A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lisbon vs. Berlin for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Music

Should you visit Lisbon or Berlin?

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

Should I visit Lisbon or Berlin? 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 picturesque, colorful, and vibrant city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the live music, food, and beaches.

Berlin

Berlin is a historic, cultural, and artsy city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Lisbon and Berlin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lisbon or Berlin?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Lisbon than Berlin. While Berlin is larger than Lisbon, Lisbon has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Lisbon is popular for its hilltop vistos, beautiful old town, and lively Fado music. It is also home to Castelo de São Jorge. Berlin is popular for its art scene, cultural activities, and war torn history.

How is Lisbon different from Berlin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Berlin 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 Berlin?

You'll find a number of fantastic museums and attractions in both Berlin 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 Berlin that are not to be missed. Famous landmarks include the rebuilt Reichstag, the Berlin Wall Memorial, and Berliner Fernsehturm. Many of the city's oldest and most famous museums are found on Museum Island, where you'll find the Pergamon Museum, the James Simon Gallery, the Altes Museum, and the Neues Museum, among others.

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

Lisbon is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Berlin is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Lisbon is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

Dining out in Berlin is an experience not to be missed. There's a great international food scene, but also all of the traditional favorites like currywurst, spätzle, and schnitzel. You'll find many diverse food halls, street markets, and local restaurants, as well as a large selection of traditional German restaurants that cater to the tourists.

Is Lisbon or Berlin Better for Nightlife?

The fantastic nightlife scene is relatively similar in Lisbon and Berlin.

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.

Berlin is a world class party destination. The nightlife scene here is legendary. There are club nights that last for days, bars and parties that appeal to every personality, and a diversity of venues that you can choose from. You'll find the classic techno warehouses, but there are also modern dance clubs, bunker parties, and raves.

Is Lisbon or Berlin Better for Music?

It can be fun to see live music in either Lisbon and Berlin.

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. You'll also find several fado museums around town.

Berlin is a world class music destination. From the raves to the techno parties, there is a hugely diverse music scene in the city. It is so much more than the stereotypical punk and techno music that Berlin is known for. Rock, pop, and other genres are popular as well.

Is Lisbon or Berlin Better for Beaches?

Lisbon is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Berlin is not a beach destination.

Lisbon has a beach worth visiting. 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.

Berlin is not a beach destination.

Is Lisbon or Berlin Better for its Old Town?

Lisbon is an unbeatable place for its old town. However, Berlin does not have a historic old town.

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.

Berlin does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Lisbon or Berlin?

Shoppers can find a variety of fantastic stores in both Lisbon and Berlin.

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.

Berlin is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Bookshops, flea markets, luxury boutiques and artisan shops all make up the shopping scene in the city. Kurfürstendamm is one of the most famous shopping districts in the city.

Is Lisbon or Berlin Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Lisbon or Berlin.

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. 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.

Berlin is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of great kid-friendly museums such as the Museum of Natural History and the Computer Games Museum. There's also Legoland, an impressive aquarium, and lots of parks and playgrounds to explore.

Is Lisbon or Berlin Better for Couples?

Lisbon is a great city for its romantic activities. Also, Berlin is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

Lisbon is a great city if you're traveling as 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.

Berlin is a good city for couples to visit. Romantic activities in the city include wandering through Schloss Charlottenburg gardens and learning to dance at Clärchen’s Ballhaus. For couples who enjoy a night out on the town, there are many great restaurants and nightclubs that you can check out.

Is Lisbon or Berlin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lisbon and Berlin are both fantastic 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. Prices are also reasonable for a large and vibrant city.

Berlin is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. The city has no shortage of hostels to choose from, many of which organize activities and tours that guests can enjoy.

Is Lisbon or Berlin Better for Students?

Berlin is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Lisbon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Many students frequent Berlin. With it's rich culture and eclectic creative side, this city appeals to many international students. There's also a great social scene that is perfect for university students.

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

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

Visitors will find fantastic public transit in both Lisbon and Berlin.

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.

Berlin has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The transportation system is diverse and includes the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, buses, and trams.

Is Lisbon or Berlin a more walkable city?

Lisbon is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. Also, Berlin is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

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

Berlin is a somewhat walkable city. While parts of the city are very walkable, the neighborhoods are spread out and the city covers a large amount of space, so walking isn't always practical.

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

Should I spend more time in Berlin or Lisbon?

How long in Lisbon or Berlin?

Both Lisbon and Berlin have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Lisbon has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Lisbon than Berlin. In general, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Lisbon, and 2-7 days is enough time in Berlin.

Families should spend more time in Lisbon than Berlin. 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 Berlin. 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 Berlin 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 Berlin?

Lisbon is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the big city destination of Berlin. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Lisbon or Berlin?

Lisbon 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.

Berlin 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.

Five days in Lisbon or Berlin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lisbon. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Berlin. 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.

A week in Lisbon or Berlin?

Lisbon is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the creative big city of Berlin. 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.

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 Adventure Tours to Germany, and The Best Cultural Tours in Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Berlin?

Berlin has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Lisbon. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon and Berlin, 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 Berlin?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Lisbon or Berlin in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Berlin. Many travelers come to Lisbon for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Berlin in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Lisbon is generally a little warmer than Berlin. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 23°C (73°F), and Berlin fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Berlin this time of the year. In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Berlin during summer. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Berlin receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Berlin. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Lisbon or Berlin in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Berlin. 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. Additionally, most visitors come to Berlin for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

Lisbon is much warmer than Berlin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Berlin fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lisbon this time of the year. In the autumn, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Berlin. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Berlin receives 106 hours of full sun.

Lisbon usually gets more rain in October than Berlin. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lisbon or Berlin in the Winter?

Both Berlin and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Lisbon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Berlin because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Berlin can be very cold. In the winter, Lisbon is much warmer than Berlin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lisbon in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Berlin averages at about -0°C (31°F).

Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Berlin during winter. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Berlin receives 42 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Lisbon. In January, Lisbon usually receives more rain than Berlin. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lisbon or Berlin in the Spring?

Both Berlin and Lisbon during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Lisbon because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Berlin this time of year.

In April, Lisbon is generally much warmer than Berlin. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 16°C (60°F), and Berlin fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

It's quite sunny in Lisbon. In the spring, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Berlin. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Berlin receives 160 hours of full sun.

Lisbon usually gets more rain in April than Berlin. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Berlin receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Berlin and Lisbon