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

Should you visit Lisbon or Graz?

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

Should I visit Lisbon or Graz? 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 picturesque, colorful, and vibrant city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the live music, food, and beaches.

Graz

Graz is a historical, beautiful, and medieval city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Lisbon and Graz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lisbon or Graz?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Lisbon than Graz, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Lisbon is popular for its hilltop vistos, beautiful old town, and lively Fado music. It is also home to Castelo de São Jorge. Graz is popular for its many cultural activities, its impressive old town, and its beautiful Baroque architecture.

How is Lisbon different from Graz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lisbon is renowned for its historical sights. Also, Graz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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

Many visitors head to Graz specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The old town is among the largest in Europe and it's filled with sights and museums. The Schlossberg and the Clock Tower are among the most iconic sights but other highlights include the GrazMuseum, the Mohren Apotheke's Theriak Museum, a Gothic Franciscan Church, and the Robert Stolz Museum.

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

Lisbon is renowned for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Graz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Dining out in Graz is an experience not to be missed. There's a huge focus on sustainable dining in town, so you'll find many restaurants that use a farm to table approach. Local ingredients are heavily valued and it's fun to sample the many local flavors. Backhendl is a classic fried chicken dish that you must try.

Is Lisbon or Graz Better for Nightlife?

Lisbon is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Graz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Lisbon is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

Graz has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The large student population means that there's an active nightlife scene that is diverse and fun. There's a wide variety of bars and pubs with almost any music genre you could want. There are also dance clubs for those who are looking for a party.

Is Lisbon or Graz Better for Music?

Lisbon is renowned for its live music scene. However, Graz is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week 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.

Graz is not a live music destination.

Is Lisbon or Graz Better for Beaches?

Lisbon is a popular place for the beache. However, Graz is not a beach destination.

Lisbon is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Graz is not a beach destination.

Is Lisbon or Graz Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the first-rate old towns in both Lisbon and Graz.

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 Graz can be explored in its historical center. The medieval city center is very well preserved and one of the largest in Europe. The city has a lot of hidden charm and quaint streets to explore.

Is the Shopping Better in Lisbon or Graz?

Lisbon is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Graz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Lisbon draws large crowds to its stores. For high end shopping, head to The Avenida da Liberdade. It's lined with designer brands and luxury boutiques.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Graz. You'll find a lot of shopping around both Jakominiplatz and Hauptplatz Squares. There are also a number of shopping streets in town including Herrengasse which is filled with shops, restaurants, and more.

Is Lisbon or Graz Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Lisbon or Graz.

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.

Graz is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the fairytale train and there's also a 4D cinema that is fun for the whole family. In Schlossberg Hill, families should check out The Slide, which is the largest underground slide in the world. Other highlights include a Children's Museum, a Folklife Museum, and a Natural History Museum.

Is Lisbon or Graz Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Lisbon and Graz make for a high quality 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 Graz frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's filled with culture, history, and amazing food. Couples will appreciate the romantic old town and the many world class sights around town.

Is Lisbon or Graz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lisbon is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Graz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Lisbon is extremely popular 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.

Graz is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are hostels and budget-friendly hotels around town that make this a nice town to explore as a backpacker.

Is Lisbon or Graz Better for Students?

Both Lisbon and Graz are high quality 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.

Graz is very popular with students. It's long been an education center in Austria and students make up a significant portion of the population. It's also a chill city with a relaxed and student-friendly vibe.

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

Lisbon is renowned for times when you don't have a car. Also, Graz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Lisbon has a great public transit system. The metro has four lines that go around the city. There are also trams, buses, and the funiculars.

Graz offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are buses and trams that travel around the town.

Is Lisbon or Graz a more walkable city?

Lisbon and Graz are first-rate 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 Graz on foot is easy. You'll find everything you'd want to see in the old town, which is large, but still compact enough to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Graz or Lisbon?

How long in Lisbon or Graz?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Lisbon and Graz. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Lisbon than in Graz. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Lisbon, and 2-3 days is enough time in Graz.

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

Lisbon is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Graz. 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 Graz?

Lisbon is a fun place to experience. 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 a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Graz 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 Graz?

Lisbon is a colorful big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Graz. 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 Graz?

Lisbon is a colorful city where you can fill many days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historical destination of Graz. 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 Christmas Market Tours in Austria, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Austria.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lisbon and Graz, we can see that Lisbon is more expensive. And not only is Graz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Graz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Graz 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 Graz.

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

Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Graz?

Lisbon has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Graz. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon and Graz, 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 Graz?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Lisbon or Graz in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Graz. The summer months attract visitors to Lisbon because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Graz this time of year.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Graz this time of the year. In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Graz during summer. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Graz receives 236 hours of full sun in the summer.

Graz receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Graz. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Graz receives 126 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Lisbon or Graz in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Graz. 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. Also, many travelers come to Graz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Lisbon is a little warmer than Graz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Graz fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lisbon this time of the year. In the autumn, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Graz. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Graz receives 139 hours of full sun.

Lisbon usually gets more rain in October than Graz. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Graz receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lisbon or Graz in the Winter?

Both Graz and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Lisbon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Graz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Graz can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Lisbon is much warmer than Graz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lisbon in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Graz averages at about 1°C (34°F).

Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Graz during winter. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Graz receives 95 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Lisbon. In January, Lisbon usually receives more rain than Graz. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Graz receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lisbon or Graz in the Spring?

Both Graz and Lisbon during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Lisbon in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Graz for the natural beauty during these months.

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

It's quite sunny in Lisbon. In the spring, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Graz. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Graz receives 158 hours of full sun.

Lisbon usually gets more rain in April than Graz. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Graz receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Graz and Lisbon