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

Should you visit Lisbon or Girona?

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

Should I visit Lisbon or Girona? 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. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Girona

Girona is a charming, beautiful, and colorful city. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Lisbon and Girona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lisbon or Girona?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Lisbon than Girona, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Lisbon is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, music, beaches, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Girona is known for its small town charm and quaint atmosphere. Lisbon is more touristy than Girona and is popular for its hilltop vistos, beautiful old town, and lively Fado music. It is also home to Castelo de São Jorge. Girona is popular for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine.

How is Lisbon different from Girona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lisbon is an unbeatable place for its sights and museums. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Girona offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Wander the ancient city walls, explore the beautiful Girona Cathedral, and learn about the Church of Sant Feliu. There are also some interesting museums in town including the Museum of Jewish History, the Archaeology Museum, and the Film Museum. Also make sure you walk across the famed Eiffel Bridge.

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

Lisbon is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Girona has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The small city is filled with cafes and restaurants that spill out into the street. There are also markets such as El Lleó Marketplace where you can check out fresh, local items. Many restaurants also have Catalonian style tapas, seafood such as octopus, and garlic shrimp. For breakfast, there are many pastry shops where you can enjoy a European breakfast.

Is Lisbon or Girona Better for Nightlife?

Lisbon is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. However, Girona is not a good city for its evening party scene.

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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Girona. It's a surprisingly quiet town, especially compared to other nearby party cities, but there are some nightclubs, bars, and music venues that are worth checking out.

Is Lisbon or Girona Better for Music?

Lisbon is an unbeatable place for its live music scene. However, Girona is not a live music destination.

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.

Girona is not a live music destination.

Is Lisbon or Girona Better for Beaches?

Lisbon is a good destination for the beache. However, Girona 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.

Girona is not a beach destination.

Is Lisbon or Girona Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the amazing old towns in both Lisbon and Girona.

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.

The rich history of Girona can be explored in its historical center. It's a beautiful medieval old town with many wandering streets that are lined with storefronts and classic European cafes.

Is the Shopping Better in Lisbon or Girona?

Lisbon is an unbeatable place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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 Girona. In and around the old town you'll find modern shops, local eateries, charming markets, and anything you might need to purchase. There's also no shortage of souvenir and trinket shops, but they have a bit of personality and character to them.

Is Lisbon or Girona Better for Families?

Lisbon is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. However, Girona is not a good city for its kid-friendly activities.

Lisbon is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Girona is not always a place people visit with their families. While the old town is beautiful, with charming colorful buildings, the city itself doesn't have a wide number of activities for kids. There are ice cream shops where they can enjoy a sweet treat. There are also several museums and many restaurants have kid-friendly menus.

Is Lisbon or Girona Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Lisbon and Girona make for a superb 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 Girona frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The setting is both beautiful and romantic. Couples can enjoy wandering the streets, popping in the many shops, and soaking up the atmosphere. There are also many great restaurants that make for a wonderful night out. Head up the hills towards the cathedral for the best viewpoints, or wander along the river and enjoy the colorful atmosphere.

Is Lisbon or Girona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lisbon is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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 visit Girona. Prices aren't too crazy and it's not hard to find a place to stay for an affordable price, but you won't find the lively backpacker scene that is common in many nearby cities.

Is Lisbon or Girona Better for Students?

Lisbon is a well-known place for students. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Many students visit Lisbon. It's a lively city with a lot to see and do for international students.

Plenty of students visit Girona. It's a smaller city with affordable accommodation and many great restaurants. It has a quintessential European atmosphere that makes it a fun place to spend some time as a student

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

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

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.

Girona has some public transit options. The town is small enough that you can likely walk anywhere you want to go, but if you need transit, there are 10 local bus routes.

Is Lisbon or Girona a more walkable city?

Lisbon and Girona are amazing 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 Girona on foot is easy. Everything is easily accessible on foot and its best not to bring a car into town.

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

Should I spend more time in Girona or Lisbon?

How long in Lisbon or Girona?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Lisbon or Girona to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Lisbon than Girona because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Lisbon, and 1-2 days is enough time in Girona.

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

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 shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Girona. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Lisbon or Girona?

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.

Girona 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 Girona?

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 Girona. 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 Girona?

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 charming destination of Girona. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.

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

Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Girona?

Lisbon has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Girona. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon and Girona, 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 Girona?

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 Girona in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Girona. Most visitors come to Lisbon for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Girona because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Lisbon is generally around the same temperature as Girona. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 23°C (73°F), and Girona fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Girona. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lisbon this time of the year. In the summer, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Girona. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 279 hours of full sun.

Lisbon usually gets less rain in July than Girona. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Girona receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lisbon or Girona in the Autumn?

Both Girona and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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. Also, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Girona this time of year.

Lisbon is a little warmer than Girona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Girona fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Girona during autumn. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 170 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lisbon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Girona. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Girona receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lisbon or Girona in the Winter?

Both Girona and Lisbon during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Girona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Lisbon is much warmer than Girona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lisbon in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Girona averages at about 8°C (46°F).

In the winter, Lisbon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Girona. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 148 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually gets more rain in January than Girona. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Girona receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lisbon or Girona in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Girona. Many travelers come to Lisbon for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Girona in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Lisbon is generally a little warmer than Girona. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 16°C (60°F), and Girona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Girona during spring. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Girona. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Girona receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Girona and Lisbon