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

Should you visit Kos or Porto?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kos and Porto can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Kos

Kos is a vibrant, beautiful, and ancient island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Porto

Porto is a cultural, cosmopolitan, and dynamic 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. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Kos and Porto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kos or Porto?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Porto. Although Kos and Porto are both popular with visitors, Porto has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Porto is more popular for its historical sights and big city activities, while Kos is known for its museums, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Porto is more touristy than Kos and is known for its authentic old town and the local port wine. It is also home to Cais da Ribeira. Kos is popular for its sandy beaches and crystal clear blue water.

How is Kos different from Porto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Kos is very popular for its historical sights. Also, Porto is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its sights and museums.

Travelers visit Kos from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The small island is packed with archaeological sites and interesting history. Famous places worth visiting include the ruins of Asklepion, the ancient Agora, Roman Odeon, Neratzia Castle, and so many more!

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Porto can be an interesting and educational experience. 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 Kos or Porto? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Kos and Porto offer amazing local cuisine and restaurants.

Many restaurants in Kos have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The cuisine relies heavily on locally harvested ingredients with many dishes featuring cheese, seafood, vegetables, olive oil, and potatoes. The dishes are influenced by Italian and Turkish cuisines and common dishes include moussaka, souvlaki and tzatziki. Popular seafood options are prawns, squid, lobster and octopus. A great way to enjoy a sampling of local dishes is to visit an ouzeri, which is a Greek taverna that serves mezza style meals with small dishes that you can share.

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.

Is Kos or Porto Better for Nightlife?

Both Kos and Porto have superb vibes after the sun sets.

Kos has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. For such a small island you'll find a huge party scene during the peak summer months. There are almost nightly parties, beach raves, and late night clubs throughout the summer months. The bars and clubs are mostly concentrated around a couple of streets in the center of Kos Town, but Kardamena is also a lively party area. It's popular with British tourists who head here for the all-night clubs.

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.

Is Kos or Porto Better for Resorts?

Kos is very good for its luxury resorts. However, Porto is not a resort destination.

Kos has a handful of resorts to choose from. It's a smaller island and there aren't as many resorts here as there are on some of the larger Greek islands. Some of the best resort areas include Lamp and Psalidi to the northwest, Tigaki on the west coast (a good option for families), as well as Mastihari and Marmari which both have relaxed atmospheres. The younger crowd often hangs out around Kardemena on the east coast.

Porto is not a resort destination.

Is Kos or Porto Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Kos is very popular for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Porto is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The scuba diving and snorkeling in Kos is not to be missed. There are countless snorkeling sports around the island where you can immerse yourself in the undersea world. Popular snorkeling areas include Camel Beach and Limnionas Beach. Make sure you understand the water conditions before heading into the water.

Porto is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Kos or Porto Better for Beaches?

Kos is very popular for its beaches. However, Porto is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Kos is a very popular vacation destination. The island is famous for its beautiful beaches, many of which are sandy with various shades of color. There are touristy beaches with plenty of amenities as well as less frequented beaches that offer a quieter and more remote atmosphere. Some of the most visited beaches on the island include Agios Stefanos, Kardamena, Kefalos and Lambi while some of the more peaceful areas are Cavo Paradiso and Helona Beach.

Porto is not a beach destination.

Is Kos or Porto Better for its Old Town?

Porto is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. However, Kos does not have a historic old town.

Porto is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Kos does not have a historic old town.

Is Kos or Porto Better for Hiking?

Kos is very good for hiking. However, Porto is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Kos. This is a great walking island with a number of easy walks or hikes that take you along the coastline or through interesting landscapes.

Porto is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kos or Porto?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Kos and Porto.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Kos. There are a number of traditional items that you can pick up while you're in town. Fun souvenirs include jewelry, leather items, and perfumes.

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

Is Kos or Porto Better for Families?

Porto is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Kos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Porto is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Kos. It's comparable to other Greek islands when it comes to kids' activities. Kos Town can get a bit lively at night so if you want to avoid the party crowds, then those areas are easily avoided. Popular activities include exploring ancient ruins, going to the Kos Archaeological Museum, visiting The Castle of the Knights, and of course, hanging out at the beach. One of the best family-friendly resort areas is Tigaki along the west coast.

Is Kos or Porto Better for Couples?

Both Kos and Porto are superb destinations for a couple's getaway.

Kos makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This small island offers beautiful beaches and plenty of ancient ruins to explore. Kos Town is where you'll find the liveliest atmosphere but for some of the best resorts you'll want to stay in one of the resort suburbs like Lampi or Psalidi.

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.

Is Kos or Porto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Porto is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Kos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Porto. By combining world-class activities with affordability, this city has become a popular stop off for backpackers in the area.

Kos is a great island to visit for backpackers. It's a small island but has a few hostels and a variety of apartments available for rent. Despite its small size, there are areas where you'll want to have a car if you wish to explore, but if you stay in town you'll find getting around fairly easy. The island attracts its share of young travelers and you'll find plenty of people to hang out with.

Is Kos or Porto Better for Students?

Porto is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Kos is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Porto. The city has a number of good research programs and study abroad opportunities that attract international students from around the world.

Kos is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find superb public transit in both Kos and Porto.

Visitors to Kos can move around easily with public transportation. Buses connect many of the tourist destinations including beaches, cultural sights, are resort areas.

The public transit in Porto can get you around easily. 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 Kos or Porto a more walkable city?

Kos and Porto are superb when it comes to walkability.

Kos is very walkable. It's small size means it's possible to explore parts of the island on foot or bicycle. There are some beautiful walks on the island, but some areas will require a car or bus.

Porto is a very walkable island. 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 Kos Worth Visiting? and Is Porto Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Porto or Kos?

How long in Kos or Porto?

In either Kos or Porto, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Kos has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Kos than Porto. However, 2-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Porto than Kos 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 Kos or Porto?

In Kos, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this beautiful destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

When visiting Porto, people usually allow for lots of time. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One of the main draws to the area is the food. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A weekend in Kos or Porto?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kos. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

Many people visit Porto for a weekend. When visiting Porto, people usually allow for lots of time. One of the main draws to the area is the food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Kos or Porto?

Kos is a fun place to experience. In Kos, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this destination offers. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

When visiting Porto, people usually allow for lots of time. Many people spend five days here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the food. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

A week in Kos or Porto?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the beautiful destination of Kos. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Porto, a popular port city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Athens, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Greece, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal.

When comparing the travel costs between Kos and Porto, we can see that Kos is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Kos or Porto?

Porto has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Kos. When comparing the sizes of Kos 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.