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

Should you visit Setubal or Bologna?

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

Where Should I go: Setubal or Bologna?

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.

Bologna

Bologna is the capital city of the northern region of Italy, Emilia-Romagna, with a population of 380,000. It is a historical city known well by Italians, however, not as well known among foreigners. The locals of Bologna speak little to no English. The city is most known for having the oldest university in the West. Another reason many visit this city is because of its exquisite cuisine. Many Italians would consider it one of the most beautiful cities in the entire country because of its impeccably preserved historic centers. The best time to visit Bologna is usually between March and October, although bare in mind that July and August can get quite hot.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Bologna or Setubal?

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 Setubal is €149, while the average daily cost in Bologna is €188. 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 Bologna in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Setubal 59
    Bologna 87
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Setubal 118
    Bologna 174
Compare Hotels in Setubal and Bologna

Looking for a hotel in Setubal or Bologna? 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 Bologna


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 Bologna Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Setubal 54
    Bologna 21

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: $24
  • Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach Taxi Boat Transfer Round Trip: $24
  • Setúbal: Ilha Deserta Boat Transfer with Free Time: $29
  • Sesimbra Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $57
  • Transfer Sesimbra to Lisbon Airport: $102
  • Transfers (Lisbon - Évora) / (Évora - Lisbon): $286

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bologna

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bologna:

  • Private Transfer from Bologna (BLQ) Airport to Maranello: $278
  • Bologna to Florence - Departure Private Transfer: $241
  • Private Transfer from Faenza to Bologna (BLQ) Airport: $241
  • Bologna Airport (BLQ) to Florence - Arrival Private Transfer: $231
  • Day Tour Parmigiano, Ferrari Museum, Balsamic, Lambrusco, Lunch with Transfer: $203
  • Private Transfer from Bologna Airport to Florence: $203
  • Airport Transfer: Bologna Airport BLQ to Bologna by Luxury Car: $196
  • Private Transfer from Bologna (BLQ) Airport to Sant'Agata Bolognese: $168
  • Bologna Airport (BLQ) to Ravenna Cruise Port - Arrival Transfer : $159
  • Bologna Airport (BLQ) to Bologna - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $131
  • Private Transfer from Bologna Airport to Bologna city: $131
  • Arrival Private Transfers: Bologna Airport BLQ to Bologna City in Business Car: $125

Is it cheaper to fly into Setubal or Bologna?

Prices for flights to both Bologna 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 60
    Bologna 68

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Setubal

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

  • Traditional Evora Cooking Class & Wine Pairings in Fatima’s Home: $220
  • Lisbon Guided Tour with Live Fado Show and Traditional Dinner : $225
  • Authentic Evora Cooking Class with Wine in Chef Sofia’s Garden: $279

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bologna

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

  • Palermo cooking class: $30
  • Bologna Private Food Tour Eating around the Centre: $72
  • Pasta and Tiramisu Small Group Cooking Class with Wine: $82
  • Bologna Walking Food Tour and Highlights with a Local Guide: $82
  • Bologna Local Pasta Cooking Class: Ragu, Spritz & Mr. Gelato: $88
  • Dinner, Wine & Tastings Walking Tour: $89
  • Tagliatelle & Ragù Home Cooking Class with wine: $90
  • Dining experience at a local's home in Predappio with cooking demo: $101
  • Dining Experience at a local's Home in Forlimpopoli with Show Cooking: $101
  • Dining Experience at a local's Home in Lama Mocogno with Show Cooking: $101
  • Dining Experience at a local's Home in Castelnuovo Rangone with Show Cooking: $101
  • Bologna on the plate, Cooking Class with Alessia: $104

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Setubal 12
    Bologna 38

Tours and Activities in Setubal

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

  • Secrets of Setúbal: Exploration Game and Tour: $7.17
  • Evora from Celts to Romans: Exploration Game and Tour: $7.17
  • Explore the Highlights of Evora: Self-Guided GPS and Audio Tour: $8.32
  • Wines tour and tasting with history in Atalaia: $18
  • Museu Nacional Frei Manuel do Cenáculo E Ticket and 2 Audio Tours: $25
  • Underwater viewing tours along the coast of Sesimbra: $30
  • Gatsby Experience: The Bartender Challenge: $30
  • Évora or Montemor-o-Novo: Guided Tour to Escoural Caves: $30
  • Kayaking experience on DE beaches DA Arrábida: $36
  • Half-Day Kayak Tour in Sesimbra: $42
  • Kayak tour in Sesimbra: $42
  • Sesimbra : Guided Kayak Tour in Arrábida Natural Park & Caves : $42

Typical Entertainment Prices in Bologna

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bologna are as follows:


