A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Tampa vs. Portland, Maine for Beaches, Families, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Tampa or Portland, Maine?

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

Should I visit Tampa or Portland, Maine? 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.

Tampa

Tampa is a easy-going, low-key, and laid-back city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include food and beaches. See Tampa travel costs.

Portland, Maine

Portland, Maine is a scenic, picturesque, and seaside coastal town. With stunning beauty, Portland, Maine attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Portland, Maine travel costs.

Tampa and Portland, Maine: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tampa or Portland, Maine?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Tampa than Portland, Maine. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Tampa is very popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling and big city activities, while Portland, Maine attracts visitors for its nightlife, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. Portland, Maine is more touristy than Tampa and is popular for its seafood restaurants, scenic lighthouse, and coastal walks. Tampa is famous for its amusement parks, wildlife parks, and popularity as a cruise ship port. It is also well known for Busch Gardens.

How is Tampa different from Portland, Maine?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is the Food Better in Tampa or Portland, Maine? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Tampa and Portland, Maine can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

Tampa is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a surprising number of great local restaurants around town as well as a good food truck scene. Some favorite dishes include fresh caught seafood, Grouper sandwiches, and Cuban sandwiches.

Portland, Maine offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The town has grown into a foodie destination that takes advantage of its waterfront setting. Many restaurants make use of the fresh seafood with lobster rolls and oysters on the half shell being popular. You'll also find a lot of dishes that use haddock and whole lobsters.

Is Tampa or Portland, Maine Better for Nightlife?

Portland, Maine is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Tampa is lacking in options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Portland, Maine. The city has many microbreweries, wine bars, taverns, and pubs. You'll find many places concentrated in the Old Port, which has a charming and fun atmosphere.

Tampa is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. The city has some good nightclubs, sports bars, and other spots where locals enjoy spending the evening.

Is Tampa or Portland, Maine Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tampa is a city with a few options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Portland, Maine is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Tampa has a few snorkeling spots. While the water isn't always the clearest, there are some nice snorkeling and diving spots in the area. Options include Shell Key and Egmont Key, Crystal River, and Fort De Soto.

Portland, Maine is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tampa or Portland, Maine Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Tampa and Portland, Maine are high quality choices.

Tampa is considered a top beach destination. Popular beaches near Tampa include Ben T. Davis Beach, Fred Howard Park, and Indian Rocks Beach.

Portland, Maine is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. It has many sandy and calm beaches. The water may be too cold to swim, but the beaches are perfect for flying a kite or hanging out with family.

Is Tampa or Portland, Maine Better for Hiking?

Portland, Maine is a popular place for its hiking trails. However, Tampa is not a hiking destination.

Portland, Maine is a good destination for hiking. In addition to bike trails, there are several good hikes in the area.

Tampa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tampa or Portland, Maine?

Portland, Maine is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Portland, Maine has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The town has many nice local boutiques to explore. Head downtown for the best local venues and the most interesting shopping opportunities.

Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Tampa or Portland, Maine More Beautiful?

Portland, Maine is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Tampa is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Portland, Maine attracts visitors from all around. Set against the water's edge, the town offers many beautiful scenes and picturesque settings.

Tampa is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Tampa or Portland, Maine Better for Families?

Tampa is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Tampa is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of kid-oriented attractions including Busch Gardens Amusement Park, several kid-friendly museums, and a number of animal centers, aquariums, and wildlife rescue facilities.

Portland, Maine offers lots of family activities. It is a charming town with a number of kid-friendly museums, walks, and waterfront activities. You can visit the Portland Observatory, Bug Light Park, or grab ice cream in the Old Port. There are also children's museums such as the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine.

Is Tampa or Portland, Maine Better for Couples?

Portland, Maine is a popular place for couples. However, Tampa is lacking in options for romance.

Portland, Maine is a good coastal town for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy the beautiful waterfront setting, the fine dining restaurants, and everything that the city has to offer. Head to the Old Port for romantic restaurants and a great atmosphere or catch a show at Portland Stage.

