Fethiye Scuba Diving Trip with Mermaid Diving INCL Lunch-Transfer: $62

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Portimao

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Portimao:

  • Transfer From Portimão Algarve To Lisboa: $299
  • Private Transfer from Aljezur to Faro (FAO) Airport: $276
  • Private Transfer from Monte Ruivo to Faro (FAO) Airport: $247
  • Private Transfer from Estombar to Faro (FAO) Airport: $159
  • Private Transfer from Alvor to Faro Airport (1-4 pax): $143
  • Private Transfer from Josper Grill Steakhouse Dry Aged to Faro (FAO) Airport: $143
  • Private Transfer from Alvor to Faro (FAO) Airport: $137
  • Private Transfer from Portimao to Faro (FAO) Airport: $134
  • Private Transfer from Algoz to Faro (FAO) Airport: $134
  • Private Transfer from Ferragudo to Faro (FAO) Airport: $124
  • Private Transfer from Armaçao de Pera to Faro (FAO) Airport: $124
  • Private Transfer from Carvoeiro to Faro (FAO) Airport: $110

Is it cheaper to fly into Fethiye or Portimao?

Prices for flights to both Portimao and Fethiye 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
    Fethiye $47
    Portimao $92
Typical Food Prices in Fethiye

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


  • Fruit
    $0.17
  • Soda
    $0.07

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fethiye

For Fethiye, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Turkish Cooking Class in a Village Garden: $94

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Portimao

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

  • Authentic Market & Food Tour in Portimão, Algarve: $90
  • Algarve Food Tour in Portimão: $119

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Fethiye $30
    Portimao $48
Typical Entertainment Prices in Fethiye

For Fethiye, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Paragliding
    $5.81
  • Gorge Walk entry and photo
    $0.13

Tours and Activities in Fethiye

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Fethiye.

  • Full-Day Jeep Tour w/ Saklikent Visit & Lunch: $21
  • Jeep Safari Tour with Tlos, Saklikent, and Mud Bath: $23
  • Fethiye Jeep Safari Tour Including Lunch: $23
  • 12 Islands Boat Tour in Fethiye: $25
  • Tlos, Yakapark and Countryside Highlights Jeep Tour: $30
  • Quad Safari Adventure from Fethiye: $30
  • 7-HourJeep Safari Adventure in Fethiye Turkey: $33
  • Oludeniz Full Day Boat Cruise with Lunch and Butterfly Valley : $34
  • Full Day Oludeniz Boat Tour in Fethiye: $35
  • Turkish Bath Experience in Fethiye/Oludeniz/Hisaronu : $41
  • Full-Day Boat Tour in Fethiye Islands: $42
  • Jeep Safari Tour with Lunch and Natural Mud Bath: $42

Tours and Activities in Portimao

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Portimao are as follows:

  • Dolphin Expedition Shared Speedboat tour with Biologist guide: $65
  • Kayak Tours to Benagil & Marine caves - From Benagil Beach: $30
  • Lagos Portugal Boat Tour : $42
  • Portimão to Benagil: Adrenaline Wave 90 Minutes Cave Tour: $24
  • 4h Private tour in Benagil and Praia da Marinha : $96
  • Adventure in Serra de Monchique - 4 Hours: $54
  • Algarve - Exclusive horseriding in Portimao (no experience required): $60
  • Benagil & Marinha - Costal Adventure: $30
  • Benagil & Marinha Boat Tour: $38
  • Benagil Boat Tour with Local Guide : $25
  • Benagil Catamaran Sailing Cruise with Lunch from Portimão: $57
  • Benagil Cave - Sunrise or Sunset Kayak Tour (Small groups): $41

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Fethiye $13
    Portimao $35

Sample the Local Flavors in Portimao

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Portimao:

  • Lagos, Portimão & Carvoeiro: Wine Tasting, Tapas & Music Tour: $66
  • Vilamoura, Albufeira & Porches: Wine Tasting, Tapas & Music Tour: $66
  • Jeep Safari with Winery Visit and Wine Tasting: $80
  • Algarve Wine Tour of Two Wine Estates: $84
  • Sunset with Wine Tasting: $96
  • Algarve wine tour and lunch in Silves or time to visit the city: $123
  • Algarve wine tour and farmer's lunch at wine estate: $199


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fethiye and Portimao, we can see that Portimao is more expensive. And not only is Fethiye much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Fethiye would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fethiye 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 Fethiye.

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


Which is Bigger, Fethiye or Portimao?

Fethiye has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of Portimao. When comparing the sizes of Fethiye 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 Fethiye 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 Fethiye or Portimao in the Summer?

Both Portimao and Fethiye during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Portimao because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Fethiye is generally around the same temperature as Portimao. Daily temperatures in Fethiye average around 28°C (82°F), and Portimao fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

Fethiye usually gets more rain in July than Portimao. Fethiye gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Portimao receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Fethiye 28°C (82°F) 
    Portimao 25°C (78°F)

Should I visit Fethiye or Portimao in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Fethiye and Portimao. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Portimao this time of year.

Fethiye is around the same temperature as Portimao in the autumn. The daily temperature in Fethiye averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Portimao fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

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


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Fethiye 20°C (68°F) 
    Portimao 19°C (67°F)

Should I visit Fethiye or Portimao in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Fethiye as well as Portimao. Also, many travelers come to Portimao for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In the winter, Fethiye is cooler than Portimao. Typically, the winter temperatures in Fethiye in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Portimao averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Fethiye receives a lot of rain in the winter. Fethiye usually gets more rain in January than Portimao. Fethiye gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Portimao receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Fethiye 10°C (50°F) 
    Portimao 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Fethiye or Portimao in the Spring?

Both Portimao and Fethiye are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Portimao in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Fethiye is generally around the same temperature as Portimao. Daily temperatures in Fethiye average around 16°C (61°F), and Portimao fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

In April, Fethiye usually receives around the same amount of rain as Portimao. Fethiye gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Portimao receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Fethiye 16°C (61°F) 
    Portimao 15°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Portimao and Fethiye

Fethiye Portimao
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (50°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 11°C (52°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Feb 11°C (52°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 12°C (54°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Mar 13°C (55°F) 77 mm (3 in) 14°C (56°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Apr 16°C (61°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 15°C (60°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
May 20°C (68°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 19°C (65°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 8 mm (0.3 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 25°C (78°F) 1 mm (0 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 9 mm (0.4 in) 26°C (78°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Sep 25°C (77°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 24°C (75°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Oct 20°C (68°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 19°C (67°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 15°C (58°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 124 mm (4.9 in) 12°C (53°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)