A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Manchester vs. Porto for Food, Backpackers, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Manchester or Porto?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Manchester and Porto can help you decide which place is right for you.

Manchester

Manchester is a vibrant, dynamic, and diverse city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Porto

Porto is a dynamic, historic, and cultural port city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Manchester and Porto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or Porto?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Porto than Manchester. While Manchester is larger than Porto, Porto has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Porto is more popular for its food, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Manchester is known for its music and shopping. Porto is more touristy than Manchester and is known for its authentic old town and the local port wine. It is also home to Cais da Ribeira. Manchester is popular for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club.

How is Manchester different from Porto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Porto and Manchester. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Manchester or Porto?

Spend time exploring the very good sights and museums in either Manchester or Porto.

Many visitors head to Manchester specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Porto can be an interesting and educational experience. With such a long history, there are many landmarks and sights in the city. Popular attractions include the Clérigos Tower, Palácio da Bolsa, and Igreja de São Francisco.

Is the Food Better in Manchester or Porto? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Porto is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Porto has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The area's cuisine combines the ocean setting with the agriculture of the surrounding area, so you'll enjoy both seafood dishes as well as fresh meats and vegetables. The area is also famous for its Port wines and red wines. There are plenty of cellar tours as well was waterfront seafood restaurants to choose from.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Manchester. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

Is Manchester or Porto Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is very good in both Manchester and Porto.

Many people head to Manchester for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

Porto has plenty to do after the sun goes down. This city comes to life in the evening, particularly on weekends when locals and tourists alike flock to the many bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.

Is Manchester or Porto Better for Music?

Manchester is a great city for live music. However, Porto is not a live music destination.

Manchester has a thriving music scene. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Porto is not a live music destination.

Is Manchester or Porto Better for its Old Town?

Porto is great for its historic old town. However, Manchester does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Porto. Known as Porto Ribeira, the city's historic district is the most visited part of the town. It begins on the banks of the River Douro and climbs into the hills behind it.

Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Porto?

Manchester is a great city for shopping. Also, Porto is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Manchester. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

Porto offers some nice shopping areas. The city has both your standard shopping mall stores as well as local vendors and boutique shops.

Is Manchester or Porto Better for Families?

You'll find very good kid-friendly activities in either Manchester or Porto.

Manchester is a very family-friendly destination. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United Museum.

Porto is a very kid-friendly city. The city has several cool museums including the interactive museum - The World of Discoveries. There are also parks, playgrounds, zoos, and aquariums that you can explore. For families that enjoy being outside, this is a great city. Kids will enjoy spotting street art, riding the funicular, and taking a cellar tour. If the kids need a break from the city, head to the beach for the day.

Is Manchester or Porto Better for Couples?

Both Manchester and Porto are very good destinations to visit as a couple.

Manchester is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

Porto is a very popular place to visit for couples. You can visit the palaces, enjoy shopping, or dine in a nice Portuguese restaurant. Take a cellar tour and sample port then catch a ride on the funicular. This city has plenty for couples to do on a romantic getaway.

Is Manchester or Porto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Porto is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Porto. By combining world-class activities with affordability, this city has become a popular stop off for backpackers in the area.

It's common for backpackers to visit Manchester. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

Is Manchester or Porto Better for Students?

For students, both Manchester and Porto are very good places to visit.

Manchester is very popular with students. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

Porto is a great city to visit as a student. The city has a number of good research programs and study abroad opportunities that attract international students from around the world.

Is Manchester or Porto Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Manchester and Porto both offer very good public transit to get you around.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Manchester. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

Public transit in Porto can get you to some places easily. There is a metro system as well as a bus system. While the metro system does have six lines, most stations aren't close to the tourist attractions, so it likely won't be that helpful to visitors.

Is Manchester or Porto a more walkable city?

Porto is great for its walkability. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

Porto is very walkable. The city center is very compact with most of the sights within a short walk of each other. The area is also very hilly, so getting from place to place can require a bit of effort.

Manchester is a somewhat walkable place. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Manchester Worth Visiting? and Is Porto Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Porto or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or Porto?

In either Manchester or Porto, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Porto than Manchester because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Manchester, and 2-5 days is enough time in Porto.

Families should spend more time in Porto than Manchester. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Porto, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Porto than Manchester. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Porto that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Porto than Manchester 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 Porto.

One day in Manchester or Porto?

Each neighborhood in Manchester has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

With museums and nightlife around the dynamic port city of Porto, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Manchester or Porto?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Manchester. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

With nightlife and food around the big city destination of Porto, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this port city.

Five days in Manchester or Porto?

Manchester is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the big city destination of Manchester. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Porto, a popular port city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this port city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Manchester or Porto?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural big city of Manchester. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Porto is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manchester and Porto, we can see that Manchester is more expensive. And not only is Porto much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Porto would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Porto 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 Manchester would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manchester than you might in Porto.

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

Which is Bigger, Manchester or Porto?

Manchester has a larger population, and is about 58% larger than the population of Porto. When comparing the sizes of Manchester and Porto, 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 Manchester or Porto?

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 Manchester or Porto in the Summer?

Both Porto and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Manchester because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Porto this time of year.

Manchester is cooler than Porto in the summer. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 16°C (62°F) in July, and Porto fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

It's quite sunny in Porto. Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Porto during summer. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Porto receives 308 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Manchester usually receives more rain than Porto. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Porto receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Manchester or Porto in the Autumn?

Both Porto and Manchester during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Manchester this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Porto for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Manchester is much colder than Porto. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Manchester in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Porto averages at about 17°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Porto. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Porto receives 184 hours of full sun.

Porto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Manchester usually gets less rain in October than Porto. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Porto receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Porto in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Porto. Many travelers come to Manchester for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Porto in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Manchester. In January, Manchester is generally much colder than Porto. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 4°C (39°F), and Porto fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Porto during winter. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies, while Porto receives 124 hours of full sun in the winter.

Porto receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Manchester usually receives less rain than Porto. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Porto receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Manchester or Porto in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Porto. Many visitors come to Manchester in the spring for the activities around the city. Additionally, most visitors come to Porto for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

Manchester is much colder than Porto in the spring. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Porto fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Porto. In the spring, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Porto. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Porto receives 217 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Porto. Manchester usually gets less rain in April than Porto. Manchester gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Porto receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Porto and Manchester