A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Geneva vs. Porto for Food, Backpackers, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Geneva or Porto?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Geneva and Porto. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Geneva

Geneva is a classy, diverse, and international city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Porto

Porto is a cosmopolitan, dynamic, and historic port city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Geneva and Porto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Geneva or Porto?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Porto than Geneva, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Porto is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Geneva is known for its shopping. Porto is more touristy than Geneva and is popular for its authentic old town and the local port wine. It is also home to Cais da Ribeira. Geneva is popular for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization.

How is Geneva different from Porto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Porto and Geneva. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Geneva or Porto?

Both Geneva and Porto have high quality landmarks and museums for visitors.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Geneva. Famous sights and landmarks include the spectacular Water Jet, St Pierre Cathedral, and the Palais des Nations. There are also impressive art and history museums in the city.

Porto offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. With such a long history, there are many landmarks and sights in the city. Popular attractions include the Clérigos Tower, Palácio da Bolsa, and Igreja de São Francisco.

Is the Food Better in Geneva or Porto? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Porto is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eat your way through Porto, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The area's cuisine combines the ocean setting with the agriculture of the surrounding area, so you'll enjoy both seafood dishes as well as fresh meats and vegetables. The area is also famous for its Port wines and red wines. There are plenty of cellar tours as well was waterfront seafood restaurants to choose from.

Geneva has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city has an amazing mix of traditional Swiss restaurants as well as diverse ethnic options. Traditional dishes include fondue and raclette, both of which involve the decadent Swiss cheese.

Is Geneva or Porto Better for Nightlife?

Porto is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The people in Porto know how to have a good time. This city comes to life in the evening, particularly on weekends when locals and tourists alike flock to the many bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.

If you're looking for night time activities Geneva has a few options to choose from. During the day the city is all business, but at night the professionals, interns, students, and NGO workers all come together to enjoy a drink at a bar or dance at one of the city's diverse clubs.

Is Geneva or Porto Better for its Old Town?

Porto is a great destination for its historic old town. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Porto. Known as Porto Ribeira, the city's historic district is the most visited part of the town. It begins on the banks of the River Douro and climbs into the hills behind it.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Geneva. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.

Is the Shopping Better in Geneva or Porto?

Geneva is very popular for shopping. Also, Porto is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Geneva. Famous for its posh shops and luxury brands, this city is a popular shopping destination. From chic boutiques to deluxe toy stores, you'll find something for everyone. In particular, the city is known for its Swiss watches, Swiss Army knives, chocolate, and wine.

Porto offers some nice shopping areas. The city has both your standard shopping mall stores as well as local vendors and boutique shops.

Is Geneva or Porto Better for Families?

Porto is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Porto is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has several cool museums including the interactive museum - The World of Discoveries. There are also parks, playgrounds, zoos, and aquariums that you can explore. For families that enjoy being outside, this is a great city. Kids will enjoy spotting street art, riding the funicular, and taking a cellar tour. If the kids need a break from the city, head to the beach for the day.

Geneva offers lots of family activities. This diverse city has a number of chocolate shops, toy stores, and parks where kids can play. They'll be impressed by the Water Jet and there are few places where you can swim in the lake when the weather is warm.

Is Geneva or Porto Better for Couples?

Porto is a great destination for romance. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Porto frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. You can visit the palaces, enjoy shopping, or dine in a nice Portuguese restaurant. Take a cellar tour and sample port then catch a ride on the funicular. This city has plenty for couples to do on a romantic getaway.

Geneva makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Wandering Old Town, sampling Swiss chocolate, and enjoying one of the many ethnic restaurants around town all make for great date activities. Fondue in a traditional restaurant is also a not to be missed experience.

Is Geneva or Porto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Porto is an unbeatable place for backpackers. However, Geneva is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Porto is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. By combining world-class activities with affordability, this city has become a popular stop off for backpackers in the area.

Geneva is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city is often overlooked by backpackers as it is pretty expensive. Many hotels cater to the business traveler crowd, but there are a few hostels to choose from.

Is Geneva or Porto Better for Students?

Geneva and Porto are high quality places to visit for students.

Many students visit Geneva. The University of Geneva attracts many international students and the city is quite diverse. It feels like a mixing bowl of cultures, so students will feel very welcomed and comfortable here.

Porto is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has a number of good research programs and study abroad opportunities that attract international students from around the world.

Is Geneva or Porto Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Geneva is very popular for times when you don't have a car. Also, Porto is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its public transit.

Geneva has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

Porto has some very good public transit options. There is a metro system as well as a bus system. While the metro system does have six lines, most stations aren't close to the tourist attractions, so it likely won't be that helpful to visitors.

Is Geneva or Porto a more walkable city?

Geneva and Porto both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Geneva is very walkable. Most areas where visitors spend their time can be easily explored on foot.

Porto is a very walkable city. The city center is very compact with most of the sights within a short walk of each other. The area is also very hilly, so getting from place to place can require a bit of effort.

For even more information, also check out Is Geneva Worth Visiting? and Is Porto Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Porto or Geneva?

How long in Geneva or Porto?

In either Geneva or Porto, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Porto than Geneva because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Geneva, and 2-5 days is enough time in Porto.

Families should spend more time in Porto than Geneva. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Porto, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Porto than Geneva. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Porto that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Porto than Geneva if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Porto.

One day in Geneva or Porto?

Each neighborhood in Geneva has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Lots of people come for the shopping. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the big city destination of Porto. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Geneva or Porto?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Geneva. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Porto is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Geneva or Porto?

Geneva is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the big city destination of Geneva. Lots of people come for the shopping. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Porto. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Geneva or Porto?

You'll find food and shopping around the classy big city of Geneva. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the shopping. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the dynamic big city of Porto. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Geneva and Porto, we can see that Geneva is more expensive. And not only is Porto much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Porto would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Porto and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Geneva would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Geneva than you might in Porto.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Geneva Expensive? and Is Porto Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Geneva or Porto?

Porto has a larger population, and is about 36% larger than the population of Geneva. When comparing the sizes of Geneva and Porto, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Geneva or Porto?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Geneva or Porto in the Summer?

Both Porto and Geneva during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Geneva for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Porto in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Geneva is around the same temperature as Porto in the summer. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Porto fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

In Porto, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Geneva. In the summer, Geneva often gets less sunshine than Porto. Geneva gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Porto receives 308 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets more rain in July than Porto. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Porto receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Porto in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Geneva and Porto. Many visitors come to Geneva in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Porto for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Geneva is cooler than Porto. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Geneva in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Porto averages at about 17°C (62°F).

Geneva usually receives less sunshine than Porto during autumn. Geneva gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Porto receives 184 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Porto receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Geneva usually receives less rain than Porto. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Porto receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Geneva or Porto in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Geneva as well as Porto. Most visitors come to Geneva for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Porto because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Geneva can be very cold during winter. In January, Geneva is generally much colder than Porto. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 4°C (39°F), and Porto fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the winter, Geneva often gets less sunshine than Porto. Geneva gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Porto receives 124 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Porto. Geneva usually gets less rain in January than Porto. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Porto receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Porto in the Spring?

Both Porto and Geneva are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Geneva because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Porto this time of year.

Geneva is cooler than Porto in the spring. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Porto fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Porto. Geneva usually receives less sunshine than Porto during spring. Geneva gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Porto receives 217 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Porto. In April, Geneva usually receives less rain than Porto. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Porto receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Porto and Geneva