  • Food Tour (for 2)
    31
  • Wine Tasting Tour (for 2)
    115
  • Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour (for 2)
    67
  • National Gallery Museum Bologna (for 2)
    12
  • Archaeology Museum of Bologna (for 2)
    12

Tours and Activities in Bologna

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

  • 2 Hours walking tour with food stops: $78
  • Archiginnasio Small Group Guided Tour in Bologna: $27
  • Art and taste tour: from Magnani Rocca to Parma ham: $229
  • Best of Bologna Private Guided City Tour of Must-see Sites: $206
  • Best walking tour of Bologna: $203
  • Bologna : Small Group Guided Tour: $29
  • Bologna Audio Tour: Bologna Audio Tour Adventure: $15
  • Bologna By Night Walking Tour: $149
  • Bologna City Highlights Private Guided Tour at Night: $206
  • Bologna City Walking Tour: $30
  • Bologna Classic Guide Bike Tour : $90
  • Bologna Food & Market Tour with 6 Tastings, Pasta, Wines & More: $110

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Setubal 10
    Bologna 28

Sample the Local Flavors in Setubal

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Setubal:

  • Workshop - Wine Tasting 101: $72
  • Sesimbra: Half-Day Tour to Arrabida with Wine Tasting: $143
  • Private Half Day Arrabida Tour with Wine Tasting in Sesimbra: $146
  • Half Day Wine Tour Around Evora: $155
  • Setúbal Wine Tour, famous Moscatel DE Setúbal: $209
  • Lisbon Getaway: Private Arrabida Wine Tour with Cheese Tasting: $212

Sample the Local Flavors in Bologna

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

  • Bologna Pub Crawl to meet people: $19
  • Private wine tasting of Palazzo di Varignana: $21
  • Wine tasting on the hills of Bologna in Dozza: $36
  • Modena area: Lambrusco Wine Tasting Experience: $42
  • Parma Hills and Wine Tasting with Food Platter: $58
  • Montevecchio Isolani wine tasting experience: $60
  • Bologna Food & Wine tour with a local Chef: $75
  • Eating Bologna Food and Wine Tour: $112
  • Food and Wine Tasting Tour in Bologna with Local Guide : $129
  • Cook Fresh Pasta + Wine Tasting (Includes 4-Course Meal): $147
  • Bologna Exclusive Italian Wine Tasting in the centre: $155
  • Bologna Full Day Food Factory Tour and Wine Tasting: $238


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Setubal and Bologna, we can see that Bologna 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 Bologna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bologna 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 Bologna Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Setubal or Bologna?

Bologna has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Setubal. When comparing the sizes of Setubal and Bologna, 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 Bologna?

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 Bologna in the Summer?

Both Bologna and Setubal during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bologna this time of year.

In July, Setubal is generally around the same temperature as Bologna. Daily temperatures in Setubal average around 23°C (73°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Bologna, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Setubal. In the summer, Setubal often gets more sunshine than Bologna. Setubal gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 316 hours of full sun.

Setubal usually gets less rain in July than Bologna. Setubal gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Setubal 23°C (73°F) 
    Bologna 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Setubal or Bologna in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Setubal and Bologna. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bologna for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Setubal is a little warmer than Bologna in the autumn. The daily temperature in Setubal averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Bologna fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Setubal, it's very sunny this time of the year. Setubal usually receives more sunshine than Bologna during autumn. Setubal gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Bologna receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Setubal usually receives less rain than Bologna. Setubal gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Setubal 19°C (66°F) 
    Bologna 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Setubal or Bologna in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Setubal as well as Bologna. Additionally, many visitors come to Bologna in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bologna can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Setubal is much warmer than Bologna. Typically, the winter temperatures in Setubal in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Bologna averages at about 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Setubal often gets more sunshine than Bologna. Setubal gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 105 hours of full sun.

Setubal receives a lot of rain in the winter. Setubal usually gets more rain in January than Bologna. Setubal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Setubal 12°C (53°F) 
    Bologna 2°C (36°F)

Should I visit Setubal or Bologna in the Spring?

Both Bologna and Setubal are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Bologna for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Setubal is generally a little warmer than Bologna. Daily temperatures in Setubal average around 16°C (60°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Setubal. Setubal usually receives more sunshine than Bologna during spring. Setubal gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Setubal usually receives less rain than Bologna. Setubal gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Setubal 16°C (60°F) 
    Bologna 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Bologna and Setubal

Setubal Bologna
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 2°C (36°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 5°C (40°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 9°C (47°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 13°C (55°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 17°C (63°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 21°C (70°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 24°C (75°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 16°C (61°F) 123 mm (4.8 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 8°C (46°F) 124 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 7°C (45°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)