Is Porto better than Lisbon?

Big sister Lisbon is twice the size, more cosmopolitan, faster paced and 200 miles further south, so in summer it can be sweltering. Compact, walkable Porto has a more traditional feel and is cooled by Atlantic breezes through summer, though fog and rain can roll in via the same route during the winter.



People Also Ask

Affordability: Generally speaking, Porto offers a lower cost of living compared to Lisbon.

MORE DETAILS

All in all, if you based yourself in Lisbon and find yourself with an extra day, I would absolutely recommend a day trip to Porto. Yes, the travel time of 3 hours each way may seem long, but you can always sleep, read, or work and since there are early and late departures, you can have a full 8 to 9 hours in Porto.

MORE DETAILS

The one big advantage that Porto has over Lisbon is a lower cost of living. According to Numbeo, as of August 2023, rent prices are approximately 38.6% higher in Lisbon than they are in Porto.

MORE DETAILS

Lisbon and Porto are both hilly cities, but Lisbon is hillier. If you have trouble walking, then Porto is the flatter option and is also a much smaller city so you can see more on-foot or in a short time.

MORE DETAILS

Comfortable walking shoes:Porto is a very walkable city, with many cobblestone streets and steep hills. Comfortable shoes will be essential for exploring the city on foot.

MORE DETAILS

Porto is surprisingly famous for a lot, perhaps most notable is the production of Port wine. Beyond that, there's the historic center of the old town that is incredibly charming. Wandering aimlessly through the winding streets is the best way to discover those Porto secret places.

MORE DETAILS

We recommend spending at least two days in Porto for a slightly more relaxed pace. You can take your time to explore the city's charming streets and neighbourhoods, visit some of the top museums and cultural attractions, and perhaps take a day trip to nearby towns or beaches.

MORE DETAILS

For your first trip to Porto, we think three days is ideal. You'll need two days to take in the city's main highlights, and an extra day to explore the nearby Douro Valley. Being a relatively small city, it's possible to pack all of Porto's main attractions into a day (here's our guide on how to do Porto in a day).

MORE DETAILS

Portugal is a wonderful country and is, indeed, cheaper than France in almost every way possible. But you mustn't make it an alternative to other countries because Portugal has its very own charms that other countries haven't.

MORE DETAILS

If you're looking for the best location to stay in Porto that lets you experience authentic local life while still being close to the city center, Bonfim is our top recommendation. Located just to the east of Baixa and Ribeira, Bonfim is an up-and-coming area of Porto.

MORE DETAILS

The best time to visit Porto is from mid-spring in April until the end of October, when it is still warm and sunny. Nonetheless, the best months are undoubtedly May and September.

MORE DETAILS

Some say that Porto is more of a “foodie” town than Lisbon and that there's more authentic traditional cuisine to be found. That's understandable as Lisbon does cater to a much broader contingent of diners.

MORE DETAILS

With over 3000 hours of sunshine a year, Faro is often regarded as one of the sunniest cities in Europe, alongside near by Tavira. July and August have the most sunshine, while December has the least.

MORE DETAILS

Porto is a walkable city, and the best way to discover is simply by walking. If you stay in the city centre, you probably won't need public transport. If your accommodation is further from the city centre, Porto has an extensive public transport system, with a metro, trams and buses!

MORE DETAILS

Since Porto is fairly compact, you can see all the highlights with 2 days in Porto. Though if you want to really dig into the port wine cellars or have time for a day trip to the Douro Valley, then you might need 3 days in Porto or even 5 days in Porto if you want to go slow!

MORE DETAILS