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

Should you visit Lisbon or Manchester?

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

Should I visit Lisbon or Manchester? 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. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Manchester

Manchester is a diverse, cultural, and vibrant city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Lisbon and Manchester: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lisbon or Manchester?

You'll generally find more things to do in Lisbon than Manchester. Lisbon is bigger than Manchester, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Lisbon is more touristy than Manchester and is known for its hilltop vistos, beautiful old town, and lively Fado music. Also, Lisbon is famous for Castelo de São Jorge. Manchester is well known for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club.

How is Lisbon different from Manchester?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Travelers visit Lisbon from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. World renowned landmarks include St. George's Castle, Jerónimos monastery, the Belém Tower, Santa Justa Lift, and countless world class museums.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Manchester can be an interesting and educational experience. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

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

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

Lisbon has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Manchester. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

Is Lisbon or Manchester Better for Nightlife?

Lisbon is very popular for nightlife. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Lisbon is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

Manchester has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

Is Lisbon or Manchester Better for Music?

Lisbon is very popular for live music. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its live music scene.

Lisbon is known as a music capital around the world. 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.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in Manchester. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Is Lisbon or Manchester Better for Beaches?

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

Many people head to Lisbon to enjoy the beach. 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.

Manchester is not a beach destination.

Is Lisbon or Manchester Better for its Old Town?

Lisbon is very popular for its historic old town. However, Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Lisbon has a world-famous historical 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.

Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Lisbon or Manchester?

Lisbon is very popular for shopping. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Lisbon. For high end shopping, head to The Avenida da Liberdade. It's lined with designer brands and luxury boutiques.

Manchester is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

Is Lisbon or Manchester Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Lisbon or Manchester.

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.

Manchester is a very family-friendly place to visit. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United Museum.

Is Lisbon or Manchester Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Lisbon and Manchester make for a great 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 Manchester frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

Is Lisbon or Manchester Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Many backpackers frequent 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Manchester. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

Is Lisbon or Manchester Better for Students?

Both Lisbon and Manchester are great 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.

Manchester is very popular with students. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

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

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

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

Public transit in Manchester can get you to some places easily. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

Is Lisbon or Manchester a more walkable city?

Lisbon is very popular for its walkability. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

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

Manchester is a somewhat walkable place. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Manchester or Lisbon?

How long in Lisbon or Manchester?

It's fun to spend time in either Lisbon or Manchester. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Lisbon due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Lisbon, and 2-4 days is enough time in Manchester.

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

When visiting Lisbon, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 big city destination of Manchester. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Lisbon or Manchester?

When visiting Lisbon, people usually allow for lots of time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Manchester 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 Manchester?

Lisbon, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

Lisbon is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the vibrant big city of Manchester. 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, The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lisbon and Manchester, we can see that Manchester 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 Manchester would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manchester 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 Manchester Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Manchester?

Lisbon has a larger population, and is about 31% larger than the population of Manchester. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon and Manchester, 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 Manchester?

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 Manchester in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Manchester. The beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Manchester for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Lisbon is a little warmer than Manchester. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lisbon in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Manchester averages at about 16°C (62°F).

In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Manchester during summer. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 176 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Manchester. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Lisbon or Manchester in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Manchester. Many travelers come to Lisbon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Manchester in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Lisbon is generally much warmer than Manchester. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 19°C (66°F), and Manchester fluctuates around 11°C (52°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 Manchester. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 97 hours of full sun.

Lisbon usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Manchester. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lisbon or Manchester in the Winter?

Both Manchester and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Lisbon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Manchester for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Manchester can be very cold during winter. Lisbon is much warmer than Manchester in the winter. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Manchester fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Manchester during winter. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 53 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Lisbon. In January, Lisbon usually receives more rain than Manchester. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lisbon or Manchester in the Spring?

Both Manchester and Lisbon during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Lisbon for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Manchester because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Lisbon is much warmer than Manchester. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lisbon in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Manchester averages at about 8°C (46°F).

It's quite sunny in Lisbon. In the spring, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Manchester. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 144 hours of full sun.

Lisbon usually gets more rain in April than Manchester. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Manchester and Lisbon