1 Vibe. The first thing I thought about when visiting Lisbon or Porto is the vibe of the city. The saying goes, “Porto works, Braga Prays, Coimbra studies, and Lisbon gets the money.”. Lisbon clearly is the richer city. It’s larger, more developed, generally cleaner, busier, and feels much more cosmopolitan. Porto has a lot of traditional little family restaurants to discover in the old quarter while Lisbon has a bigger choice of International Cuisine. And in terms of beverages, Porto is famous for the Port wine and the caves you can visit right in the city. In Lisbon, the main drink is the ginjinha liquor, a sweet cherry-base drink. Both cities are close to the Atlantic Ocean and are blessed with beautiful beaches that are just a few miles away. Porto’s beaches are slightly easier to reach; for instance, the resort of Foz sits just within the city limits, where Rio Douro meets the ocean. However, in general, Lisbon enjoys sunnier days and warmer temperatures than its northern sister so most surf travellers tend to go there. Lisbon vs Porto. Lisbon. Porto. How does Lisbon compare to Porto? °C higher average temperature? °C vs 14°C; million more inhabitants? million vs 0. Why choose Porto over Lisbon. Porto has awakened for tourism much later and it shows. And that’s OK! The Portuguese essence is much more conveyed here, whether is it in the people, the food or in the lifestyle. Porto definitely feels more authentic. It’s the sort of place where hidden gems are pretty much everywhere.

Porto versus Lisbon: which should you visit first? Amanda Tomlin. Continue reading to find out more about Which city has the most beautiful views?

Where can I find the best local food? And what about fine dining? What about the big sights? This sweet beverage is very tasty and inexpensive.

To have a complete experience, stop by A Ginjinha Bar. Yes, to tone your legs. No joke. Lisbon is nestled among seven hills and stairs here is serious business.

Some see this is an issue, but we see it as an opportunity to burn some calories of all the cheese we ate there. Anyways, our best Lisbon travel tip is to pack comfortable walking shoes.

Because Lisbon is bigger and more touristy than Porto, finding good accommodation is much easier there. Granted, Lisbon is generally more expensive than Porto, but it also means it has a better infrastructure to receive tourists.

Chiado is an excellent neighborhood in Lisbon close to many attractions and most restaurants we visited. Besides the excellent restaurants and bars in the area, of course.

However, this is not the quietest neighborhood. Click here to check the latest prices and book your stay at Solar dos Poetas Hotel in Lisbon.

On the other hand, for those looking for a quieter area and a cheaper hotel, the easyHotel is a great option. In Porto, the old center is called Ribeira, on the North shore of the Douro river.

However if you are claustrophobic, know that there are many narrow streets with not much light entering. In Lisbon the best-known oldest neighborhood is Alfama.

It is home to the fado music. Most houses are white limestone with light colors for some houses. Houses are not as packed as in Porto but display less character.

That is a very personal thing to feel. Both cities are famous for great nightlife and ambiance. Lisbon is more international while Porto is more traditional.

I felt welcome in both cities, but I felt that Porto had more Soul than Lisbon. In terms of food and drinks, both cities have a lot to offer.

Porto has a lot of traditional little family restaurants to discover in the old quarter while Lisbon has a bigger choice of International Cuisine. And in terms of beverages, Porto is famous for the Port wine and the caves you can visit right in the city.

In Lisbon, the main drink is the ginjinha liquor, a sweet cherry-base drink. They both have great food tours to learn more about the local gastronomy and taste delicious products.

For example:. In terms of museums, Lisbon is clearly the winner. Lisbon has a great variety of museums covering art, history, technology You can find a museum for everyone with world renowned exhibitions.

The beaches in Porto are very close by and easy to access. In comparison, in Lisbon, they require a bit more driving or bus ride to be reached.

But I found the beaches in the region of Lisbon way more beautiful than the ones close to Porto. Both regions of Porto and Lisbon are fascinating in terms of History and Nature.

You won't get bored, there is so much to see and do without going very far! What is the verdict? Porto or Lisbon? Your email address will not be published.

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Become an affiliate for the ZigZag road trip guides. Share 0. Tweet 0. Pin 0. The capital has the advantage on this one, just because the offer is bigger.

Amazing value for money! All of these are located in the heart of the city, with WiFi and a rating of 8 or higher! Charmingly music-themed hotel, super close to the center.

Oh it comes with this stunning rooftop swimming pool. Most of them can even address you in good English which drops the communication barrier even more!

Still, it is pretty much accepted throughout the country that people from the North are more friendly the same happens in Game of Thrones , this must be a thing.

Whether was during the months I lived there or in all my trips afterward, Porto always made me feel at home. That is definitely something in the crazy world of today.

To give you a better idea of the prices we are talking about, take a look at the table below. It contains the average prices of some items, as per Porto is very close to some other worthy-to-see cities in Northern Portugal.

But the most spectacular attraction near Porto is the Douro Valley , where wine has been produced for centuries. Lisbon is not inferior in terms of daytrips.

Sintra is also a fantastic getaway.