A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lisbon vs. Lugo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Lisbon or Lugo?

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

Should I visit Lisbon or Lugo? 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.

Where Should I go: Lisbon or Lugo?

Lisbon

Portugal's capital city of Lisbon continues to grow in popularity as a travel destination. The cultural scene has come to life in recent years and the city itself is stunningly beautiful. It sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and is made up of hills that create a dramatic and scenic layout. The city has many white-bleached limestone buildings, narrow alleyways, and a laidback charm that appeals to visitors.

Lugo

Located in northwestern Spain, Lugo is a city of the Galicia region best known for its old city, completely surrounded by Roman walls. Within these walls are some of Lugo's most impressive sights including a striking city hall, elaborate cathedral, and many beautiful city squares and plazas. The city is also known for its festivals and is the capital of a province of the same name.

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 Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Lugo or Lisbon?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Lisbon is €131, while the average daily cost in Lugo is €98. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Lisbon and Lugo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lisbon 58
    Lugo 50
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lisbon 116
    Lugo 100
Compare Hotels in Lisbon and Lugo

Looking for a hotel in Lisbon or Lugo? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Lisbon


Hotels in Lugo


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Lisbon Hotel Prices and Lugo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lisbon 24
    Lugo 20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lisbon

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:


  • Taxi Ride
    6.50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon

Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Private Transfer to Cascais | Sintra | Estoril: $29
  • Airport Private Transfer to Lisbon: $23
  • Airport Transfer - Lisbon: $60
  • Airport Transfer: Lisbon Airport LIS to Lisbon in Luxury Van: $95
  • Airport Transfer: Lisbon to Lisbon Airport LIS in Business Car: $66
  • Airport Transfer: Lisbon to Lisbon Airport LIS in Luxury Van: $95
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Lisbon airport LIS to Lisbon City by Luxury Van: $48
  • Arrival Transfer: Lisbon Airport LIS to Lisbon in Business Car: $65
  • Cascais transfer: Private Transfer to/from Cascais or Lisbon: $59
  • Costa da Caparica Private Transfer from / to Lisbon: $33
  • Departure Private Transfer from Lisbon City to Lisbon airport LIS by Luxury Van: $48
  • Exclusive Luxury Transfers to/from Lisbon Airport: $16

Is it cheaper to fly into Lisbon or Lugo?

Prices for flights to both Lugo and Lisbon change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Lisbon 42
    Lugo 34
Typical Food Prices in Lisbon

For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Coffee
    2.50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisbon

For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Soirée Rivage - Sunset cruise with dinner and Party: $25
  • Hard Rock Cafe Lisbon with Set Lunch or Dinner : $28
  • Tapas Food Tour: $42
  • Fado Show and Portuguese Dinner: $48
  • Lisbon Food Tour: $53
  • Alfama Tour and Live Fado with Traditional Dinner: $53
  • 2-Hour Pastel de Nata Cooking Class: $53
  • Legendary Beer Dinner: $53
  • No Diet Club - Unique food tour in Lisbon with many Tastings: $62
  • Original Morning Food Tour: $63
  • Lisbon Tipsy Food Tour with Drinks and Food inlcuded: $70
  • Tipsy Food Crawl Walking Tour with Dinner: $70

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lisbon 24
    Lugo 13

Tours and Activities in Lisbon

For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • See Lisbon Through the Eyes of a Local - Free Walking Tour: $1.07
  • Lisbon Walking Tour - The Perfect Introduction to the City: $1.12
  • Belém Unveiled: A Free Tour Through the Age of Discoveries: $1.28
  • Alfama Walking Tour Lisbon: $3.26
  • Wonders of Lisbon Walking Tour: $3.93
  • 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour in Lisbon: $4.36
  • 2-Hour Walking Tour in the Marvels of Lisbon : $4.80
  • Tower of Saint George’s Castle Church Ticket & Drink: $5.35
  • Lisbon Highlights Self Guided Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $5.35
  • Lisbon Cathedral Entry Ticket: $5.35
  • Lisbon Walking Tour: $5.35
  • A Self-Guided Audio Tour From Príncipe Real to Downtown Lisbon: $5.53

Tours and Activities in Lugo

Here are a few actual costs in Lugo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Private Guided Walking Tour: $80
  • ¡¡NEW!! Private Walking Tour with Local Guide: $80
  • Cathedral of Santa Maria Entry Ticket and Audio Guide: $6.42

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lisbon 18
    Lugo 16

Sample the Local Flavors in Lisbon

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:

  • Pub Crawl with Unlimited Drinks and VIP Club Entry: $18
  • 1-Hour Portuguese Wine Tasting Session: $20
  • Lisbon Pub Crawl: $21
  • Pub Crawl with Open Bar and VIP Club Entry: $21
  • Pub Crawl with Open Bar, Shots, & VIP Club Entry: $21
  • Lisbon Wild Pub Crawl : $22
  • Private Bar Crawl in Lisbon: $22
  • Beer Tasting in a Classic Brewery: $27
  • Pub Crawl Lisbon: $27
  • Wine Tasting at Quinta das Murgas: $38
  • Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $42
  • Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl in Lisbon with Local Guide: $43


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

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


Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Lugo?

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

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 Lugo in the Summer?

Both Lugo 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.

In July, Lisbon is generally a little warmer than Lugo. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 23°C (73°F), and Lugo fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In Lugo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lisbon. In the summer, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Lugo. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lugo receives 248 hours of full sun.

Lisbon usually gets less rain in July than Lugo. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Lugo receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Lisbon 23°C (73°F) 
    Lugo 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Lisbon or Lugo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Lugo. 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.

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

In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Lugo during autumn. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Lugo receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Lugo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Lugo. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lugo receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Lisbon 19°C (66°F) 
    Lugo 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Lisbon or Lugo in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Lisbon is a little warmer than Lugo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lisbon in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Lugo averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Lugo. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lugo receives 103 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Lugo. Lisbon receives a lot of rain in the winter. Lisbon usually gets less rain in January than Lugo. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Lugo receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Lisbon 12°C (53°F) 
    Lugo 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Lisbon or Lugo in the Spring?

Both Lugo 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.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Lugo during spring. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Lugo receives 167 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Lugo. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Lugo receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Lisbon 16°C (60°F) 
    Lugo 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Lugo and Lisbon

Lisbon Lugo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 11°C (51°F) 131 mm (5.2 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 12°C (53°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 13°C (55°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 15°C (58°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 17°C (62°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 19°C (66°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 19°C (67°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 19°C (65°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 16°C (61°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 13°C (55°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 11°C (52°F) 128 mm (5 in)