Which is better Porto or 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

To get a well-rounded experience of Portugal, it makes sense to try to visit both places. Ideally, I'd recommend three or four nights in Lisbon (in order to do a day trip to Sintra) and two nights in Porto. On the shortest itinerary I would plan on two nights in each city. Fly into one city and out of the other.

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

So, how many days to explore Lisbon? We always recommend that it takes three days to fully explore Lisbon. This is sufficient to visit all of the characterful districts, experience the nightlife and join a couple of unique activities.

MORE DETAILS

Travel by Train: The railway offers regular and direct services from Porto to Lisbon, and is the recommended means of travel. The fastest train (the Alfa Pendular service) takes 2h50minutes, while seats on the slightly slower Intercidades (intercity) service only cost €25.10 for an adult single.

MORE DETAILS

11 Most Beautiful Places in Portugal
  • Belém Tower, Lisbon.
  • Sete Cidades, Azores.
  • Jerónimos Monastery, Lisbon.
  • Madeira Botanical Gardens, Funchal.
  • Peneda-Gerês National Park, Porto.
  • Monserrate Palace, near Sintra.
  • 25th April Bridge, Lisbon.
  • The Douro Valley, Porto.


MORE DETAILS

For anyone visiting Portugal in pursuit of luxury, Vale do Lobo is a must. This stunning part of the country is situated in the heart of the Algarve region, providing an excellent base for those looking to explore the area. Vale do Lobo is renowned for its beach offering.

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

Probably the easiest way of traveling from Lisbon to Porto is by train. There are frequent connections between the capital and the second biggest city in Portugal. The journey time is between 2 hours and 40 minutes and 3 hours and 10 minutes, depending on the train you take.

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

Yes, Lisbon is walkable. While it has a reputation for being hilly, Lisbon's historic streets are indeed walkable. There is no need to rent a car, just remember to pack some good walking shoes!

MORE DETAILS

The best time to visit Lisbon is either from March to May or September to October, because the weather is still warm, hotel rates are cheaper and there are fewer crowds than in summer. In those seasons, you might also be able to squeeze in a few beach days.

MORE DETAILS

Yes, A day trip to Porto from Lisbon is definitely possible. So how far is Lisbon from Porto? The two cities are less than 200 miles (320 km) apart, and the journey takes a little over 3 hours by car or slightly less by train. You can also take a tour or even book a private transfer.

MORE DETAILS

Train is best option travel between lisbon to porto The approximate 326 kilometre train trip from Lisbon to Porto takes 2 hours and 37 minutes. The Lisbon to Porto train service, run by Comboios De Portugal, departs from Lisboa - Oriente and arrives in Vila Nova De Gaia-Devesas. 115 trains typically run each week.

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

With 5 days in Porto, you could absolutely create an itinerary customized to your own interests. You could take a deeper dive on art and architecture, visit all the churches of Porto, or even spend more time learning about Portuguese wine (beyond Porto) with a Douro Valley tour.

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