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

Should you visit Lisbon or Playa Blanca?

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

Should I visit Lisbon or Playa Blanca? 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 Playa Blanca?

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.

Playa Blanca

Located on the southern tip of the Canary Island of Lanzarote, Playa Blanca is a resort area popular with families and couples seeking a quieter vacation alternative to the lively neighbor resort of Puerto del Carmen. The resort's white sandy beaches are peaceful and sheltered from the higher winds found on other parts of the island. Timanfaya National Park is also nearby, as well as a number of other spectacular volcanic features.

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 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Playa Blanca 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 Playa Blanca is €155. 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 Playa Blanca in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lisbon 58
    Playa Blanca 81
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lisbon 116
    Playa Blanca 162
Compare Hotels in Lisbon and Playa Blanca

Looking for a hotel in Lisbon or Playa Blanca? 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 Playa Blanca


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 Playa Blanca Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lisbon 24
    Playa Blanca 49
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:

  • lisbon private luxury transfer to or from lisbon airport: $38
  • Transfers from/to Lisbon Airport to: Fátima / Nazaré / Alcobaça..: $262
  • Transfers and Tours safely and comfortably aboard a Tesla M3: $38
  • Transfers - Aeroporto de Lisboa (Chegadas/Partidas): $16
  • Transfer: Airport to where you want: $48
  • Transfer to Tivoli Hotel - Lisbon: $55
  • Transfer to Nazaré from Lisbon: $233
  • Transfer to Fátima from Lisbon: $251
  • Transfer to Ericeira from Lisbon: $108
  • Transfer to Costa da Caparica from Lisbon: $52
  • Transfer to Óbidos from Lisbon: $216
  • Transfer from Lisbon to Porto / Porto to Lisbon: $207

Is it cheaper to fly into Lisbon or Playa Blanca?

Prices for flights to both Playa Blanca 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
    Playa Blanca 45
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
    Playa Blanca 20

Tours and Activities in Lisbon

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

  • Óbidos - Nazaré - Mafra (National Palace of Mafra)Private tour from Lisbon: $217
  • 2-Hour Night Sailing Tour in Lisbon with a Drink: $49
  • Divine Journey : Fatima Full Day Private Tour: $164
  • Lisbon Full Day Small Group City Tour: $71
  • Lisbon by Heart Private Walking Tour: $65
  • Saint George Castle Guided Tour from Lisbon: $34
  • Sintra or Cascais Half-day Private Tour - The real portuguese essence!: $120
  • Street Art Walking Tour in Lisbon - Parque das Nações: $16
  • Évora Private Tour - Cork Factory and Wine Estate Included: $245
  • Évora Tour - Évora Town and Surroundings Private Tour: $243
  • Évora Tour - The heart of Alentejo region: $104
  • Évora Unveiled: A Half-Day Discovery| Premium Private Experience : $109

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lisbon 18
    Playa Blanca 9.29

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 Playa Blanca, we can see that Playa Blanca 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 Playa Blanca would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Playa Blanca 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 Playa Blanca Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Playa Blanca?

Lisbon has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Playa Blanca. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon and Playa Blanca, 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 Playa Blanca?

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 Playa Blanca in the Summer?

Both Playa Blanca and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Lisbon in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

It's quite sunny in Playa Blanca. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Playa Blanca during summer. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Playa Blanca receives 282 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Lisbon usually receives more rain than Playa Blanca. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Playa Blanca receives 0 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Lisbon 23°C (73°F) 
    Playa Blanca 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Lisbon or Playa Blanca in the Autumn?

Both Playa Blanca and Lisbon during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Lisbon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Lisbon is cooler than Playa Blanca in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Playa Blanca fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In Playa Blanca, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lisbon. In the autumn, Lisbon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Playa Blanca. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa Blanca receives 224 hours of full sun.

Lisbon usually gets more rain in October than Playa Blanca. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Playa Blanca receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Lisbon 19°C (66°F) 
    Playa Blanca 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Lisbon or Playa Blanca in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Playa Blanca. The winter months attract visitors to Lisbon because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Lisbon is cooler than Playa Blanca. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lisbon in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Playa Blanca averages at about 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa Blanca this time of the year. Lisbon usually receives less sunshine than Playa Blanca during winter. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Playa Blanca receives 204 hours of full sun in the winter.

Lisbon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Lisbon usually receives more rain than Playa Blanca. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Playa Blanca receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Lisbon 12°C (53°F) 
    Playa Blanca 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Lisbon or Playa Blanca in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Playa Blanca. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year.

In April, Lisbon is generally cooler than Playa Blanca. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 16°C (60°F), and Playa Blanca fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa Blanca. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lisbon this time of the year. In the spring, Lisbon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Playa Blanca. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa Blanca receives 250 hours of full sun.

Lisbon usually gets more rain in April than Playa Blanca. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Playa Blanca receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Lisbon 16°C (60°F) 
    Playa Blanca 19°C (66°F)

Typical Weather for Playa Blanca and Lisbon

Lisbon Playa Blanca
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 17°C (63°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 17°C (63°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 18°C (64°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 19°C (66°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 20°C (68°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 22°C (72°F) 0 mm (0 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 0 mm (0 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 25°C (77°F) 0 mm (0 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 24°C (75°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 20°C (68°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 18°C (64°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)