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

Should you visit Lisbon or Seville?

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

Should I visit Lisbon or Seville? 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. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the live music, food, and beaches.

Seville

Seville is a beautiful, world-renowned, and historic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and theater.

Lisbon and Seville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lisbon or Seville?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Lisbon than Seville. While Seville is larger than Lisbon, Lisbon has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Lisbon is more popular for its food, nightlife, music, beaches, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Seville is known for its theatre productions. Seville is more touristy than Lisbon and is known for its Moorish and Islamic architecture, its colorful Flamenco dancing, and its local tapas and wine. Lisbon is popular for its hilltop vistos, beautiful old town, and lively Fado music. It is also home to Castelo de São Jorge.

How is Lisbon different from Seville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of amazing museums and attractions in both Seville and Lisbon.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Lisbon has many famous sights for visitors. World renowned landmarks include St. George's Castle, Jerónimos monastery, the Belém Tower, Santa Justa Lift, and countless world class museums.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Seville that are not to be missed. This elegant city is filled with historic buildings and world famous architecture. From the iconic Catedral de Sevilla to the Real Alcázar and Plaza de España, there is an endless supply of world class sights around town.

Is Lisbon or Seville Better for Theater?

Seville is a popular place for its shows and theatre. However, Lisbon is not a theatre destination.

You'll find a nice selection of shows in Seville. Flamenco shows are a highlight for many visitors. You can sip wine and enjoy tapas as you take in this dramatic dance form.

Lisbon is not a theatre destination.

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

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

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.

Dining out in Seville is an experience not to be missed. The city is filled with cafes that spill into the streets. Locals live their lives outdoors, and the cafe terraces are filled with chattering guests from breakfast until late in the evening. The food includes many typical Spanish favorites such as Iberian pork, stewed meats, and other local tapas.

Is Lisbon or Seville Better for Nightlife?

Lisbon is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Seville is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Lisbon is a must-see party destination. 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.

Seville offers plenty to do in the evening. The excellent nightlife scene includes local bars, Flamenco shows, and student focused parties. The Triana District is a popular nightlife area, particularly for the Flamenco shows. There are also a lot of bars along Calle Betis and upscale ambiance can be found in La Alameda.

Is Lisbon or Seville Better for Music?

Lisbon is terrific for its live music scene. However, Seville is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Lisbon. 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.

Seville is not a live music destination.

Is Lisbon or Seville Better for Beaches?

Lisbon is a good destination for the beache. However, Seville is not a beach destination.

Lisbon offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Seville is not a beach destination.

Is Lisbon or Seville Better for its Old Town?

Lisbon is terrific for its old town. Also, Seville is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town charm.

Lisbon has a unique history which comes to life in its historic 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.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Seville. Barrio de Santa Cruz is the old town of Seville. This is where you'll find the Jewish Quarter and many of the city's historic landmarks.

Is the Shopping Better in Lisbon or Seville?

Lisbon is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Seville is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Lisbon draws large crowds to its stores. For high end shopping, head to The Avenida da Liberdade. It's lined with designer brands and luxury boutiques.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Seville. There is a great combination of shopping streets, high end shopping malls, and local markets. Calle Sierpes, Calle Tetuan, and Calle Asuncion are some of the best places for shopping.

Is Lisbon or Seville Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Lisbon or Seville.

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.

Seville is a very family-friendly place to visit. There are parks where kids can run around. There's also the Seville Aquarium as well as Isla Mágica, which is a small amusement park. Other fun family-friendly activities include taking a boat ride on the Guadalquivir River and seeing a Flamenco Show.

Is Lisbon or Seville Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Lisbon and Seville 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 Seville frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Romantic walks, beautiful parks, and world class attractions make this a truly romantic city. Couples will enjoy an evening out with dinner and a Flamenco show, or visiting the Arab baths.

Is Lisbon or Seville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Lisbon is extremely popular 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.

Seville is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. It's a well established backpacker destination with a large supply of hostels and plenty of eager travelers ready to head out on the town.

Is Lisbon or Seville Better for Students?

Seville 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 Seville. It's a top destination for international students who appreciate the many great educational institutions, beautiful year-round weather, and many festivals and evening activities.

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

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

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

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

Seville has a few public transit options. There are buses that travel through the entire city. There is also a tram system that has 4 stops and travels 1.4 kilometers.

Is Lisbon or Seville a more walkable city?

Lisbon is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Seville is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

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.

Seville is a very walkable destination. There are many parts of the city that are very walkable. It takes about 45 minutes to walk across the city center in its entirety.

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

Should I spend more time in Seville or Lisbon?

How long in Lisbon or Seville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Lisbon and Seville. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Lisbon than in Seville. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Lisbon, and 2-3 days is enough time in Seville.

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

Because Lisbon is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Seville. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Lisbon or Seville?

Because Lisbon is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Seville is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. 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 Seville?

Lisbon is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Lisbon has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Seville. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. 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 Seville?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lisbon. Because Lisbon is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the beautiful destination of Seville. 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 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

When comparing the travel costs between Lisbon and Seville, 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 Seville Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Seville?

Seville has a larger population, and is about 36% larger than the population of Lisbon. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon and Seville, 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 Seville?

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 Seville in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Seville. 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 Seville because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Lisbon is generally cooler than Seville. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 23°C (73°F), and Seville fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Seville this time of the year. In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lisbon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Seville during summer. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Seville receives 360 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Lisbon usually receives more rain than Seville. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Seville receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Lisbon or Seville in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Seville. 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. Additionally, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Seville this time of year.

Lisbon is around the same temperature as Seville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Seville fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Seville. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lisbon this time of the year. In the autumn, Lisbon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Seville. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seville receives 208 hours of full sun.

Lisbon usually gets more rain in October than Seville. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Seville receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lisbon or Seville in the Winter?

Both Seville and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Seville for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Lisbon is around the same temperature as Seville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lisbon in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Seville averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Lisbon usually receives less sunshine than Seville during winter. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Seville receives 173 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Lisbon. In January, Lisbon usually receives more rain than Seville. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Seville receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lisbon or Seville in the Spring?

Both Seville and Lisbon during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Lisbon for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Seville in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Lisbon is generally around the same temperature as Seville. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 16°C (60°F), and Seville fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Seville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lisbon. In the spring, Lisbon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Seville. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seville receives 221 hours of full sun.

Lisbon usually gets more rain in April than Seville. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Seville receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Seville and Lisbon