A Travel Price Comparison for Portugal Lisbon vs. Braga for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Lisbon or Braga?

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

Should I visit Lisbon or Braga? 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.

Where Should I go: Lisbon or Braga?

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.

Braga

Located in the Cavado Valley of Northern Portugal, Braga is a medium sized city with both historical and modern characteristics. There is a university in town, known as Universidade do Minho, which gives the city a young feel with a lot of life. There are also many bars, clubs, and activities around to keep you entertained.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Braga or Lisbon?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Lisbon is €162, while the average daily cost in Braga is €142. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Lisbon and Braga in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lisbon 58
    Braga 54
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lisbon 116
    Braga 108
Compare Hotels in Lisbon and Braga

Looking for a hotel in Lisbon or Braga? 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.

Hotels in Lisbon


Hotels in Braga


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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Lisbon Hotel Prices and Braga Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lisbon 24
    Braga 20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lisbon

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:


  • Taxi Ride
    6.50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon

Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Lisbon Airport Shared Departure Transfer: $12
  • Lisbon Airport Private Transfer to Lisbon: $13
  • Lisbon Private Airport Departure Transfer: $15
  • Lisbon Cruise Port: Private Transfer to hotels or airport: $15
  • Airport Private Transfer to/from Lisbon city hotels: $15
  • Private Transfer: Lisbon Airport to or from Lisbon Center: $16
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotels to Lisbon Airport or Cruise : $16
  • Exclusive Luxury Transfers to/from Lisbon Airport: $17
  • Lisbon Airport Transfer: $17
  • Private Lisbon Airport Transfers: Your Journey, Your Way: $18
  • Transfer from Lisbon Airport to Sintra - SHUTTLE: $20
  • Transfer from Lisbon City Center to Lisbon Airport (LIS): $21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Braga

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Braga:

  • Transfers From / To Braga: $171
  • Private Sedan Transfer from Braga or Guimaraes City to Porto City: $64
  • Private Car Transfer from Braga to Lisbon with 2 hours for sightseeing: $297
  • Braga Private Transfer to Porto: $58
  • Airport Transfer Porto> Viana do Castelo: $101

Is it cheaper to fly into Lisbon or Braga?

Prices for flights to both Braga 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Lisbon 73
    Braga 70
Typical Food Prices in Lisbon

For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Coffee
    2.50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisbon

For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Alfama Tour and Live Fado with Traditional Dinner: $56
  • Fado Show and Portuguese Dinner: $56
  • Fado Night with Dinner with Live Performance: $57
  • Portuguese street food cooking class with Drinks: $57
  • Legendary Beer Dinner: $57
  • 2-Hour Pastel de Nata Cooking Class: $57
  • Lisbon Fado Experience: Walking Tour, Dinner and Live Music Show: $57
  • Portuguese street food cooking class with Drinks: $58
  • Erotic Cabaret Show and Dinner: $63
  • No Diet Club - Unique food tour in Lisbon with many Tastings: $71
  • Fado Night with Dinner in a Traditional Fado House: $71
  • Original Morning Food Tour: $74

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Braga

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Braga.

  • The Lingerie Restaurant Cabaret Show with Dinner: $51
  • Italian Cooking Class with a French expat: $68
  • Braga Small-Group Food Tour: 3-Hour With a Local Guide: $85
  • Braga Small-Group Food Tour: 3-Hour With a Local Guide: $92

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lisbon 24
    Braga 16

Tours and Activities in Lisbon

For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Unravel Lisbon an Outdoor Charms Self Guided Tour: $1.10
  • Lisbon Walking Tour - The Perfect Introduction to the City: $1.20
  • Alfama Walking Tour Lisbon: $3.47
  • Lisbon Walking Tour - Discover Belém and the Discoveries Age: $3.47
  • Alfama Tour in Lisbon Old Town: $3.47
  • Lisbon City Center Tour - The Unmissable Lisbon: $3.47
  • The Moorish Beyond the Tourist Trail Quarter Free Walking Tour: $3.47
  • Age of Discoveries Walking Tour in Belém: $3.47
  • Bairro Alto + Downtown Walking Tour: $3.47
  • Historical Walking Tour of Lisbon: $3.49
  • Lisbon Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $3.49
  • Essential Lisbon Highlights Walking Tour: $4.65

