Comparison · Madrid vs Porto · Spain / Portugal
Madrid vs Porto
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Choose Madrid for Prado Museum and Tapas; choose Porto for Port wine, Ribeira, lower day-to-day costs and beaches. Porto is generally less expensive, and the two are about 423 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 423 km
- Less expensive
- Porto
- Best time for Madrid
- April–June and September–October
- Best time for Porto
- May–June and September–October
Side by side
| Madrid | Porto | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Spain | Portugal |
| Known for | Prado Museum, Tapas and Royal Palace | 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 | July, 32°C (90°F) | July, 25°C (77°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 10°C (50°F) | January, 14°C (57°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 7 | 8 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | Praia de Matosinhos |
| Airports | MAD | OPO |
Which one is right for you?
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…
Choose Porto for…
Port wine, Ribeira, lower day-to-day costs and beaches. 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
| # | Madrid | Porto |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prado Museum | Ribeira waterfront |
| 2 | Reina Sofía Museum | Dom Luís I Bridge |
| 3 | Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum | Port-wine lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia |
| 4 | Royal Palace of Madrid | Livraria Lello |
| 5 | Retiro Park | Clérigos Church and Tower |
Food compared
| Madrid | Porto |
|---|---|
| Churros con chocolate | Francesinha |
| Calamari sandwich | Tripe Porto style |
| Cocido madrileño | Roast pork sandwich |
| Huevos rotos | 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 Madrid (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Porto on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Madrid and Porto are about 423 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Madrid and 4 in Porto.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Madrid or Porto cheaper?
Porto is usually less expensive: about $120–$210 a day mid-range against $150–$260 (estimates).
+Is Madrid or Porto better for a first trip?
Pick Madrid for Prado Museum and Tapas, or Porto for Port wine, Ribeira, lower day-to-day costs and beaches.
+How far is Madrid from Porto?
About 423 km in a straight line.