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

Should you visit Lisbon or Villach?

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

Should I visit Lisbon or Villach? 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 colorful, vibrant, and stunning city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. You'll find world class beauty in Lisbon as well. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping. See Lisbon travel costs.

Villach

Villach is a nature-filled, outdoorsy, and historic town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. With stunning beauty, Villach attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and hiking. See Villach travel costs.

Lisbon and Villach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lisbon or Villach?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lisbon than Villach. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Lisbon is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, music, beaches, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Villach attracts visitors for its hiking and small town charm. Lisbon is more touristy than Villach and is popular for its hilltop vistos, beautiful old town, and lively Fado music. It is also well known for Castelo de São Jorge. Villach is famous for its many alpine hikes, nearby lakes, and its quaint main square.

How is Lisbon different from Villach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lisbon is terrific for its sights and museums. Also, Villach is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Villach is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several historical buildings in town such as the Parish Church of St. Jakob, the Holy Cross Church, and the Parish Church of St. Martin. Also worth a visit is the Museum of the City of Villach.

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

Lisbon is terrific for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Villach is a mediocre town for its restaurants.

For foodies, Lisbon is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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.

Villach offers some easy restaurants to choose from. You'll find the standard options of pizza and burgers around town. While the food scene isn't particularly special, the quality is decent and reliable.

Is Lisbon or Villach Better for Nightlife?

Lisbon is terrific for its evening party scene. Also, Villach is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for nightlife.

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Villach. The weekends are when you'll find the best nightlife. There are some local bars and clubs that come to life and attract a young crowd on a weekend night.

Is Lisbon or Villach Better for Music?

Lisbon is terrific for its music scene. However, Villach 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.

Villach is not a live music destination.

Is Lisbon or Villach Better for Beaches?

Lisbon is a popular place for the beach. However, Villach is not a beach destination.

Lisbon is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Villach is not a beach destination.

Is Lisbon or Villach Better for its Old Town?

Lisbon is terrific for its historic old town charm. Also, Villach is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its 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.

Villach is a good destination for visiting its old town. You'll find churches and gardens throughout the charming old town. At the heart of the town is the main square.

Is Lisbon or Villach Better for Hiking?

Villach is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Lisbon is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Villach. The surrounding countryside is filled with both short and long hikes. You can take a short stroll or spend hours (or days) exploring the alpine scenery. Breathtaking views and peaceful retreats make this a wonderful area for hiking.

Lisbon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Lisbon or Villach?

Lisbon is terrific for its shopping areas. However, Villach is a mediocre town 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.

Villach is a good destination for shopping. There are your standard shopping centers where you can pick up clothes or anything you may have forgotten for your trip.

Is Lisbon or Villach More Beautiful?

Lisbon is terrific for its scenery and beauty. Also, Villach is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its scenery and beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Lisbon as well. 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.

Villach is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The lakes, mountains, and beautiful natural scenery make this town a truly special place to visit.

Is Lisbon or Villach Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Lisbon or Villach.

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.

Villach is a very family-friendly place to visit. The area is filled with outdoor adventures that the whole family will enjoy. There's kid-friendly hiking, adventure parks, nature parks, and some swimming areas.

Is Lisbon or Villach Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Lisbon and Villach make for a high quality 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 Villach frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples who enjoy outdoor adventures, beautiful hikes, and stunning scenery will appreciate a visit to this area.

Is Lisbon or Villach Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lisbon is terrific for backpackers. Also, Villach is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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.

Villach is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a number of hostels in the area that cater to backpackers who enjoy the outdoor setting and beautiful hikes that are nearby.

Is Lisbon or Villach Better for Students?

Lisbon is notable for students. However, Villach is not popular with students.

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

Villach is not popular with students.

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

Lisbon is terrific for its public transit. However, Villach is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Villach. There are buses and trains in the area, but to experience the nearby nature you'll want to have a car.

Is Lisbon or Villach a more walkable city?

Lisbon is terrific for its ease of walking around. However, Villach is a mediocre town for its walkability.

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

Villach is generally not a very walkable city. Parts of the town are walkable but the surrounding natural areas are most easily accessed with a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Villach or Lisbon?

How long in Lisbon or Villach?

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

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

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 destination of Villach. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Lisbon or Villach?

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.

Villach 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 Villach?

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 Villach. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Villach?

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 museums when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Villach. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 from Vienna, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Salzburg.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Villach?

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

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 Villach in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Villach. The summer months attract visitors to Lisbon because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Villach this time of year.

Lisbon is around the same temperature as Villach in the summer. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Villach fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Villach. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lisbon this time of the year. In the summer, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Villach. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Villach receives 288 hours of full sun.

Lisbon usually gets less rain in July than Villach. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Villach receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lisbon or Villach in the Autumn?

Both Villach and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Villach for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Lisbon is a little warmer than Villach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lisbon in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Villach averages at about 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Villach during autumn. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Villach receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Villach. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Villach receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lisbon or Villach in the Winter?

Both Villach and Lisbon during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Lisbon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Villach in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Lisbon is generally much warmer than Villach. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 12°C (53°F), and Villach fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Villach. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Villach receives 96 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually gets more rain in January than Villach. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Villach receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lisbon or Villach in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Villach. Many visitors come to Lisbon in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Villach for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

Lisbon is a little warmer than Villach in the spring. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Villach fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Villach during spring. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Villach receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Villach. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Villach receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Villach and Lisbon