Tours and Activities in Braga

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Braga are as follows:

  • KAYAK TOUR I Going down the Lima River in Kayak | AV: $58
  • 1h Quad Tour • Arcos de Valdevez • Peneda Gerês: $80
  • 2h Buggy Tour • Arcos de Valdevez • Peneda Gerês: $141
  • 4X4 Tour – Minho Litoral - Beaches and Mountains between Viana do Castelo and Caminha: $87
  • 4X4 Tour - Discovering Serra d´ Arga: $186
  • Arcos de Valdevez - National Park Peneda-Gerês & Lagoons Tour: $139
  • Arcos de Valdevez Tour 1 Day: $256
  • Barcelos, Braga & Guimarães Tour: $116
  • Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $47
  • Braga & Guimarães: Premium Day Tour: $341
  • Braga Experience: Guided tour and Tastings: $67
  • Braga Private Walking Tour: $270

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lisbon 18
    Braga 21

Sample the Local Flavors in Lisbon

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:

  • 1-Hour Portuguese Wine Tasting Session: $22
  • Pub Crawl with Open Bar and VIP Club Entry: $23
  • Pub Crawl with Open Bar, Shots, & VIP Club Entry: $23
  • Lisbon Pub Crawl: Unlimited Drinks, Shots & V.I.P Club Entry: $23
  • Lisbon Wild Pub Crawl : $23
  • Pub Crawl Lisbon - 1 Hour of Unlimited Beer and Sangria and more!: $23
  • Portuguese Wine Tasting: $24
  • Guided Port Wine Tasting Apéritif/Digestif: $27
  • Port Wine Tasting Apéritif/Digestif at Portuguese Wine Bar: $28
  • Brewery Experience with 5 Craft Beer Tastings: $28
  • Beer Tasting in a Classic Brewery: $28
  • Lisbon Wine Tasting: $28

Sample the Local Flavors in Braga

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Braga:

  • Customized Wine Tasting: Your Choices: $29
  • Guided Tour + Exclusive 5 wine Tasting: $41
  • Wine Tasting & Lunch | Quinta de Santa Cristina Vinho Verde: $60
  • Valdevez Arcs and Lima Bridge Tour with Green Wine Tasting: $127
  • Private Culture and Wine Tourism Tour: $238
  • Upper Douro Valley Wine Tour: $254


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


Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Braga?

Lisbon has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Braga. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon and Braga, 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 Braga?

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 Braga in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Braga. The summer months attract visitors to Lisbon because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Lisbon is a little warmer than Braga in the summer. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Braga fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Braga. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lisbon this time of the year. In the summer, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Braga. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Braga receives 308 hours of full sun.

Lisbon usually gets less rain in July than Braga. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Braga receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Lisbon 23°C (73°F) 
    Braga 21°C (69°F)

Should I visit Lisbon or Braga in the Autumn?

Both Braga and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year.

In the autumn, Lisbon is a little warmer than Braga. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lisbon in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Braga averages at about 17°C (62°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Braga during autumn. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Braga receives 184 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Braga. In October, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Braga. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Braga receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Lisbon 19°C (66°F) 
    Braga 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Lisbon or Braga in the Winter?

Both Braga and Lisbon during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Lisbon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Lisbon is generally a little warmer than Braga. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 12°C (53°F), and Braga fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the winter, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Braga. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Braga receives 124 hours of full sun.

Braga gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually gets less rain in January than Braga. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Braga receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Lisbon 12°C (53°F) 
    Braga 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Lisbon or Braga in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Braga. Many visitors come to Lisbon in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Lisbon is a little warmer than Braga in the spring. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Braga fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Braga this time of the year. In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Braga during spring. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Braga receives 217 hours of full sun in the spring.

Braga receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Braga. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Braga receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Lisbon 16°C (60°F) 
    Braga 14°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Braga and Lisbon

Lisbon Braga
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 10°C (50°F) 171 mm (6.7 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 11°C (51°F) 169 mm (6.7 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 12°C (54°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 14°C (56°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 16°C (60°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 19°C (66°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 21°C (69°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 20°C (69°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 20°C (67°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 17°C (62°F) 131 mm (5.2 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 13°C (55°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 11°C (51°F) 176 mm (6.9 in)