A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lisbon vs. Cannes for Food, Nightlife, Music, and Old Town

Should you visit Lisbon or Cannes?

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

Should I visit Lisbon or Cannes? 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 colorful, vibrant, and stunning city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping.

Cannes

Cannes is a lavish, glitzy, and opulent resort city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and live music.

Lisbon and Cannes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lisbon or Cannes?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lisbon than Cannes. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Lisbon is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Cannes attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Cannes is more touristy than Lisbon and is popular for its popularity with celebrities and its role as host for the international film festival. Lisbon is famous for its hilltop vistos, beautiful old town, and lively Fado music. It is also well known for Castelo de São Jorge.

How is Lisbon different from Cannes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lisbon is an amazing city to visit for its sights and museums. However, Cannes does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Lisbon on the map. World renowned landmarks include St. George's Castle, Jerónimos monastery, the Belém Tower, Santa Justa Lift, and countless world class museums.

Cannes does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Lisbon and Cannes 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. 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.

Cannes has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city is known for its fresh seafood and produce, local markets, and innovative chefs. There are also a number of traditional dishes that you should try in town including bouillabaisse, daube, and farcis niçois.

Is Lisbon or Cannes Better for Nightlife?

Lisbon is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Cannes is not as famous, but is still a good resort city to visit for nightlife.

Lisbon has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Cannes has a large number of nightlife venues. The nightlife scene is all about the glamour and prestige that this city is known for. There are exclusive nightclubs and luxury cocktail bars where the goal is to see and be seen. Parties last late into the night and the glitz and glamour fill the streets.

Is Lisbon or Cannes Better for Music?

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

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.

Cannes is a world class music destination. The city is famous for its music festivals, but there are also many bands, DJs, and performers who visit year round.

Is Lisbon or Cannes Better for Resorts?

Cannes is an unbeatable place for its luxury resorts. However, Lisbon is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Cannes is a great choice. The city is filled with luxury resorts and elegant hotels. Among the best are Hôtel Martinez, Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic, and Five Seas Hotel.

Lisbon is not a resort destination.

Is Lisbon or Cannes Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cannes is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Lisbon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Cannes has a few good snorkeling spots. You can arrange scuba diving and snorkeling trips from a few vendors in town. You might see sponges, sea slugs octopus, cuttlefish, lobsters and even stingrays.

Lisbon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Lisbon or Cannes Better for Beaches?

Cannes is a very popular place for the beach. Also, Lisbon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

Cannes is considered a top beach destination. You can choose from both public and private beaches in the area. You'll find more amenities and convenience at the private beaches which are closer to La Croisette (the main promenade in town). These beaches also come with a price tag attached. The public beaches have a more relaxed and natural vibe but are a little less convenient to get to.

Many people head to Lisbon to enjoy the beach. 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.

Is Lisbon or Cannes Better for its Old Town?

Lisbon is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. Also, Cannes is not as famous, but is still a good resort city to visit for its historic old town.

Lisbon offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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.

Many visitors go to Cannes to see the historical old town. Known as Le Suquet, the old town has many historic landmarks including the the Château de la Castre. There are also cobblestone streets and many great restaurants around town.

Is the Shopping Better in Lisbon or Cannes?

Shoppers can find a variety of world-class stores in both Lisbon and Cannes.

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.

Cannes is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. With its many affluent visitors, the shopping scene in town is filled with luxury brands and posh boutiques. Perfume and porcelain are both popular things to buy in the area.

Is Lisbon or Cannes Better for Families?

Lisbon is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Cannes is not as famous, but is still a good resort city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Lisbon is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Cannes is a family-friendly city. Most people associate the city with the film festival and late night partying, but there are also kid-friendly restaurants, fun beach activities, and plenty of kid-friendly entertainment along La Croisette Boulevard. Make sure you check out the Grand Carousel and the many playgrounds around town.

Is Lisbon or Cannes Better for Couples?

Cannes is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Lisbon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Cannes makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's grand hotels and luxury beach clubs make this a perfect romantic destination. There are world class restaurants, a vibrant nightlife scene, and many romantic spots around town that make for a memorable honeymoon or couple's getaway.

Couples visit Lisbon frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Is Lisbon or Cannes Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lisbon is an amazing city to visit for backpackers. However, Cannes is not a good resort city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Lisbon is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Cannes is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's more famous for it's celebrity jetsetters than young budget travelers, but there are still several hostels and budget accommodation options tucked away in town.

Is Lisbon or Cannes Better for Students?

Lisbon is a well-known place for students. However, Cannes is not popular with students.

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

Cannes is not popular with students.

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

Lisbon is an amazing city to visit for its public transit. Also, Cannes is not as famous, but is still a good resort city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Lisbon is top-notch. The metro has four lines that go around the city. There are also trams, buses, and the funiculars.

Cannes has some public transit options. There are buses that travel around the city.

Is Lisbon or Cannes a more walkable city?

Lisbon is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Cannes is not as famous, but is still a good resort city to visit for its walkability.

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

Cannes is very walkable. Many areas are easily explored on foot including the historic areas and the coastline.

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

Should I spend more time in Cannes or Lisbon?

How long in Lisbon or Cannes?

It's fun to spend time in either Lisbon or Cannes. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Lisbon due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Lisbon, and 2-4 days is enough time in Cannes.

Families should spend more time in Lisbon than Cannes. 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 Cannes than Lisbon. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Cannes that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lisbon than Cannes 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 Cannes?

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 scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Cannes. 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.

A weekend in Lisbon or Cannes?

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.

Cannes 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 Cannes?

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 Cannes. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Lisbon or Cannes?

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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the lavish destination of Cannes. This resort city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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 Bicycle Tours in France, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Cannes?

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

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 Cannes in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Cannes. The beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Cannes for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Lisbon is around the same temperature as Cannes in the summer. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Cannes fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

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

Should I visit Lisbon or Cannes in the Autumn?

Both Cannes and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Lisbon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Cannes in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Lisbon is a little warmer than Cannes. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lisbon in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Cannes averages at about 17°C (63°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cannes. In October, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Cannes. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lisbon or Cannes in the Winter?

Both Cannes and Lisbon during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Lisbon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Cannes for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Lisbon is generally a little warmer than Cannes. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 12°C (53°F), and Cannes fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually gets more rain in January than Cannes. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lisbon or Cannes in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Cannes. Most visitors come to Lisbon for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Cannes because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Lisbon is a little warmer than Cannes in the spring. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Cannes fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In April, Lisbon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cannes. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Cannes and Lisbon