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

Should you visit Lisbon or Dublin?

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

Should I visit Lisbon or Dublin? 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 stunning, picturesque, and colorful city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dublin

Dublin is a welcoming, fun, and laid-back city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Lisbon and Dublin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lisbon or Dublin?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Lisbon than Dublin. While Dublin is larger than Lisbon, Lisbon has more sights and attractions 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. Dublin is popular for its friendly and social nightlife, its local pubs, and its role as the birthplace of Guinness.

How is Lisbon different from Dublin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lisbon is terrific for its museums and landmarks. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Lisbon are among the most recognizable in the world. World renowned landmarks include St. George's Castle, Jerónimos monastery, the Belém Tower, Santa Justa Lift, and countless world class museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Dublin. There are a number of museums around town including the National Museum of Ireland, the Little Museum of Dublin, and the National Gallery of Ireland.

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

Lisbon is terrific for its restaurant scene. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Dublin is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Seafood has become popular around town, but you can also try traditional favorites like stew, pancakes, or coddle.

Is Lisbon or Dublin Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Dublin is a world class party destination. Temple Bar is where you'll find the greatest concentration of pubs and nightlife. The city is among the friendliest and most welcoming, and this is seen even in the vibe around town at night.

Is Lisbon or Dublin Better for Music?

Lisbon is terrific for its live music scene. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its music scene.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Lisbon 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.

Dublin has a thriving music scene. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.

Is Lisbon or Dublin Better for Beaches?

Lisbon is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Dublin 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.

Dublin is not a beach destination.

Is Lisbon or Dublin Better for its Old Town?

Lisbon is terrific for its old town. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

Lisbon has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. 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.

Dublin is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. On the south side of the River Liffey are three different historic parts to the city. The Medieval Quarter is the oldest. To the east is Temple Bar, and further east is the Georgian Quarter.

Is the Shopping Better in Lisbon or Dublin?

Lisbon is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Lisbon make it a world-class shopping destination. For high end shopping, head to The Avenida da Liberdade. It's lined with designer brands and luxury boutiques.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Dublin. Head to Grafton Street to see a number of brand name and local shops. It's a pedestrian street that is fun to wander around.

Is Lisbon or Dublin Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Lisbon or Dublin.

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.

Dublin is a very family-friendly place to visit. Explore the waterways with the viking splash, learn about the vikings at the museum Dublina, or visit any of the other kid-friendly museums around town, or see a show at The Gaiety.

Is Lisbon or Dublin Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Lisbon and Dublin make for a very good place to visit.

Lisbon makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Couples visit Dublin frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's laid-back vibe and countless pubs make it a fun weekend getaway for couples.

Is Lisbon or Dublin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lisbon is terrific for backpackers. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Lisbon. 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.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Dublin. There are a number of popular backpacker hostels around town. The pub scene is also popular with the young crowd.

Is Lisbon or Dublin Better for Students?

Lisbon is a great destination for students. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Lisbon is a great city to visit as a student. It's a lively city with a lot to see and do for international students.

It's common for students to visit Dublin. While student accommodation can be a bit expensive in town, the nightlife and social aspect of living in the city center makes it well worth it.

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

Lisbon is terrific for its public transit. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Lisbon can take you anywhere. The metro has four lines that go around the city. There are also trams, buses, and the funiculars.

While Dublin offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Lisbon or Dublin a more walkable city?

Lisbon and Dublin are fantastic 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.

Getting around Dublin on foot is easy. Because it is so compact and flat, it is easy to explore the city center on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Dublin or Lisbon?

How long in Lisbon or Dublin?

In either Lisbon or Dublin, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Lisbon than Dublin because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Lisbon, and 2-5 days is enough time in Dublin.

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

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 destination of Dublin. 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 Dublin?

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.

Dublin is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. 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 Dublin?

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 Dublin. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. 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.

A week in Lisbon or Dublin?

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 friendly destination of Dublin. This 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 Walking Tours in Ireland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland.

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

Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Dublin?

Dublin has a larger population, and is about 98% larger than the population of Lisbon. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon and Dublin, 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 Dublin?

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 Dublin in the Summer?

Both Dublin and Lisbon during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Lisbon for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Dublin in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Lisbon is generally a little warmer than Dublin. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 23°C (73°F), and Dublin fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Lisbon. In the summer, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Dublin. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 166 hours of full sun.

Lisbon usually gets less rain in July than Dublin. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lisbon or Dublin in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Dublin. 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Dublin for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

Lisbon is much warmer than Dublin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Dublin fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Dublin during autumn. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lisbon usually receives more rain than Dublin. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lisbon or Dublin in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Dublin. Most visitors come to Lisbon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Dublin because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Lisbon is much warmer than Dublin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lisbon in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Dublin averages at about 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Dublin. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 56 hours of full sun.

Lisbon receives a lot of rain in the winter. Lisbon usually gets more rain in January than Dublin. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lisbon or Dublin in the Spring?

Both Dublin and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. 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 Dublin this time of year.

In April, Lisbon is generally much warmer than Dublin. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 16°C (60°F), and Dublin fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Dublin during spring. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 157 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lisbon usually receives more rain than Dublin. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dublin and Lisbon