Comparison · Lisbon vs Madrid · Portugal / Spain
Lisbon vs Madrid
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Quick answer
Choose Lisbon for Pastel de nata, Tram 28 and beaches; choose Madrid for Prado Museum and Tapas. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 502 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 502 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Lisbon
- April–June and September–October
- Best time for Madrid
- April–June and September–October
Side by side
| Lisbon | Madrid | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Portugal | Spain |
| Known for | Pastel de nata, Tram 28 and Fado | Prado Museum, Tapas and Royal Palace |
| Best time to visit | April–June and September–October | April–June and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $150–$260 | $150–$260 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | August, 29°C (84°F) | July, 32°C (90°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 15°C (59°F) | January, 10°C (50°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 5 | 7 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 7 |
| Beaches | Carcavelos | — |
| Airports | LIS | MAD |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Lisbon for…
Pastel de nata, Tram 28 and beaches. Lisbon climbs seven hills above the wide Tagus estuary, a short train ride from Atlantic beaches. The flat Baixa grid, rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake, links the medieval lanes of Alfama and the castle with Chiado and the bar streets of Bairro Alto, while…
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Choose Madrid for…
Prado Museum and Tapas. Spain's capital sits on a high plateau in the centre of the country, and its great draw is the Paseo del Arte: the Prado, the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza museums within a 15-minute walk of each other, beside the Retiro park. The old centre around…
Top sights compared
| # | Lisbon | Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jerónimos Monastery | Prado Museum |
| 2 | Belém Tower | Reina Sofía Museum |
| 3 | São Jorge Castle | Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum |
| 4 | Alfama, the Sé and Santa Luzia | Royal Palace of Madrid |
| 5 | Tram 28 | Retiro Park |
Food compared
| Lisbon | Madrid |
|---|---|
| Custard tart | Churros con chocolate |
| Bacalhau à Brás | Calamari sandwich |
| Grilled sardines | Cocido madrileño |
| Bifana | Huevos rotos |
Which is cheaper?
Lisbon and Madrid cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $150–$260 in Lisbon and $150–$260 in Madrid (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Lisbon on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Lisbon and Madrid are about 502 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Lisbon and 4 in Madrid.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Lisbon or Madrid cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $150–$260 in Lisbon and $150–$260 in Madrid (estimates).
+Is Lisbon or Madrid better for a first trip?
Pick Lisbon for Pastel de nata, Tram 28 and beaches, or Madrid for Prado Museum and Tapas.
+How far is Lisbon from Madrid?
About 502 km in a straight line.