A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lisbon vs. Arles for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Lisbon or Arles?

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

Should I visit Lisbon or Arles? 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

Lisbon is a stunning, picturesque, and colorful city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping.

Arles

Arles is a charming, compact, and quaint town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Lisbon and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lisbon or Arles?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lisbon than Arles. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Lisbon is more touristy than Arles and is popular for its hilltop vistos, beautiful old town, and lively Fado music. It is also well known for Castelo de São Jorge. Arles is famous for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

How is Lisbon different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Lisbon or Arles?

You'll find a number of world-class museums and attractions in both Arles 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.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Arles that are not to be missed. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

Is the Food Better in Lisbon or Arles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Lisbon has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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. Given the beautiful climate, outdoor seating is also popular. Head into the less touristy neighborhoods to try some local dishes or hit up a seafood market. There are also many cafes that offer great breakfasts with fresh ingredients.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Arles. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

Is Lisbon or Arles Better for Nightlife?

Lisbon is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

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. Whether you want a more relaxed vibe or a raging party, there is likely an place for you.

If you're looking for night time activities Arles has a few options to choose from. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Lisbon or Arles Better for Music?

Lisbon is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Arles is not a live music destination.

In Lisbon you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. The local folk music, fado, is popular here, but there are also venues that host almost any other style of music as well. You'll also find several fado museums around town.

Arles is not a live music destination.

Is Lisbon or Arles Better for Beaches?

Lisbon is very good for the beach. However, Arles is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Lisbon to enjoy the beach. The beaches are often overlooked by visitors, but the coastline near the city is lined with beautiful sandy beaches that are arguably among the best in the area. If you want to get away from city life, head for the water.

Arles is not a beach destination.

Is Lisbon or Arles Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the world-class old towns in both Lisbon and Arles.

With a famous historical old-town, Lisbon offers plenty to see. The city is famous for the Alfama area, which is where you find the traditional buildings, cobblestoned streets, wandering alleyways, and steep hills. Make sure you take in the stunning view from various parts of town.

The rich history of Arles can be explored in its historical center. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

Is the Shopping Better in Lisbon or Arles?

Lisbon is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Lisbon is a world class destination for shoppers. For high end shopping, head to The Avenida da Liberdade. It's lined with designer brands and luxury boutiques.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Arles. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is Lisbon or Arles Better for Families?

Lisbon is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Lisbon is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Popular family-friendly activities include exploring Castelo Sao Jorge, visiting the aquarium, hanging out on the beach, and of course, taking the funiculars. Kids of all ages will appreciate the intricate maze of streets and lively atmosphere that this city offers. There's also the famous Livraria Lello & Irmão, which is a beautiful bookshop that is said to be an inspiration for Harry Potter. Don't expect to simply walk in, as there is often a long line to enter.

For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Lisbon or Arles Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Lisbon and Arles make for a great 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. There are many romantic viewpoints as well as world class restaurants that couples will enjoy.

Couples visit Arles frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Is Lisbon or Arles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lisbon is an unbeatable place for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Lisbon is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. 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. Prices are also reasonable for a large and vibrant city.

Arles is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and apartments in the area.

Is Lisbon or Arles Better for Students?

Lisbon is well known for students. However, Arles is not popular with students.

Lisbon is very popular with students. It's a lively city with a lot to see and do for international students.

Arles is not popular with students.

Is Lisbon or Arles Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Lisbon is an unbeatable place for its public transit. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

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.

While Arles offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Is Lisbon or Arles a more walkable city?

Lisbon is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Lisbon on foot is easy. There are many walkable areas that aren't too hilly like Baixa, a stretch along the Tagus River, and Belém.

Arles is very walkable. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Lisbon Worth Visiting? and Is Arles Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arles or Lisbon?

How long in Lisbon or Arles?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Lisbon or Arles to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Lisbon than Arles because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Lisbon, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arles.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lisbon than Arles 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 Lisbon.

One day in Lisbon or Arles?

Each neighborhood in Lisbon has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city 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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Arles. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Lisbon or Arles?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lisbon. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Arles is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, 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 Lisbon or Arles?

Lisbon is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Lisbon has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arles. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Lisbon or Arles?

Each neighborhood in Lisbon has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Arles. This town 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 The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Arles?

Lisbon has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon and Arles, 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 Arles?

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 Arles in the Summer?

Both Arles and Lisbon during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Arles for the family-friendly experiences.

Lisbon is around the same temperature as Arles in the summer. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Arles fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Arles, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lisbon. In the summer, Lisbon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Arles. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun.

Lisbon usually gets less rain in July than Arles. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lisbon or Arles in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Lisbon is a little warmer than Arles. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lisbon in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Arles averages at about 16°C (61°F).

In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Arles during autumn. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Arles receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Arles. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lisbon or Arles in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Arles. Many visitors come to Lisbon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Arles for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Lisbon is generally much warmer than Arles. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 12°C (53°F), and Arles fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Lisbon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Arles. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun.

Lisbon receives a lot of rain in the winter. Lisbon usually gets more rain in January than Arles. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lisbon or Arles in the Spring?

Both Arles and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Lisbon for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Arles because of the natural beauty.

Lisbon is a little warmer than Arles in the spring. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Arles fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Arles. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Arles during spring. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lisbon usually receives more rain than Arles. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Arles and Lisbon