Which place is cheaper, Braga or Lisbon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLisbon €131Braga €112
The average daily cost (per person) in Lisbon is €131, while the average daily cost in Braga is €112. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLisbon €58Braga €54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLisbon €116Braga €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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lisbon €24Braga €20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lisbon
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:
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Taxi Ride€6.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon
Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Arrival Transfer: From Lisbon Airport to Hotels: $11
- Lisbon Airport Shared Departure Transfer: $11
- Lisbon Airport Private Transfer to Lisbon: $12
- Private Departure Transfer: From hotels to Lisbon Airport: $14
- Lisbon Airport or Cruise Port: Private Arrival Transfer to hotels: $14
- Airport Shuttle Transfer to/from Lisbon Center: $14
- Lisbon Private Airport Departure Transfer: $14
- Airport Private Transfer to/from Lisbon city hotels: $14
- Exclusive Luxury Transfers to/from Lisbon Airport: $16
- Transfers - Aeroporto de Lisboa (Chegadas/Partidas): $16
- Private Lisbon Airport Transfers: Your Journey, Your Way: $17
- Lisbon Cruise Port Private Transfer to/from Lisbon Airport: $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Braga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Braga:
- Traditional Vinho Verde Tour in Bowl with Private Transfer (Porto and Braga): $130
- Private Car Transfer from Braga to Lisbon with 2 hours for sightseeing: $278
- Braga Private Transfer:To/From the Oporto Airport: $101
- Airport Transfer Porto> Viana do Castelo: $94
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
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Food Meals for one dayLisbon €42Braga €40
Typical Food Prices in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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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:
- Soirée Rivage - Sunset cruise with dinner and Party: $25
- Hard Rock Cafe Lisbon with Set Lunch or Dinner : $28
- Tapas Food Tour: $37
- Fado Show and Portuguese Dinner: $48
- Lisbon Food Tour: $53
- Alfama Tour and Live Fado with Traditional Dinner: $53
- 2-Hour Pastel de Nata Cooking Class: $53
- Legendary Beer Dinner: $53
- Pastel de Nata Cooking Class in Lisbon: $54
- No Diet Club - Unique food tour in Lisbon with many Tastings: $62
- Original Morning Food Tour: $63
- Lisbon Tipsy Food Tour with Drinks and Food inlcuded: $69
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Braga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Braga.
- Small-Group Braga Food Tour With A Local Guide: $84
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lisbon €24Braga €16
Tours and Activities in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- See Lisbon Through the Eyes of a Local - Free Walking Tour: $1.07
- Belém Unveiled: A Free Tour Through the Age of Discoveries: $1.28
- Bairro Alto + Downtown Walking Tour: $3.25
- Alfama Tour in Lisbon Old Town: $3.25
- Alfama Walking Tour Lisbon: $3.25
- 2-Hour Walking Tour in the Marvels of Lisbon : $4.79
- Tower of Saint George’s Castle Church Ticket & Drink: $5.33
- Lisbon Highlights Self Guided Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $5.33
- Lisbon Cathedral Entry Ticket: $5.33
- Lisbon Walking Tour: $5.33
- Príncipe Real to Downtown A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Lisbon Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.53
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: $65
- 2h Buggy Tour | Arcos de Valdevez | Peneda Gerês: $130
- 4X4 Tour – Minho Litoral - Beaches and Mountains between Viana do Castelo and Caminha: $81
- 4X4 Tour – Mountain - Viana do Castelo - Serra Sta. Lucia, Serra D'Arga: $81
- 4X4 Tour - Discovering Serra d´ Arga: $174
- Alto Douro Walk & WineTour: $196
- TOUR HD BRAGA MERCEDES V EXT LONG: $224
- Barcelos, Braga & Guimarães Tour: $109
- Braga & Guimarães: Premium Day Tour: $320
- Braga Private Walking Tour: $253
- Braga Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $215
- Braga Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tourer Hunt: $7.86
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLisbon €18Braga €21
Sample the Local Flavors in Lisbon
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:
- Pub Crawl with Unlimited Drinks and VIP Club Entry: $18
- 1-Hour Portuguese Wine Tasting Session: $20
- Pub Crawl with Open Bar and VIP Club Entry: $21
- Pub Crawl with Open Bar, Shots, & VIP Club Entry: $21
- Lisbon Wild Pub Crawl : $22
- Private Bar Crawl in Lisbon: $22
- Beer Tasting in a Classic Brewery: $27
- Pub Crawl Lisbon: $27
- Wine Tasting at Quinta das Murgas: $38
- Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $42
- Bar Crawl with Local Guide & Drinks: $42
- Portuguese Wine Tasting and Cheese Lunch: $52
Sample the Local Flavors in Braga
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Braga:
- Wine Tasting & Lunch | Quinta de Santa Cristina Vinho Verde: $50
- Green Wine Region-Small Group Tour with Lunch and Wine Tastings, from Porto city: $141
- Douro Valley - Régua-Pinhão - with wine tasting: $147
- Douro Valley Private Tour from Lunch & Wine Tour: $287
- Vinho Verde Private Wine Tour: $533
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lisbon and Braga, we can see that Lisbon is more expensive. And not only is Braga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Braga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Braga 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 Lisbon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lisbon than you might in Braga.
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.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLisbon 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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLisbon 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.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLisbon 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.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLisbon 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) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.