A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lisbon vs. Akureyri for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Lisbon or Akureyri?

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

Should I visit Lisbon or Akureyri? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Lisbon or Akureyri?

Lisbon

Portugal's capital city of Lisbon continues to grow in popularity as a travel destination. The cultural scene has come to life in recent years and the city itself is stunningly beautiful. It sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and is made up of hills that create a dramatic and scenic layout. The city has many white-bleached limestone buildings, narrow alleyways, and a laidback charm that appeals to visitors.

Akureyri

Akureyri is the largest town in the northern region of Iceland, and is often considered the unofficial capital of the north. The town is a popular fishing port and is often used as a basecamp for visiting the more rural surrounding area. Akureyri is known for their great art scene, beautiful architecture, and stunning natural scenery.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland.


Which place is cheaper, Akureyri or Lisbon?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Lisbon is €167, while the average daily cost in Akureyri is €163. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Lisbon and Akureyri in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lisbon 63
    Akureyri 89
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lisbon 126
    Akureyri 178
Compare Hotels in Lisbon and Akureyri

Looking for a hotel in Lisbon or Akureyri? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Lisbon


Hotels in Akureyri


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Lisbon Hotel Prices and Akureyri Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lisbon 25
    Akureyri 20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lisbon

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:


  • Taxi Ride
    6.50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon

Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Private Transfer to Cascais - Sintra - Estoril: $50
  • Airport Private Transfer to Costa da Caparica | Almada | Aroeira: $50
  • Airport Transfer | Cruise Port - Estoril | Cascais | Sintra: $88
  • Airport Transfer: Lisbon to Lisbon Airport LIS by Business Car: $71
  • Airport Transfer: Lisbon to Lisbon Airport LIS in Luxury Van: $103
  • Airport transfer to any destination: $128
  • Costa da Caparica Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $35
  • From Private Transfer to Porto: $265
  • Intercity Transfers In and Out from Lisbon: $51
  • Jardim do Tabaco Quay Lisbon Cruise Port to Lisbon -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $49
  • Lisbon - Coimbra, Private Transfer & up to 3 Cities visits: $640
  • Lisbon Airport (LIS) to Lisbon hotel - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $52

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Akureyri

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Akureyri:

  • Transfer to Akureyri Airport from your Stay: $32
  • Transfer from Accommodation to Akureyri Airport: $29
  • Seamless Transfer from Akureyri Airport to Your Stay: $32
  • From Godafoss Waterfall Guided Trip with Transfers: $129
  • Whale Watching Tour with Transfer from Port: $141
  • Akureyri Airport (AEY): Transfer to/from Akureyri City: $32

Is it cheaper to fly into Lisbon or Akureyri?

Prices for flights to both Akureyri and Lisbon change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Lisbon 73
    Akureyri 61
Typical Food Prices in Lisbon

For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Coffee
    2.50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisbon

For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Lisbon Night Luxury Boat Vibes with Drinks & Pizza: $31
  • Lisbon Luxury Cruise Experience with Sangria & Pizza: $31
  • Hard Rock Cafe Lisbon with Set Lunch or Dinner: $32
  • Lisbon Pizza & Sangria Escape on a Cozy Boat Cruise: $35
  • Lisbon Sunset DJ Party Cruise with Pizza & Drinks: $41
  • Lisbon Night Party Cruise with DJ, Pizza & Drinks: $47
  • Lisbon Flavors and Traditions Small Group Food Tour: $55
  • Dinner with Rising Stars of Fado at Canto do Poeta: $65
  • Lisbon No-Uphill Food Tour with 17 Tastings, Wines and Sips: $66
  • Lisbon Portuguese Food Tour: $66
  • Old Lisbon No-Uphill Food Tour: 17 Tastings, Wines & Sips: $71
  • Pastel de Nata Cooking Class in Lisbon: $71

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lisbon 24
    Akureyri 16

Tours and Activities in Lisbon

For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Alfama and Mouraria Tour - The oldest neighbourhoods in Lisbon: $1.21
  • Lisbon Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $2.46
  • Self-Guided Tours in Lisbon with 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.52
  • Lisbon Walking Tour - Discover Belém and the Discoveries Age: $3.52
  • Historic Walking Tour Through Lisbon’s Oldest Neighborhood: $3.52
  • Alfama Tour in Lisbon Old Town: $3.52
  • Lisbon Walking Tour: $3.52
  • The Moorish Beyond the Tourist Trail Quarter Free Walking Tour: $3.52
  • Discover Complete Walking Tour with Belém & Sintra: $3.52
  • Lisbon Cultural Tour in a Small Group: $3.53
  • Lisbon Belém Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $4.22
  • Essential Lisbon Highlights Walking Tour: $4.70

