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

Should you visit Lisbon or Toronto?

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

Should I visit Lisbon or Toronto? 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 vibrant, stunning, and picturesque city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Lisbon is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums. See Lisbon travel costs.

Toronto

Toronto is a vibrant, cultural, and diverse city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Toronto travel costs.

Lisbon and Toronto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lisbon or Toronto?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Lisbon than Toronto. While Toronto is larger than Lisbon, Lisbon has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Lisbon is well known for its hilltop vistos, beautiful old town, and lively Fado music. Also, Lisbon is famous for Castelo de São Jorge. Toronto is well known for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population.

How is Lisbon different from Toronto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of terrific museums and attractions in both Toronto 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 Toronto that are not to be missed. The city is filled with landmarks and museums such as the CN Tower and the Royal Ontario Museum. Ripley's Aquarium is a highlight for many visitors. It's near the CN Tower and has an underwater tunnel. The city is also filled with art galleries and cultural sights. Another must is a visit to Casa Loma and, of course, the Toronto Zoo.

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

Lisbon is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Toronto is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Many restaurants in Lisbon have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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 Toronto. The food scene is as diverse as the city itself. You'll find classic Canadian favorites like peameal bacon sandwiches and beavertails, as well as almost any international cuisine you could want. Make sure you try the dim sum, roti, and street hot dogs.

Is Lisbon or Toronto Better for Nightlife?

The terrific nightlife scene is relatively similar in Lisbon and Toronto.

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.

Toronto is a world class party destination. It's a diverse nightlife scene, with upscale lounges, dive bars, live music, and high energy nightclubs. Popular areas for nightlife include King Street, the Ossington Strip, College Street, and Kensington Market.

Is Lisbon or Toronto Better for Music?

Lisbon is terrific for live music. However, Toronto is not a live music destination.

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.

Toronto is not a live music destination.

Is Lisbon or Toronto Better for Beaches?

Lisbon is a city with good options for its beaches. However, Toronto is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Lisbon. 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.

Toronto is not a beach destination.

Is Lisbon or Toronto Better for its Old Town?

Lisbon is terrific for its historic old town. However, Toronto does not have a historic old town.

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.

Toronto does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Lisbon or Toronto?

Shoppers can find a variety of terrific stores in both Lisbon and Toronto.

Many people travel to Lisbon specifically to go shopping. For high end shopping, head to The Avenida da Liberdade. It's lined with designer brands and luxury boutiques.

Toronto is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Shopping is huge here, with plenty of options available that range from large malls to vintage stores or flea markets. Eaton Center on Yonge Street is a major shopping area. Yonge Street is also home to more than 600 retail stores.

Is Lisbon or Toronto More Beautiful?

Lisbon is terrific for its scenery and beauty. However, Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

Lisbon is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. With its bright colors and dramatic hills, many people consider it to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. There are many spectacular viewpoints that look out over the city.

Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Lisbon or Toronto Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Lisbon or Toronto.

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.

Toronto is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy the city's many family-friendly museums like the Royal Ontario Museum or the Ontario Science Center. Younger kids will have fun playing at the Centreville Theme Park while all ages will love a day at Canada's Wonderland. Black Creek Pioneer Village is a highlight for many families as well.

Is Lisbon or Toronto Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Lisbon and Toronto make for a excellent 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 Toronto frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This city is full of energy, and couples can enjoy amazing meals, impressive shows, and romantic outings. You can picnic at a park or check out the view from CN Tower. There are also dinner cruises and live theater.

Is Lisbon or Toronto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lisbon is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Toronto is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Toronto is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town and there's often a good crowd of backpackers.

Is Lisbon or Toronto Better for Students?

Toronto 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 Toronto. The city has a good number of universities that attract students from around the globe. This is a very livable city with a lot of diversity and plenty of entertainment options.

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

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

Visitors will find terrific public transit in both Lisbon and Toronto.

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.

Toronto has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. Union Station is the hub of the city's transportation system, which includes subways, buses and streetcars.

Is Lisbon or Toronto a more walkable city?

Lisbon is terrific for its walkability. Also, Toronto is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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

Toronto is a very walkable city. It's a pedestrian-friendly city that is great for exploring on foot. The waterfront area has a walkway and there are cycling trails around town as well.

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

Should I spend more time in Toronto or Lisbon?

How long in Lisbon or Toronto?

Both Lisbon and Toronto have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Lisbon has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Lisbon than Toronto. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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 museums and nightlife when visiting the big city destination of Toronto. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Lisbon or Toronto?

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.

Toronto is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Lisbon or Toronto?

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 Toronto. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Lisbon or Toronto?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant big city of Toronto. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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 Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lisbon and Toronto, we can see that Toronto is more expensive. And not only is Lisbon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lisbon is in Europe and Toronto is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Toronto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Toronto 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 Toronto Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Toronto?

Toronto has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Lisbon. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon and Toronto, 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 Toronto?

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 Toronto in the Summer?

Both Toronto 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. Also, most visitors come to Toronto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Lisbon is around the same temperature as Toronto. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lisbon in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Toronto averages at about 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Toronto. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during summer. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 281 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Toronto. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Lisbon or Toronto in the Autumn?

Both Toronto 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. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Toronto because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Lisbon is generally much warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 19°C (66°F), and Toronto fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

It's quite sunny in Lisbon. In the autumn, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Toronto. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 153 hours of full sun.

Lisbon usually gets more rain in October than Toronto. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lisbon or Toronto in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Toronto. The winter months attract visitors to Lisbon because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Toronto this time of year.

It's quite cold in Toronto in the winter. Lisbon is much warmer than Toronto in the winter. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Toronto fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during winter. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 87 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 Toronto. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lisbon or Toronto in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Toronto. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Toronto for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Lisbon is much warmer than Toronto. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lisbon in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Toronto averages at about 7°C (44°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lisbon this time of the year. In the spring, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Toronto. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 179 hours of full sun.

Lisbon usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Toronto. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Toronto and Lisbon