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

Should you visit Lisbon or Podgorica?

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

Should I visit Lisbon or Podgorica? 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 Podgorica?

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.

Podgorica

Podgorica is Montenegro's capital city, and also its largest. Dating back to the Ottoman Empire, World War II destroyed much of this history, but there are a few Turkish remnants worth visiting. Podgorica's central location often makes the city a good starting point for day trips to coastal cities or mountain resorts.

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 Budget Tours to Montenegro, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Montenegro.


Which place is cheaper, Podgorica 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 Podgorica is €105. 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 Podgorica in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lisbon 58
    Podgorica 46
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lisbon 116
    Podgorica 92
Compare Hotels in Lisbon and Podgorica

Looking for a hotel in Lisbon or Podgorica? 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 Podgorica


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 Podgorica Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lisbon 24
    Podgorica 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:

  • Shared Arrival Transfer: From Lisbon Airport to Hotels: $11
  • Private Departure Transfer: From hotels to Lisbon Airport: $14
  • Airport Shuttle Transfer to/from Lisbon Center: $14
  • Lisbon Private Departure Transfer to Airport, Train or Port: $14
  • Lisbon Private Airport Departure Transfer: $14
  • Airport Private Transfer to/from Lisbon city hotels: $15
  • Private Transfer: Lisbon Airport to or from Lisbon Center: $15
  • Exclusive Luxury Transfers to/from Lisbon Airport: $16
  • Transfers - Aeroporto de Lisboa (Chegadas/Partidas): $16
  • Private Lisbon Airport Transfers: Your Journey, Your Way: $17
  • Lisbon Airport Transfer: $20
  • Private Transfer Within City Center & Airport: $21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Podgorica

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Podgorica:

  • VAN Private transfers from Airport Podgorica and city to Budva: $120
  • Transfer from Podgorica to Sarajevo: $251
  • Transfer from Podgorica Airport to Budva (and viceversa): $91
  • Transfer from Podgorica Airport to Budva: $87
  • Transfer from Podgorica Airport to Bar (and viceversa): $91
  • Transfer from Podgorica Airport and city to Tivat : $108
  • Private transfers from Podgorica Airport and city to Budva: $75
  • Private transfers from Podgorica Airport and city to Bar: $75
  • Private transfer from Podgorica to Ostrog monastery (minivan): $117
  • Private transfer from Podgorica airport to Podgorica city: $26
  • Private Transfer from Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Ulcinj : $107
  • Private Transfer from Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Tivat downtown: $117

Is it cheaper to fly into Lisbon or Podgorica?

Prices for flights to both Podgorica 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
    Podgorica 41
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
    Podgorica 21

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 Podgorica

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Podgorica are as follows:

  • ATV Private Tour Montenegro – Žabljak Crnojevića: $333
  • ATV Tour Montenegro - Žabljak Crnojevića: $195
  • Bar and Ulcinj Private Tour - Oriental Montenegro Experience: $240
  • Bay of Kotor hiking experience - Montenegro Travel Club private tour: $185
  • Biogradska Gora - Biograd Lake & Moraca canyon - Skadar Lake tour: $156
  • Book Your Donkey Farm Tour: $57
  • Book Your Montenegro Tour: $99
  • Book Your Sunset in Budva Tour : $93
  • Book Your Tour Ostrog Monastery: $65
  • Book Your Tour Podgorica by walk: $36
  • Cheese farm tour in the katun: $279
  • Cultural Bike Tour of Podgorica;Discovering the Ancient Treasures: $71

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lisbon 18
    Podgorica 20

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Podgorica

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Podgorica:

  • Private Wine Tasting Activity at Lipovac Winery: $27
  • Book Your Wine Tour: $77
  • Podgorica Car Trip - Architecture, History, Wine tasting, Churches, Doclea city: $93
  • Podgorica Car Trip, Doclea city, Wine tasting, Niagara falls: $106
  • Wine tasting in the family winery, feel the spirit: $120
  • Montenegro: Nature, Locals & Wine Tour: $128
  • Skadar lake boat ride through "Montenegrin Amazon", wine tasting & Niagara falls: $196


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

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


Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Podgorica?

Lisbon has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Podgorica. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon and Podgorica, 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 Podgorica?

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 Podgorica in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Podgorica. Many travelers come to Lisbon for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Lisbon is cooler than Podgorica. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lisbon in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Podgorica averages at about 26°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Podgorica. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lisbon this time of the year. In the summer, Lisbon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Podgorica. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Podgorica receives 341 hours of full sun.

Lisbon usually gets less rain in July than Podgorica. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Lisbon 23°C (73°F) 
    Podgorica 26°C (80°F)

Should I visit Lisbon or Podgorica in the Autumn?

Both Podgorica and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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.

In October, Lisbon is generally a little warmer than Podgorica. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 19°C (66°F), and Podgorica fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Podgorica. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Podgorica during autumn. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Podgorica receives 203 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Podgorica. In October, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Podgorica. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Lisbon 19°C (66°F) 
    Podgorica 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Lisbon or Podgorica in the Winter?

Both Podgorica and Lisbon during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Lisbon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Lisbon is much warmer than Podgorica in the winter. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Podgorica fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Podgorica. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Podgorica receives 121 hours of full sun.

Podgorica gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually gets less rain in January than Podgorica. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 192 mm (7.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Lisbon 12°C (53°F) 
    Podgorica 6°C (42°F)

Should I visit Lisbon or Podgorica in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Podgorica. The spring months attract visitors to Lisbon because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Lisbon is around the same temperature as Podgorica. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lisbon in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Podgorica averages at about 14°C (58°F).

In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Podgorica during spring. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Podgorica receives 194 hours of full sun in the spring.

Podgorica receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Podgorica. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Lisbon 16°C (60°F) 
    Podgorica 14°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Podgorica and Lisbon

Lisbon Podgorica
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 6°C (42°F) 192 mm (7.6 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 8°C (46°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 11°C (51°F) 159 mm (6.3 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 14°C (58°F) 144 mm (5.7 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 23°C (73°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 26°C (80°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 26°C (79°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 22°C (72°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 166 mm (6.5 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 11°C (53°F) 239 mm (9.4 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 7°C (45°F) 217 mm (8.5 in)