Tours and Activities in Akureyri

Here are a few actual costs in Akureyri for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Akureyri Lake Myvatn Godafoss and Lava Fields Tour: $180
  • Akureyri Port: Dettifoss, Goðafoss and Lake Mývatn Tour: $293
  • Akureyri Port: Goðafoss and Akureyri Botanical Garden Tour: $170
  • Akureyri Port: Goðafoss and the Forest Lagoon Tour: $203
  • Akureyri Port: Godafoss Waterfall Classic Tour & Viewpoint: $81
  • Akureyri Port: Hot Godafoss Waterfall Tour & The Forest Lagoon: $156
  • Akureyri Port: Lake Mývatn & Goðafoss Guided Tour with Lunch: $328
  • Akureyri Port: Lake Mývatn and Godafoss Waterfall Tour: $182
  • Akureyri Port: Myvatn Nature Baths & Godafoss Waterfall Tour: $246
  • Akureyri Private Tour Godafoss Myvatn Grjotagja Hverir Viti: $256
  • Akureyri Private Walking Tour: $169
  • 3-Day Northern Lights, Whales, & Lagoon Tour: $533

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lisbon 18
    Akureyri 13

Sample the Local Flavors in Lisbon

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:

  • Private Pub Crawl in Lisbon: $24
  • Lisbon Rooftop Bar Crawl Private Group Experience: $24
  • Lisbon Pub Crawl: $24
  • Port Wine Tasting Apéritif/Digestif at Portuguese Wine Bar: $28
  • Lisbon Wild Pub Crawl: $29
  • Halloween Haunts: Lisbon Pub Crawl Experience: $29
  • Wine Tasting with the best view in Lisbon: $53
  • Carcavelos Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting: $53
  • Portuguese Wine Tasting and Food Pairing: $76
  • From Family Winery Tour, Historic Cellars & Wine Tasting: $76
  • Wine Tasting with Cheeses Charcutaria and Bread Table: $76
  • Lisbon Small-Group Portuguese Food and Wine Tour: $78


When comparing the travel costs between Lisbon and Akureyri, we can see that Lisbon 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 Lisbon Expensive? and Is Akureyri Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Akureyri?

Lisbon has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon and Akureyri, 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 Lisbon or Akureyri?

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 Lisbon or Akureyri in the Summer?

Both Akureyri and Lisbon during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Lisbon for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Lisbon is much warmer than Akureyri. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lisbon in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Akureyri averages at about 11°C (52°F).

It's quite sunny in Lisbon. In the summer, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Akureyri. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Akureyri receives 158 hours of full sun.

Lisbon usually gets less rain in July than Akureyri. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Lisbon 23°C (73°F) 
    Akureyri 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Lisbon or Akureyri in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Akureyri. Many visitors come to Lisbon in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Akureyri can be very cold during autumn. In October, Lisbon is generally much warmer than Akureyri. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 19°C (66°F), and Akureyri fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Akureyri during autumn. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Akureyri receives 52 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lisbon usually receives more rain than Akureyri. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Lisbon 19°C (66°F) 
    Akureyri 3°C (38°F)

Should I visit Lisbon or Akureyri in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Akureyri. Most visitors come to Lisbon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

The weather in Akureyri can be very cold. Lisbon is much warmer than Akureyri in the winter. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Akureyri fluctuates around -2°C (28°F).

In the winter, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Akureyri. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Akureyri receives 7 hours of full sun.

Lisbon receives a lot of rain in the winter. Lisbon usually gets more rain in January than Akureyri. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Lisbon 12°C (53°F) 
    Akureyri -2°C (28°F)

Should I visit Lisbon or Akureyri in the Spring?

Both Akureyri and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Lisbon because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

It's quite cold in Akureyri in the spring. In the spring, Lisbon is much warmer than Akureyri. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lisbon in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Akureyri averages at about 2°C (36°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Akureyri during spring. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Akureyri receives 130 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lisbon usually receives more rain than Akureyri. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Akureyri receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Lisbon 16°C (60°F) 
    Akureyri 2°C (36°F)

Typical Weather for Akureyri and Lisbon

Lisbon Akureyri
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) -2°C (28°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) -1°C (30°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) -1°C (31°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 2°C (36°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 6°C (43°F) 19 mm (0.8 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 10°C (50°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 11°C (52°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 11°C (51°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 7°C (44°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 3°C (38°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) -0°C (32°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) -2°C (29°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)