Tampa is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The area does have great restaurants and some fun places to explore, but the downtown area has room for improvement and much of the city is suburban.

Is Tampa or Portland, Maine Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Neither Tampa or Portland, Maine offer decent public transit.

Public transit is quite limited in Tampa. There is the street car that runs from downtown Tampa to Ybor City and stops at 11 stations.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Portland, Maine. There is a very basic bus system but you really must have a car to explore the city.

Is Tampa or Portland, Maine a more walkable city?

Tampa and Portland, Maine are reasonable when it comes to walkability.

Tampa is generally not a very walkable city. While there are some neighborhoods that are considered walkable, you really need a car if you hope to explore Tampa in depth.

Portland, Maine is generally not very walkable. Downtown is very walkable but if you want to travel to other areas you'll need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Tampa Worth Visiting? and Is Portland, Maine Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Portland, Maine or Tampa?

How long in Tampa or Portland, Maine?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tampa and Portland, Maine. In our opinion, Portland, Maine has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Portland, Maine than Tampa. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Portland, Maine than Tampa 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 Portland, Maine.

One day in Tampa or Portland, Maine?

The low-key destination of Tampa offers food. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Portland, Maine, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this picturesque destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. This coastal 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 Tampa or Portland, Maine?

The city of Tampa offers food. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Portland, Maine. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Tampa or Portland, Maine?

Tampa is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Portland, Maine is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Portland, Maine. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tampa or Portland, Maine?

Many people enjoy the food when visiting Tampa. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find nightlife and food around the picturesque destination of Portland, Maine. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

When comparing the travel costs between Tampa and Portland, Maine, we can see that Portland, Maine 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 North America, 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 Tampa Expensive? and Is Portland, Maine Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Tampa or Portland, Maine?

Tampa has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Portland, Maine. When comparing the sizes of Tampa and Portland, Maine, 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 Tampa or Portland, Maine?

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 Tampa or Portland, Maine in the Summer?

Both Portland, Maine and Tampa during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Tampa because of the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Portland, Maine this time of year.

Tampa is a little warmer than Portland, Maine in the summer. The daily temperature in Tampa averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 69°F (20°C).

In Portland, Maine, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tampa. In the summer, Tampa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Portland, Maine. Tampa gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland, Maine receives 282 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tampa. Tampa usually gets more rain in July than Portland, Maine. Tampa gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampa or Portland, Maine in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampa and Portland, Maine. The city's sights and attractions are the main draw to Tampa this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Portland, Maine for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Tampa is much warmer than Portland, Maine. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tampa in October average around 75°F (24°C), and Portland, Maine averages at about 49°F (9°C).

In Tampa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tampa usually receives more sunshine than Portland, Maine during autumn. Tampa gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Portland, Maine receives 196 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tampa usually receives less rain than Portland, Maine. Tampa gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tampa or Portland, Maine in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tampa as well as Portland, Maine. Many travelers come to Tampa for the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Portland, Maine in the winter for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Portland, Maine can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Tampa is generally much warmer than Portland, Maine. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 60°F (15°C), and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 21°F (-6°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampa this time of the year. In the winter, Tampa often gets more sunshine than Portland, Maine. Tampa gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland, Maine receives 163 hours of full sun.

Tampa usually gets less rain in January than Portland, Maine. Tampa gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampa or Portland, Maine in the Spring?

Both Portland, Maine and Tampa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Tampa in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Portland, Maine for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Tampa is much warmer than Portland, Maine in the spring. The daily temperature in Tampa averages around 71°F (22°C) in April, and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

It's quite sunny in Portland, Maine. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tampa. Tampa usually receives more sunshine than Portland, Maine during spring. Tampa gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Portland, Maine receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tampa usually receives less rain than Portland, Maine. Tampa gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Portland, Maine and Tampa