Should you visit Lisbon or Barcelona?
Should I visit Lisbon or Barcelona? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
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.
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain with a population of over 1.5 million people. It's also the capital of Catalonia and is located on the northeastern part of the Mediterranean coast. Barcelona is one of the country's most popular travel destinations because of its rich history, interesting architecture, and vibrant culture. Barcelona hosted the 1992 Summer Olympic games and that had a strong influence over tourism in the area. Many different neighborhoods were renovated and rebuilt. Modern design became the norm in many parts of the city, although there is still an old city feel and many efforts at preservation.
Which city is cheaper, Barcelona or Lisbon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Lisbon is €103, while the average daily cost in Barcelona is €122. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Lisbon and Barcelona in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about €92 in Lisbon For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
The average price for accommodation for two people in Barcelona is €148. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Food
In Lisbon travelers spend around €33 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
The price of a meal in Barcelona can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is €27 per person, and a typical meal will cost around €11 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
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Food
Meals for one day
Lisbon €33
Barcelona €27
Typical Food prices in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Wine & Dine Food Tour:
$22
-
History and Flavors Half-Day Food Tour:
$29
-
Virtual Portuguese Cooking Lesson:
$31
-
Live Online Cooking Class from Pastel de Nata with Filipa:
$39
-
Live Fado & Alfama Tour with Traditional Dinner:
$40
-
Bohemian dinner party on a beautiful rooftop near the coast:
$42
-
3-Hour Self-Guided Locals' Food Tour:
$48
-
The magic of Pasteis de Nata cooking class in Lisbon:
$53
-
Bitemojo Self Guided Food Tour New To Lisbon:
$54
-
2-Hour Pastel de Nata Cooking Class:
$55
-
Zero-Waste Cooking Workshop:
$56
-
Withlocals Your Way: Lisbon Personalised Private Food Tour:
$56
Typical Food prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Barcelona are as follows:
-
Hot Cocoa & Churro
€4.15
-
Sandwich
€1.70
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Baguette & Horchata
€3.80
-
Tapas on the beach
€8.28
-
Gelatto
€2.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Barcelona
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Barcelona.
-
Live from Barcelona to China: Potato Gnocchi Online Cooking Class:
$23
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Live from Potato Gnocchi Online Cooking Class:
$23
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Barcelona organic dinner in a beautiful rooftop garden:
$35
-
Interactive Spanish Cooking Experience in Barcelona:
$49
-
Hands-on Brunch Cooking Class with Bottomless Mimosas!:
$50
-
Born district food tour and tasting in Barcelona:
$51
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Barcelona Street Food Tour: Local Market & Gothic Quarter with Expert Guide:
$52
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Street Food Tour & Gothic Quater Sightseeing with Local Expert:
$52
-
Bus and Walking Tour with Dinner:
$58
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Tasty Barcelona Street Food Tour With Local Market Visit:
$59
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Skip the Line: Flamenco Show and Dinner Ticket:
$62
-
Traveling Spoon Seafood Paella and Sangria Private Online Cooking Class:
$66
Local Transportation
Lisbon's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend €19 per person, per day on transportation in Lisbon.
The cost of a taxi ride in Barcelona is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent €15 per person, per day, on local transportation in Barcelona.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Lisbon
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon
Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Lisbon Shared Transfer: To or From the Airport:
$11
-
Lisbon Private Transfer to Airport:
$11
-
Lisbon Airport Shared Departure Transfer:
$11
-
Lisbon Airport Shared Arrival Transfer:
$11
-
Lisbon Private Transfer: To or From the Airport:
$11
-
Private Transfer To or From Lisbon Airport:
$11
-
Shared Transfer Between Airport and City Hotels:
$11
-
Lisbon Shared Arrival Transfer from Airport, Train or Port:
$11
-
Lisbon Shared Departure Transfer to Airport, Train or Port:
$11
-
Lisbon Airport Arrival Shared Transfer:
$11
-
Lisbon Airport Shared Departure Transfer:
$11
-
Lisbon Airport: Shared Arrival and Departure Transfers:
$12
Typical Local Transportation prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Barcelona are as follows:
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10 Trip Metro Ticket
€7.80
-
Airport Bus
€5.00
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Metro
€2.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Barcelona
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Barcelona:
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Ultra - Barcelona Private Transfer from City Centre to Barcelona Cruise Port:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Barcelona Private Transfer from Barcelona Cruise Port to City Centre:
$9.41
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Ultra - Barcelona Private Airport Transfer city centre to El Prat Airport BCN:
$9.41
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Transfers From Cruise Port to Barcelona Main Train Station( Sants Train Station):
$30
-
Transfer to Montserrat Monastery from Barcelona:
$33
-
Transfer in private vehicle from Barcelona El Prat Airport to Barcelona City:
$39
-
Transfer in private vehicle from Barcelona City to Barcelona El Prat Airport:
$39
-
Transfer in private minivan from Barcelona City to Barcelona el Prat Airport:
$55
-
Transfer from Barcelona to Valencia or viceversa:
$498
-
Transfer from Barcelona to Port Aventura Park:
$435
-
Transfer from Barcelona Airport to Barcelona CITY - ROUND TRIP:
$124
-
Transfer from Barcelona (any hotel or address) to Barcelona Airport (BCN):
$61
Is it cheaper to fly into Lisbon or Barcelona?
