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

Should you visit Nagano or Lisbon?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nagano and Lisbon can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Nagano

Nagano is a scenic, historic, and traditional 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 museums, skiing, and nightlife.

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.

Nagano and Lisbon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nagano or Lisbon?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Lisbon than Nagano, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Lisbon is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, music, beaches, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Nagano is known for its skiing, resorts, and hiking. Nagano is popular for its historic temples, beautiful mountain setting, and being the host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. 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 Nagano different from Lisbon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Nagano or Lisbon Better for Skiing?

Nagano is a very popular place for skiing and snowboarding. However, Lisbon is not a skiing destination.

Nagano draws a large crowd in the winter for its impressive snow skiing opportunities. The city hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and many of the skiing events were held at ski resorts in the area. In the Nagano Prefecture you'll find several ski resorts with some of the most popular being the Hakuba ski areas, Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen, and Myoko Kogen.

Lisbon is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nagano or Lisbon?

Lisbon is terrific for its historical sights. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Nagano. The area is filled with history and there are many places to explore. Matsumoto Castle, the Matsumoto City Museum of Art, Zenko-ji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine are just some of the highlights.

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

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

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.

Dining out in Nagano is an experience not to be missed. You'll find many of Japan's culinary favorites here like ramen, udon, sushi, and sashimi. There are also regional dishes and some comfort food like Tonkatsu and Oyaki Dumplings.

Is Nagano or Lisbon Better for Nightlife?

Lisbon is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Nagano 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.

Nagano offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife scene is varied, from local and intimate venues, to wild and crazy clubs. You'll find all styles and activities such that whatever you're looking for, the city likely won't disappoint.

Is Nagano or Lisbon Better for Music?

Lisbon is terrific for its live music scene. However, Nagano 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.

Nagano is not a live music destination.

Is Nagano or Lisbon Better for Resorts?

Nagano is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Lisbon is not a resort destination.

Nagano has a few great resort options. You'll find wonderful mountain resorts throughout the entire prefecture.

Lisbon is not a resort destination.

Is Nagano or Lisbon Better for Beaches?

Lisbon is a city with good options for the beache. However, Nagano 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.

Nagano is not a beach destination.

Is Nagano or Lisbon Better for its Old Town?

Lisbon is terrific for its old town. Also, Nagano 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.

Nagano offers a nice historic old town area. Throughout the prefecture there is a lot of history and charming towns. If you're willing to get out of Nagano City, you can enjoy an area filled with tradition and culture. In particular, Tsumago-juku was the first preserved old town in Japan.

Is Nagano or Lisbon Better for Hiking?

Nagano 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 Nagano. The surrounding area is filled with stunning scenery, natural beauty, and beautiful hikes. You'll find shrines and temples, historic villages, nice views, and peaceful walks throughout the region. One of the most unique walks is along the highest road in Japan, the Norikura Echo Line. The route is at 8,800 feet and is lined with ten meter high snow walls. It's open from from late April to the end of June every year.

Lisbon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nagano or Lisbon?

Lisbon is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Nagano 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.

Many visitors go to Nagano to go shopping. There are a number of shopping streets that are fun to explore including the historic street of Naka-mise. This street is lined with tea shops, cafes, traditional stores, and more. While there aren't a huge number of shopping centers around town, Midori Nagano is one of the biggest.

Is Nagano or Lisbon Better for Families?

Both Nagano and Lisbon are excellent to visit with kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Nagano is very family-friendly. Chibikko Ninja Village is a great place for kids with climbing walls, indoor playgrounds, and more. There are also a number of sports facilities around town, and you can keep the sport theme going with a visit to the Nagano Olympic Museum. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to the Nagano Chausuyama Zoo and for little kids, the Nagano City Joyama Zoo is nice.

Lisbon is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Nagano or Lisbon Better for Couples?

Lisbon is a great city for its romantic activities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

Lisbon is a great city if you're traveling as 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.

Nagano is a good city for couples to visit. The city has a lot of history and beauty, making it a romantic destination for couples. There are also outdoor activities as well as a number of sports that you can enjoy.

Is Nagano or Lisbon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lisbon is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Nagano 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Nagano. There are several good hostels in the area, as well as some great activities for young travelers, backpackers, and sports enthusiasts.

Is Nagano or Lisbon Better for Students?

Lisbon is a great city for its student-friendly activities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Lisbon. It's a lively city with a lot to see and do for international students.

Nagano is a good city to visit for students. It's relative affordability combined with its close proximity to Tokyo and laid back populations make this a nice place to study.

Is Nagano or Lisbon 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, Nagano 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.

Nagano has a few public transit options. The main station in town is Nagano Station. There's a bus and train system through the area, including buses that run to Zenkoji Temple. There's also a bus that goes to the Togakushi area and takes about an hour. However, renting a car will give you more freedom and efficiency. .

Is Nagano or Lisbon a more walkable city?

Lisbon is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Nagano 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.

Nagano is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the city are walkable and there are hiking trails around the Togakushi area, where you'll find many shrines and other attractions.

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

Should I spend more time in Lisbon or Nagano?

How long in Nagano or Lisbon?

Both Nagano and Lisbon have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Lisbon than in Nagano. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Nagano, and 3-7 days is enough time in Lisbon.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lisbon than Nagano 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 Nagano or Lisbon?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Nagano. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

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.

A weekend in Nagano or Lisbon?

Nagano 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.

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.

Five days in Nagano or Lisbon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nagano. 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.

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.

A week in Nagano or Lisbon?

Travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the alpine destination of Nagano. This city 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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Nagano or Lisbon?

Lisbon has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of Nagano. When comparing the sizes of Nagano and Lisbon, 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 Nagano or Lisbon?

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 Nagano or Lisbon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagano and Lisbon. Many travelers come to Nagano for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Lisbon in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Nagano is around the same temperature as Lisbon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nagano in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Lisbon averages at about 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lisbon this time of the year. Nagano usually receives less sunshine than Lisbon during summer. Nagano gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Lisbon receives 352 hours of full sun in the summer.

Nagano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Nagano usually receives more rain than Lisbon. Nagano gets 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nagano or Lisbon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nagano as well as Lisbon. Many visitors come to Nagano in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, 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.

In October, Nagano is generally cooler than Lisbon. Daily temperatures in Nagano average around 16°C (60°F), and Lisbon fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. In the autumn, Nagano often gets less sunshine than Lisbon. Nagano gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lisbon receives 213 hours of full sun.

Nagano receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nagano usually gets more rain in October than Lisbon. Nagano gets 227 mm (9 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nagano or Lisbon in the Winter?

Both Lisbon and Nagano are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Nagano for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Lisbon because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Nagano can be very cold during winter. Nagano is much colder than Lisbon in the winter. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Lisbon fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nagano. Nagano usually receives more sunshine than Lisbon during winter. Nagano gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Lisbon receives 144 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. It's quite rainy in Nagano. In January, Nagano usually receives more rain than Lisbon. Nagano gets 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nagano or Lisbon in the Spring?

Both Lisbon and Nagano during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Nagano because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year.

In the spring, Nagano is cooler than Lisbon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nagano in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Lisbon averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Nagano often gets less sunshine than Lisbon. Nagano gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lisbon receives 235 hours of full sun.

Nagano usually gets more rain in April than Lisbon. Nagano gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lisbon and Nagano