Which city is cheaper, Amsterdam or Lisbon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Lisbon or Amsterdam? 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.
Lisbon is a stunning, picturesque, and colorful city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and live music.
Amsterdam is a scenic, historic, and canal-lined city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the live music, shopping, and museums.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Amsterdam and Lisbon. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
You'll find a number of museums and attractions in both Amsterdam and Lisbon.
With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Lisbon has many famous sights for visitors. World renowned landmarks include St. George's Castle, Jerónimos monastery, the Belém Tower, Santa Justa Lift, and countless world class museums.
Many visitors head to Amsterdam specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city has a number of sights and museums including the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Royal Palace.
For a nice culinary experience, head to Lisbon, which is well known for it's local dishes and restaurants.
For foodies, Lisbon is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. There are many local restaurants as well as food tours and cooking classes that you can enjoy. Make sure you try the local favorites like bacalhau à brás, frango no churrasco, and pastel de nata.
Amsterdam offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Food is expensive in this city, particularly in the touristy areas. There are some markets that sell great local items and the dessert cafes are awesome!
The nightlife scene is relatively similar in Lisbon and Amsterdam.
The nightlife in Lisbon is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. It is a bustling city with a lot of energy late into the night. There are countless bars, clubs, and music venues that cater to every personality type and style.
Amsterdam is a world class party destination. The city has some of the best nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of bars, dance clubs, and other activities that you can enjoy throughout the night.
It can be fun to see live music in either Lisbon and Amsterdam.
Lisbon has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The local folk music, fado, is popular here, but there are also venues that host almost any other style of music as well.
Amsterdam is a world class music destination. The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.
Shoppers can find a variety of stores in both Lisbon and Amsterdam.
Many people travel to Lisbon specifically to go shopping. For high end shopping, head to The Avenida da Liberdade. It's lined with designer brands and luxury boutiques.
Amsterdam is an extremely popular place for shoppers. For the best shopping in town, head to the Nine Streets area in the historic district and the two main shopping streets of The Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat.
There's generally more to do with your family in Lisbon than Amsterdam.
You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Lisbon. Popular family-friendly activities include exploring Castelo Sao Jorge, visiting the aquarium, hanging out on the beach, and of course, taking the funiculars.
Amsterdam doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. The city does it's share of partying, and there are some areas, like the red light district, that aren't exactly kid-friendly, but there are some nice parks, playgrounds, and the impressive NEMO Science Museum that you can explore.
With fun activities for couples, both Lisbon and Amsterdam make for a good place to visit.
Lisbon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With it's colorful buildings and dramatic hills, this city offers a truly romantic setting for couples.
Couples visit Amsterdam frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. For many, a visit to this city is all about the party, but for couples who enjoy history, architecture, or boat rides along the scenic canals, the city also makes a great getaway. It's also fun to stay in a houseboat and have a unique experience.
Lisbon and Amsterdam are both good destinations for backpackers.
A large number of backpackers visit Lisbon, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. Hostels are abundant, and you'll have no trouble finding other backpackers to hang out with. Many hostels even organize activities and group meals for travelers.
Amsterdam is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. With it's party-hard personality and countless low price hostels, this city attracts its share of backpackers. Do note that many of the hostels aren't focused on quality, so make sure you understand what you're paying for. It may be worth booking a slightly more expensive room in a hotel.
Visitors will find public transit in both Lisbon and Amsterdam.
Visitors in Lisbon can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The metro has four lines that go around the city. There are also trams, buses, and the funiculars.
Amsterdam has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The city has metros, trams, buses, and ferries that help you get around. Since this is the Netherlands, getting around by bike is very popular.
Lisbon and Amsterdam are similar when it comes to walkability.
It's very easy to get around on foot in Lisbon. There are many walkable areas that aren't too hilly like Baixa, a stretch along the Tagus River, and Belém.
Getting around Amsterdam on foot is easy. The historic parts of the city are very walkable and much of the city is best explored on foot.
Both Lisbon and Amsterdam have a number of activities to choose from. You can spend a similar amount of time exploring either.
The ideal length of time for a trip to Lisbon is 3-7 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Amsterdam is 2-7 days.
People visit Lisbon because there is so much to do. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the big city destination of Amsterdam. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
People visit Lisbon because there is so much to do. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
Amsterdam is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
People visit Lisbon because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Amsterdam. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Lisbon is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Lisbon, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the laid-back big city of Amsterdam. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Lisbon is €105, while the average daily cost in Amsterdam is €138. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Lisbon and Amsterdam in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Lisbon or Amsterdam? 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.
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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:
Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amsterdam:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amsterdam:
Prices for flights to both Amsterdam 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.
For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Amsterdam:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Amsterdam.
For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Here are a few typical costs in Amsterdam for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Amsterdam for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:
Also in Amsterdam, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lisbon and Amsterdam, we can see that Amsterdam is more expensive. And not only is Lisbon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lisbon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lisbon 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 Amsterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amsterdam than you might in Lisbon.
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.
Both Amsterdam and Lisbon during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Lisbon for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Amsterdam in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Lisbon is generally a little warmer than Amsterdam. Temperatures in Lisbon average around 23°C (73°F), and Amsterdam stays around 17°C (62°F).
In Amsterdam, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lisbon. In the summer, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Amsterdam. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 204 hours of full sun.
Lisbon usually gets less rain in July than Amsterdam. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Amsterdam. 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. Also, most visitors come to Amsterdam for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Lisbon is much warmer than Amsterdam in the autumn. The temperature in Lisbon is usually 19°C (66°F) in October, and Amsterdam stays around 11°C (51°F).
In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Amsterdam during autumn. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Amsterdam receives 99 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Lisbon usually receives more rain than Amsterdam. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Amsterdam. Most visitors come to Lisbon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Amsterdam can be very cold. In the winter, Lisbon is much warmer than Amsterdam. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lisbon in January are around 12°C (53°F), and Amsterdam is about 2°C (36°F).
In the winter, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Amsterdam. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 46 hours of full sun.
Lisbon receives a lot of rain in the winter. Lisbon usually gets more rain in January than Amsterdam. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Amsterdam and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Lisbon 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 Amsterdam this time of year.
In April, Lisbon is generally much warmer than Amsterdam. Temperatures in Lisbon average around 16°C (60°F), and Amsterdam stays around 8°C (46°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Amsterdam during spring. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Amsterdam receives 166 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Lisbon usually receives more rain than Amsterdam. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Lisbon | Amsterdam | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
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