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

Should you visit Lisbon or Geneva?

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

Should I visit Lisbon or Geneva? 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. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Geneva

Geneva is a international, professional, and classy city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Lisbon and Geneva: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lisbon or Geneva?

You'll generally find more things to do in Lisbon than Geneva. Lisbon is bigger than Geneva, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Lisbon is more touristy than Geneva and is popular for its hilltop vistos, beautiful old town, and lively Fado music. Also, Lisbon is famous for Castelo de São Jorge. Geneva is well known for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization.

How is Lisbon different from Geneva?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lisbon is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Lisbon that are not to be missed. World renowned landmarks include St. George's Castle, Jerónimos monastery, the Belém Tower, Santa Justa Lift, and countless world class museums.

Geneva offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Famous sights and landmarks include the spectacular Water Jet, St Pierre Cathedral, and the Palais des Nations. There are also impressive art and history museums in the city.

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

Lisbon is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eat your way through Lisbon, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

Geneva has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city has an amazing mix of traditional Swiss restaurants as well as diverse ethnic options. Traditional dishes include fondue and raclette, both of which involve the decadent Swiss cheese.

Is Lisbon or Geneva Better for Nightlife?

Lisbon is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

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.

If you're looking for night time activities Geneva has a few options to choose from. During the day the city is all business, but at night the professionals, interns, students, and NGO workers all come together to enjoy a drink at a bar or dance at one of the city's diverse clubs.

Is Lisbon or Geneva Better for Music?

Lisbon is an unbeatable place for live music. However, Geneva is not a live music destination.

Lisbon is a world class music destination. 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.

Geneva is not a live music destination.

Is Lisbon or Geneva Better for Beaches?

Lisbon is a good destination for its beaches. However, Geneva is not a beach destination.

Lisbon offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Geneva is not a beach destination.

Is Lisbon or Geneva Better for its Old Town?

Lisbon is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Geneva. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.

Is the Shopping Better in Lisbon or Geneva?

Shoppers can find a variety of amazing stores in both Lisbon and Geneva.

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.

Geneva is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Famous for its posh shops and luxury brands, this city is a popular shopping destination. From chic boutiques to deluxe toy stores, you'll find something for everyone. In particular, the city is known for its Swiss watches, Swiss Army knives, chocolate, and wine.

Is Lisbon or Geneva Better for Families?

Lisbon is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Lisbon is 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.

Geneva offers lots of family activities. This diverse city has a number of chocolate shops, toy stores, and parks where kids can play. They'll be impressed by the Water Jet and there are few places where you can swim in the lake when the weather is warm.

Is Lisbon or Geneva Better for Couples?

Lisbon is a great destination for romance. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

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.

Geneva makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Wandering Old Town, sampling Swiss chocolate, and enjoying one of the many ethnic restaurants around town all make for great date activities. Fondue in a traditional restaurant is also a not to be missed experience.

Is Lisbon or Geneva Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lisbon is an unbeatable place for backpackers. However, Geneva is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Lisbon is a mecca for backpackers and 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.

Geneva is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city is often overlooked by backpackers as it is pretty expensive. Many hotels cater to the business traveler crowd, but there are a few hostels to choose from.

Is Lisbon or Geneva Better for Students?

Both Lisbon and Geneva are superb destinations for students.

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

Geneva is very popular with students. The University of Geneva attracts many international students and the city is quite diverse. It feels like a mixing bowl of cultures, so students will feel very welcomed and comfortable here.

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

Visitors will find amazing public transit in both Lisbon and Geneva.

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.

Geneva has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

Is Lisbon or Geneva a more walkable city?

Lisbon is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

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

Geneva is a very walkable city. Most areas where visitors spend their time can be easily explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Geneva or Lisbon?

How long in Lisbon or Geneva?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Lisbon and Geneva. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Lisbon than in Geneva. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Lisbon, and 1-3 days is enough time in Geneva.

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

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 museums and nightlife when visiting the big city destination of Geneva. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Lisbon or Geneva?

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.

Geneva is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the shopping, 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 Geneva?

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 Geneva. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. 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 Geneva?

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 shopping and museums when visiting the international big city of Geneva. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, and The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lisbon and Geneva, we can see that Geneva is more expensive. And not only is Lisbon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lisbon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lisbon 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 Geneva would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Geneva than you might in Lisbon.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lisbon Expensive? and Is Geneva Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Geneva?

Lisbon has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Geneva. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon and Geneva, 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 Geneva?

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 Geneva in the Summer?

Both Geneva and Lisbon during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Lisbon for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Geneva because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Lisbon is around the same temperature as Geneva. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lisbon in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Geneva averages at about 22°C (71°F).

In Geneva, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lisbon. In the summer, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Geneva. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Geneva receives 285 hours of full sun.

Lisbon usually gets less rain in July than Geneva. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lisbon or Geneva in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Geneva. The autumn months attract visitors to Lisbon because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Geneva this time of year.

In October, Lisbon is generally a little warmer than Geneva. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 19°C (66°F), and Geneva fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Geneva during autumn. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Geneva receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lisbon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Geneva. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lisbon or Geneva in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Geneva. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Geneva for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Geneva. Lisbon is much warmer than Geneva in the winter. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Geneva fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Geneva. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Geneva receives 62 hours of full sun.

Lisbon receives a lot of rain in the winter. Lisbon usually gets more rain in January than Geneva. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lisbon or Geneva in the Spring?

Both Geneva and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Lisbon for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Geneva in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Lisbon is a little warmer than Geneva. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lisbon in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Geneva averages at about 11°C (53°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Geneva during spring. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Geneva receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lisbon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Geneva. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Geneva and Lisbon