Comparison · Lisbon vs Porto · Portugal
Lisbon vs Porto
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 and Tram 28; choose Porto for Port wine, Ribeira, lower day-to-day costs and free sights. Porto is generally less expensive, and the two are about 274 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 274 km
- Less expensive
- Porto
- Best time for Lisbon
- April–June and September–October
- Best time for Porto
- May–June and September–October
Side by side
| Lisbon | Porto | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Portugal | Portugal |
| Known for | Pastel de nata, Tram 28 and Fado | Port wine, Ribeira and Dom Luís I Bridge |
| Best time to visit | April–June and September–October | May–June and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $150–$260 | $120–$210 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Affordable |
| Warmest month | August, 29°C (84°F) | July, 25°C (77°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 15°C (59°F) | January, 14°C (57°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 5 | 8 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 6 |
| Beaches | Carcavelos | Praia de Matosinhos |
| Airports | LIS | OPO |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Lisbon for…
Pastel de nata and Tram 28. 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…
Choose Porto for…
Port wine, Ribeira, lower day-to-day costs and free sights. Porto climbs steeply up the north bank of the Douro river near its mouth on the Atlantic. The UNESCO-listed historic centre runs from the riverside Ribeira quarter up to São Bento station and the Clérigos Tower, while across the Dom Luís I bridge in Vila…
Top sights compared
| # | Lisbon | Porto |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jerónimos Monastery | Ribeira waterfront |
| 2 | Belém Tower | Dom Luís I Bridge |
| 3 | São Jorge Castle | Port-wine lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia |
| 4 | Alfama, the Sé and Santa Luzia | Livraria Lello |
| 5 | Tram 28 | Clérigos Church and Tower |
Food compared
| Lisbon | Porto |
|---|---|
| Custard tart | Francesinha |
| Bacalhau à Brás | Tripe Porto style |
| Grilled sardines | Roast pork sandwich |
| Bifana | Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá |
Which is cheaper?
Porto is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $120–$210 per person there, against $150–$260 in Lisbon (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Porto on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Lisbon and Porto are about 274 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Lisbon and 4 in Porto.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Lisbon or Porto cheaper?
Porto is usually less expensive: about $120–$210 a day mid-range against $150–$260 (estimates).
+Is Lisbon or Porto better for a first trip?
Pick Lisbon for Pastel de nata and Tram 28, or Porto for Port wine, Ribeira, lower day-to-day costs and free sights.
+How far is Lisbon from Porto?
About 274 km in a straight line.