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

Should you visit Lisbon or Zurich?

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

Should I visit Lisbon or Zurich? 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. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Zurich

Zurich is a historic, liberal, and beautiful city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Lisbon and Zurich: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lisbon or Zurich?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Lisbon than Zurich, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Lisbon is popular for its hilltop vistos, beautiful old town, and lively Fado music. It is also home to Castelo de São Jorge. Zurich is popular for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices.

How is Lisbon different from Zurich?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lisbon is a must-visit destination for its sights and museums. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Lisbon are among the most recognizable in the world. World renowned landmarks include St. George's Castle, Jerónimos monastery, the Belém Tower, Santa Justa Lift, and countless world class museums.

Zurich offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Make sure you check out the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fraumünster, as well as the Swiss National Museum.

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

Lisbon is a must-visit destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its 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.

Zurich has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Many restaurants have a strong German influence, but you'll also find traditional Swiss dishes such as cheese and chocolate fondue. There are also several Michelin star restaurants in town.

Is Lisbon or Zurich Better for Nightlife?

Lisbon is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Lisbon is a world class 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.

Zurich has a large number of nightlife venues. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland. There are a high concentration of bars and clubs around town, or you could check out one of the badis, which are pools that also act as bars during the summer months. They're usually located by the lake.

Is Lisbon or Zurich Better for Music?

Lisbon is a must-visit destination for its live music scene. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its music scene.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone 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.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Zurich while you're in town. There are many nightclubs that offer a variety of music types including electronic music, rock, and even reggae.

Is Lisbon or Zurich Better for Beaches?

Lisbon is a good destination for the beache. However, Zurich 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.

Zurich is not a beach destination.

Is Lisbon or Zurich Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the amazing old towns in both Lisbon and Zurich.

With a famous historical old-town, Lisbon offers plenty to see. 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.

The rich history of Zurich can be explored in its historical center. The city has an old town that is split into two parts on each side of the Limmat River. The historic districts are filled with churches, squares, and charming areas that are fun to explore. Walking tours are the best way to explore the old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Lisbon or Zurich?

Shoppers can find a variety of amazing stores in both Lisbon and Zurich.

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.

Zurich is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Visitors often buy chocolate, watches, and jewelry in this city. You'll find brand names and luxury items that are of high quality. Each neighborhood has its own character with stores ranging from traditional to international.

Is Lisbon or Zurich Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Lisbon or Zurich.

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.

Zurich is a very family-friendly place to visit. It's a surprisingly mellow city with a relaxing vibe that makes it easy to explore with kids. Popular family-friendly activities include swimming in the Limmat River, sailing on Lake Zurich, and visiting Josefwiese park, which has a large playground.

Is Lisbon or Zurich Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Lisbon and Zurich 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 Zurich frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. One of the most romantic experiences you can have in town is visiting the Zurich Thermal Baths and Spa. There's an outdoor rooftop thermal pool as well as many ways that you can pamper yourselves.

Is Lisbon or Zurich Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lisbon is a must-visit destination for backpackers. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Zurich. The city has a number of hostels to choose from, but, like most of Switzerland, the city is expensive in general.

Is Lisbon or Zurich Better for Students?

Zurich 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 Zurich. The city offers a number of unique experiences for international students. The academics are good and the university campuses are nice.

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

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

Lisbon is a must-visit destination for its public transit. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Lisbon has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The metro has four lines that go around the city. There are also trams, buses, and the funiculars.

The public transit in Zurich can get you to most places easily. The system is made up of streetcars and buses.

Is Lisbon or Zurich a more walkable city?

Lisbon is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

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.

Zurich is a very walkable destination. There are paths that lead along the rivers and the lake connecting the old town areas to other parts of the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Zurich or Lisbon?

How long in Lisbon or Zurich?

In either Lisbon or Zurich, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Lisbon than Zurich because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Lisbon, and 2-5 days is enough time in Zurich.

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

Lisbon is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Zurich. 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 Zurich?

Lisbon 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.

Zurich is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the shopping, 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 Zurich?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lisbon. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Zurich. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Zurich?

Lisbon is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the historic destination of Zurich. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lisbon and Zurich, we can see that Zurich 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich 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 Zurich Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Zurich?

Lisbon has a larger population, and is about 52% larger than the population of Zurich. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon and Zurich, 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 Zurich?

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 Zurich in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Zurich. Most visitors come to Lisbon for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Zurich because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Lisbon is generally around the same temperature as Zurich. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 23°C (73°F), and Zurich fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zurich. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lisbon this time of the year. In the summer, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Zurich. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 241 hours of full sun.

Lisbon usually gets less rain in July than Zurich. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lisbon or Zurich in the Autumn?

Both Zurich and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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. Also, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Zurich this time of year.

Lisbon is a little warmer than Zurich in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Zurich fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Zurich during autumn. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lisbon usually receives more rain than Zurich. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lisbon or Zurich in the Winter?

Both Zurich and Lisbon during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Zurich for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Zurich. In the winter, Lisbon is much warmer than Zurich. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lisbon in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Zurich averages at about 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Zurich. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 55 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually gets more rain in January than Zurich. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lisbon or Zurich in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Zurich. Many travelers come to Lisbon for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Zurich in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Lisbon is generally a little warmer than Zurich. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 16°C (60°F), and Zurich fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Zurich during spring. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Zurich. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Zurich and Lisbon