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

Should you visit Lisbon or Montpellier?

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

Should I visit Lisbon or Montpellier? 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. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping.

Montpellier

Montpellier is a bustling, beautiful, and friendly city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Lisbon and Montpellier: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lisbon or Montpellier?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lisbon than Montpellier. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Lisbon is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Montpellier attracts visitors for its beaches. Lisbon is more touristy than Montpellier and is popular for its hilltop vistos, beautiful old town, and lively Fado music. It is also well known for Castelo de São Jorge. Montpellier is famous for its relaxed atmosphere, grand boulevards, and authentic personality.

How is Lisbon different from Montpellier?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Lisbon on the map. World renowned landmarks include St. George's Castle, Jerónimos monastery, the Belém Tower, Santa Justa Lift, and countless world class museums.

Montpellier offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. With such a long history, the city has many landmarks and monuments. Also make sure you visit Musée Fabre and Saint-Pierre Cathedral.

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

Lisbon is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Montpellier 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Montpellier. The dishes are made with fresh ingredients produced in the agricultural areas just outside of town. The area is known for its seafood and fish stews.

Is Lisbon or Montpellier Better for Nightlife?

Lisbon is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

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 Montpellier has a few options to choose from. The weather is mild, making for a nice evening out. The population is also young, so you can expect a lot of activity during the evenings, particularly in the area around Place Jean Jaurés. Make sure you enjoy local wine and champagne while you're in town.

Is Lisbon or Montpellier Better for Music?

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

In Lisbon you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. 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.

Montpellier is not a live music destination.

Is Lisbon or Montpellier Better for Beaches?

Montpellier is a very popular place for the beach. Also, Lisbon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

Montpellier is considered a top beach destination. The coastline near Montpellier feels pristine and beautiful. You can also visit Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone to the southwest of town, which is a protected area.

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.

Is Lisbon or Montpellier Better for its Old Town?

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

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 Montpellier can be explored in its historical center. Known as L'Écusson the town's old town dates back to the Middle Ages. It is a pedestrian area that is filled with boutiques, restaurants, and churches.

Is the Shopping Better in Lisbon or Montpellier?

Lisbon is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Lisbon is a world class destination for shoppers. For high end shopping, head to The Avenida da Liberdade. It's lined with designer brands and luxury boutiques.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Montpellier. Head to Rue de la Loge for some of the city's best shopping.

Is Lisbon or Montpellier Better for Families?

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

Lisbon is known to be 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.

Montpellier offers lots of family activities. Popular activities for kids include taking a ride on the carousel in the Comedie, visiting the playground - Jardin Champs de Mars, and visiting the botanical garden - Jardin des Plantes.

Is Lisbon or Montpellier Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Lisbon and Montpellier 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 Montpellier frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Rich in history and beautiful architecture, this city offers a romantic setting for a great couple's getaway.

Is Lisbon or Montpellier Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lisbon is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Lisbon is a very popular city to visit 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.

Montpellier is very popular with the backpacker crowd. With a young population and a number of hostels to choose from, Montpellier attracts its share of backpackers.

Is Lisbon or Montpellier Better for Students?

Montpellier is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Lisbon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Many students frequent Montpellier. Montpellier is a popular university town that is home to many trendy university students. It's also where you'll find the youngest population of any city in France.

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

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

Lisbon is an unbeatable place for its public transit. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Visitors to Montpellier can move around easily with public transportation. There are a number of options for getting around town including the tramway, bus, and tourist train.

Is Lisbon or Montpellier a more walkable city?

Lisbon is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its 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.

Montpellier is very walkable. Many of the sights and attractions are easily accessible on foot and can be enjoyed as part of a self-guided walking tour.

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

Should I spend more time in Montpellier or Lisbon?

How long in Lisbon or Montpellier?

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

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

Lisbon is a vibrant city where you can fill many days. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

Lisbon is a vibrant big city where you can fill many days. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Montpellier 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 Montpellier?

Lisbon is a stunning city where you can fill many days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

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

Lisbon is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Montpellier. 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 in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Montpellier?

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

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 Montpellier in the Summer?

Both Montpellier 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 Montpellier because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Lisbon is around the same temperature as Montpellier in the summer. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Montpellier fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Montpellier, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lisbon. In the summer, Lisbon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Montpellier. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 351 hours of full sun.

Lisbon usually gets less rain in July than Montpellier. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lisbon or Montpellier in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Montpellier. 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 shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Montpellier this time of year.

In the autumn, Lisbon is a little warmer than Montpellier. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lisbon in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Montpellier averages at about 15°C (60°F).

In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Montpellier during autumn. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 187 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Montpellier receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Montpellier. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lisbon or Montpellier in the Winter?

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

In January, Lisbon is generally much warmer than Montpellier. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 12°C (53°F), and Montpellier fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Lisbon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Montpellier. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 147 hours of full sun.

Lisbon receives a lot of rain in the winter. Lisbon usually gets more rain in January than Montpellier. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lisbon or Montpellier in the Spring?

Both Montpellier 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 Montpellier in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Lisbon is a little warmer than Montpellier in the spring. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Montpellier fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Montpellier. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Montpellier during spring. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 230 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lisbon usually receives more rain than Montpellier. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Montpellier and Lisbon