Which city is cheaper, Barcelona or Lisbon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Lisbon or Barcelona? 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 colorful, vibrant, and stunning city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.
Barcelona is a historic, cultural, and friendly 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 museums, nightlife, and live music.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Barcelona 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 Barcelona 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 Barcelona that are not to be missed. Architecture and history all contribute to the city's impressive sights and museums. Famous landmarks include the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, Casa Milà, and the Palace of Catalan Music.
Dining out at restaurants in both Lisbon and Barcelona can be an enjoyable experience.
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.
Barcelona has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. With easy access to fresh produce, there are many food markets around town. You'll also find great fresh local dishes at the many restaurants. Make sure you try the paella, croquettes, and Jamon Iberico.
The nightlife scene is relatively similar in Lisbon and Barcelona.
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.
Barcelona is a world class party destination. The city offers an amazing nightlife at a much more affordable price than many places in Europe. There are beach parties, boat parties, and bars that stay packed late into the night. The city also hosts many street fiestas and music festivals.
It can be fun to see live music in either Lisbon and Barcelona.
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.
Barcelona is a world class music destination. Popular music venues include Tablao de Carmen, Razzmatazz, and Jamboree.
It's fun to wander around the old towns in both Lisbon and Barcelona.
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 Barcelona can be explored in its historical center. Dating back 2,000 years the Gothic Quarter remains a hub of life and activity. It's fun to explore the wandering streets or people watch in one of the plazas. There are also many fascinating boutique shops and restaurants.
Shoppers can find a variety of stores in both Lisbon and Barcelona.
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.
Barcelona is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Head to Portal De L’Angel, Rambla de Catalunya, or Passeig De Gracia for some of the city's best shopping districts.
Kids will enjoy a visit to either Lisbon or Barcelona.
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.
Barcelona is a very family-friendly place to visit. Check out the Magic Fountains Show near Plaça d’Espanya, wander through the aquarium, or sample some chocolate at the Chocolate Museum. There are also many great parks and playgrounds around town.
Lisbon and Barcelona 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.
Barcelona is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. There are many hostels around town, each with its own personality. Many of the hostels also organize activities or dinners for guests so it's easy to meet other travelers.
Both Lisbon and Barcelona are popular destinations for students.
Lisbon is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's a lively city with a lot to see and do for international students.
Students come from all over the world to visit Barcelona. This is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find international students from around the world. It's a beautiful city with plenty to see and do.
Visitors will find public transit in both Lisbon and Barcelona.
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.
Barcelona has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. There's a metro, bus, and tram system that navigates the city.
Lisbon and Barcelona 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.
Barcelona is very walkable. The city is more spread out than some other major European cities, but there are many plazas and outdoor areas that are fun to explore on foot. The city has designed "superilles," which are areas where car traffic has been directed around pedestrian-friendly plazas so visitors can explore, relax, or play.
Both Lisbon and Barcelona 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 Barcelona is 3-7 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 food and shopping when visiting the big city destination of Barcelona. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.
Barcelona is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. 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 Barcelona. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 nightlife and live music when visiting the friendly big city of Barcelona. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 €131, while the average daily cost in Barcelona is €156. 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 Barcelona in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Lisbon or Barcelona? 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.
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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:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Barcelona are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in 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.
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:
Some typical examples of dining costs in Barcelona are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Barcelona.
For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Barcelona are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Barcelona are as follows:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Barcelona:
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.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Barcelona. Many visitors come to Lisbon in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Barcelona for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Lisbon is around the same temperature as Barcelona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lisbon in July are around 23°C (73°F), and Barcelona is about 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Barcelona. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lisbon this time of the year. In the summer, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Barcelona. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 308 hours of full sun.
Lisbon usually gets less rain in July than Barcelona. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Barcelona and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Lisbon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Lisbon is generally around the same temperature as Barcelona. Temperatures in Lisbon average around 19°C (66°F), and Barcelona stays around 17°C (63°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Barcelona during autumn. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Barcelona. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Barcelona and Lisbon during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Lisbon because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Barcelona this time of year.
Lisbon is a little warmer than Barcelona in the winter. The temperature in Lisbon is usually 12°C (53°F) in January, and Barcelona stays around 9°C (48°F).
In the winter, Lisbon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Barcelona. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 146 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually gets more rain in January than Barcelona. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Barcelona. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Barcelona for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Lisbon is a little warmer than Barcelona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lisbon in April are around 16°C (60°F), and Barcelona is about 13°C (55°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Barcelona this time of the year. In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Barcelona during spring. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Lisbon usually receives more rain than Barcelona. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Lisbon | Barcelona | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
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