Prices for flights to both Barcelona 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Lisbon can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around €19 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Entertainment and activities in Barcelona typically cost an average of €27 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Lisbon Downtown Tour - The Perfect Introduction to the City:
$1.24
-
Rua Augusta Arch Admission Ticket:
$3.03
-
Lisbon Historical Walking Tour:
$3.11
-
Rua Augusta Arch Admission Ticket:
$3.41
-
Contemporary Park of Nations Walking Audio Tour by VoiceMap:
$5.48
-
The Soul of Alfama Self-guided Audio Tour by VoiceMap Lisbon:
$5.99
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Museu Coleção Berardo Admission Ticket:
$6.22
-
Street Art Virtual Tour in Lisbon:
$6.22
-
Skip the Line: Pilar 7 Bridge Experience Admission Ticket:
$6.22
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Lisboa Story Centre: 1-Day Admission Ticket:
$7.96
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Lisboa Story Centre Admission Ticket:
$8.09
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Lisboa Story Centre: 1-Day Admission Ticket:
$8.48
Typical Entertainment prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Barcelona are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Barcelona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Barcelona are as follows:
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#1dayBarcelona. 6-Hour Action Packed Private City Discovery Tour:
$549
-
"Gaudi’s Pedrera: The Origins" Night Show and Ticket:
$41
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'Game Of Thrones' Small Group Tour in Girona from Barcelona:
$125
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1 hour private sailing tour:
$158
-
1,5 hour Vermut & Sailing Experience Barcelona with drinks and snacks!:
$41
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1-hour Private Speedboat Cruise from Barcelona:
$372
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1.5-Hour Sights of Barcelona E-Bike Tour Led by a Local Guide:
$34
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2 Hours Private Sailing Tour for Family and Friends:
$316
-
2 Hours Running Tour in Barcelona with Local Guide:
$35
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2 hour Private Sunset Sailing Cruise Barcelona:
$372
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2 hour Sailing Cruise Barcelona:
$47
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2 hour Sunset Sailing Cruise Barcelona:
$47
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Lisbon spend on average €14 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
The average person spends about €14 on alcoholic beverages in Barcelona per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Lisbon
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:
-
Lisbon Pub Crawl:
$17
-
Lisbon Pub Crawl with Free Drinks:
$18
-
Lisbon Pub Crawl:
$18
-
Lisbon 4-Hour Pub Crawl:
$18
-
Alternative Pub Crawl with a Local Guide:
$28
-
3-Hour Portuguese History & Flavors Food & Wine Tour:
$30
-
Portuguese Wine Tasting and Cheese Lunch:
$44
-
From Half-Day Wine Tasting Tour:
$50
-
Christ the King and Arrábida Small-Group Tour with Wine Tasting from Lisbon:
$58
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From Private Wine Tour with Setúbal & Arrábida:
$61
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Sintra: Full-Day Tour from Lisbon with Wine Tasting:
$64
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Private Full-Day Arrábida Park and Wine Tour:
$67
Sample the Local Flavors in Barcelona
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Barcelona:
-
Columbus Monument with Optional Wine Tasting:
$7.16
-
Estrella Damm Brewery Guided Tour with Tasting:
$9.54
-
Backpacker Pub Crawl:
$18
-
The Original Barcelona Pub Crawl:
$18
-
Barcelona Halloween Pub Crawl:
$18
-
Generation Pub Crawl in Barcelona:
$19
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Barcelona Pub Crawl:
$20
-
Barcelona Wine Tasting: Catalan and Spanish Wines:
$21
-
Wine Tasting Experience in Barcelona:
$22
-
Opera Samfaina: Food and Wine Tasting Interactive Experience in Barcelona:
$26
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Wine tasting & tapas:
$39
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Barcelona Guided Local Wine Tasting Tour:
$44
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lisbon and Barcelona, we can see that Barcelona 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 Barcelona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Barcelona than you might in Lisbon.
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