Lisbon or Porto: Where Should You Vacation in Portugal?

If you ask someone who’s visited Portugal whether they prefer Lisbon or Porto, you might not get a straight answer. That’s because both cities are packed with charm, history and more stunning viewpoints than your camera roll can handle.

So, which one should you visit? The answer depends on what kind of traveller you are. Do you seek out ocean breezes and vibrant bars or are you drawn to cozy alleyways and glasses of ruby-red Port? Keep on reading to get our Lisbon vs. Porto breakdown and to discover which destination is right for you.

• Geography and climate
• Language
• Transportation
• Accommodations
• Attractions and nightlife
• Currency and affordability

If you were basing your vacation plans off geography alone, you wouldn’t need to choose to visit Porto or Lisbon. Situated less than 350km apart, it’s entirely possible to visit both destinations in the same trip — there’s even a direct train that connects the two cities. Might as well, right?

Still, there are a few key differences to be aware of in terms of weather. While Lisbon is on the southwestern coast of Portugal at the mouth of the Tagus River, Porto is located just outside the Douro River Valley in northern Portugal. As such, the former has a mild Mediterranean climate (i.e. hot summer months, cool winter months) and the latter has a rainier marine climate.

Travellers should also consider the size of each city before deciding which one to spend more time in; Lisbon (100km²) is more than twice the size of Porto (41km²). This means there’s more to do in the capital city, but also greater distances to navigate between each attraction. Porto, meanwhile, is more compact and therefore a bit easier to explore.

Portugal’s official language is — you guessed it! — Portuguese. Before you go, learn a few basic words and phrases that you can use throughout your travels, such as:

• Olá — Hello
• Como está? — How are you?
• Por favor — Please
• Obrigado/a — Thank you
• Desculpe — Sorry
• Sim — Yes
• Não — No

Speaking the local language shows respect and can help get a conversation off to a good start. That said, English is also widely spoken in both Lisbon and Porto, so you shouldn’t have any trouble communicating with anyone (Fala inglês? is “Do you speak English?” btw).

The effort required to get to either Porto or Lisbon actually depends on where you’re travelling from. While both have an international airport, direct flights to them aren’t available from all Canadian cities; those departing from Vancouver or Calgary, for instance, will have to deal with a layover.

But once you arrive, navigation is simple. As Portugal’s two largest cities, Lisbon and Porto have reliable public transport systems that include buses, trams and metros — and taxis and Ubers are also readily available. Lisbon and Porto are each quite walkable, too! Just keep in mind that they’re made up of hills, cobblestone streets and stairs that may prove difficult for travellers with limited mobility.

Feel like going on a day trip? You’re in luck in either destination. From Lisbon, it’s easy to visit Sintra (home to the colourful Pena Palace), Cascais, Óbidos and Ericeria. If you’re staying in Porto, you can venture over to Braga, Guimarães, Aveiro or the Douro Valley. The latter, one of the top European destinations for wine lovers, is just a short train ride away.

Neither destination can be described as a “resort town”, but both Porto and Lisbon offer solo travellers, couples and families some incredible places to stay. From budget-friendly apartment rentals to one-of-a-kind boutique hotels, you’re guaranteed to find accommodations that suit your travel style and budget.

Here are a few of our top picks:

• Hilton Porto Gaia: Situated just south of the Douro River in Vila Novo de Gaia, this is a great choice if you want to take in extraordinary views of Porto. The fact that it’s housed in a refurbished wine warehouse is pretty cool, too.
• Mercure Porto Centro Santa Catarina: Built in 1920, the Mercure Porto Centro Santa Carina is one of the most historic hotels in Porto — plus, it’s located in the lively Ribeira district.
• Zero Box Lodge: How much time do you realistically spend in your hotel room while on vacation? With its minimalist rooms (no windows!) Zero Box Lodge encourages you to get out and explore Porto.

Wine tastings, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, beautiful beaches, historic city squares — Lisbon and Porto have a lot to offer. So, how do they compare in terms of attractions and nightlife? 

Here are the similarities and differences you should know about before you go: 

With their old-world charm and narrow streets, Lisbon and Porto have a lot in common — but their energies are very different. Thanks to its vibrant neighbourhoods, hip restaurants and bars, colourful street art and rattling trams, the former has often been compared to San Francisco. Lisbon’s city centre is buzzing throughout the day and comes even more alive at night.

Porto, on the other hand, has a more laid-back vibe. Here, it’s all about slowing down, strolling along the river and discovering quaint churches, gardens and shops. In fact, Harry Potter fans flock here to visit Livraria Lello, the bookstore that served as inspiration for the Hogwarts library.

Speaking of things to see and do! Lisbon has more tourist attractions and historical sites — including the São Jorge Castle, Belém Tower, Lisbon Cathedral and Monument of Discoveries — but Porto certainly isn’t lacking in this department. The Dom Luís I Bridge, Crystal Palace Gardens and Chapel of Souls (an 18^th-century building covered in blue azulejo tiles) give Lisbon’s landmarks a serious run for their money.

No matter where you stay in Portugal, one thing’s for sure: you won’t be starved of good food. The dishes you get in each city will vary though!

In Lisbon, you’ll find more modern Portuguese cuisine and upscale restaurants — as well as the Time Out Market Lisboa. The menus here also feature a ton of seafood given the city’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.

Porto’s cuisine is more humble and hearty. Here, you’d be remiss not to indulge in dobrada (traditional tripe stew), Francesinha (a multi-layer sandwich that’s smothered in melted cheese and a tomato-and-beer sauce) and, of course, pastel de nata (an egg custard tart).

Planning on sampling some Portuguese wines during your travels? Porto wins this battle, hands down. The nearby city of Vila Nova de Gaia boasts some of the world’s best Port lodges and most famous Port wine cellars — and, as mentioned, the Douro Valley region is basically right next door.

Since Lisbon and Porto are both in Portugal, there’s no difference when it comes to currency — you’ll need to exchange your Canadian dollars for euros whether you choose to visit the coastal capital city or the Port wine city.

One thing to note, however, is that your trip will generally be more expensive if you visit Lisbon (though not too much more expensive). Since Porto is a less touristy city, its accommodations, food and wine, attractions and activities will be slightly cheaper.

As you can tell, there’s no easy way to solve the Lisbon vs. Porto debate. Each city is special, and both deserve a spot on your travel bucket list. Ready to book Lisbon or Porto (or both!) for your next trip? Check out our latest deals or contact a Travel Expert today.