A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Portimao vs. Lyon for Food, Families, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Portimao or Lyon?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Portimao and Lyon. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Portimao

Portimao is a adventure-filled, vibrant, and colorful coastal city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the nightlife, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Lyon

Lyon is a beautiful, cultural, and quaint city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. You'll find world class beauty here as well. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Portimao and Lyon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Portimao or Lyon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lyon. Although Portimao and Lyon are both popular with visitors, Lyon has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Lyon is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Portimao is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Portimao is more touristy than Lyon and is known for it's dramatic and beautiful beaches and its many activities. Lyon is popular for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town. It is also home to The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière.

How is Portimao different from Lyon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Portimao or Lyon?

Lyon is renowned for its sights and museums. However, Portimao does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Lyon on the map. There are many world class museums and historic landmarks in the city including Musée des Beaux Arts, Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine, and Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière.

Portimao does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Portimao or Lyon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lyon is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Portimao is not a good coastal city for its restaurants.

Eat your way through Lyon, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Known as "the Gastronomic Capital of the World" this city stands above the rest when it comes to Michelin star restaurants (there are 17!), fresh ingredients, and unique local flavors. Favorite local dishes include pâté en croûte, rosette de Lyon, and saucisson brioché.

Portimao offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Many resorts have attached restaurants where visitors often find themselves dining. For a slightly more local vibe, you can check out one of the many restaurants around town. Much of the restaurant scene is centered around the Alvor District where you'll find unique options that serve local dishes mixed in with some international choices. The city is most famous for its grilled sardines, which are considered a local specialty.

Is Portimao or Lyon Better for Nightlife?

Both Portimao and Lyon are great when it comes to partying.

Portimao offers plenty to do in the evening. The city's nightlife scene is mostly found around Praia da Rocha. It's a compact area that makes it easy to hop from bar to bar on foot. Particularly during the summer months you'll find plenty of parties and all night activities that draw a crowd. Sunset boat parties are also a popular activity in the area.

Lyon has a large number of nightlife venues. The city has enough diverse neighborhoods that you'll find a scene that is great for everyone. There are dance clubs, cocktail bars, and wine bars that meet every personality and style.

Is Portimao or Lyon Better for Resorts?

Portimao is an amazing coastal city to visit for its resorts. However, Lyon is not a resort destination.

Portimao offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The area has all types of resorts, from all-inclusive options to luxury or more family-friendly. Many of the resorts are surprisingly affordable and offer easy access to the beach.

Lyon is not a resort destination.

Is Portimao or Lyon Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Portimao is a well-known place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Lyon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Portimao to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. The best water conditions are during the summer months but this is also when the beaches are crowded and swimmers can kick up a lot of sand. There are a variety of vendors where you can book snorkeling or diving trips in the area.

Lyon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Portimao or Lyon Better for Beaches?

Portimao is an amazing coastal city to visit for the beache. However, Lyon is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Portimao are among the best in the world. The stunning beaches are a major draw to the area. They are sandy and feature a backdrop of dramatic red cliffs. The most popular beach in town is Praia da Rocha, which can get crowded during the summer months, but it is quite large so you should still be able to find a spot. The strip behind the beach is lined with shops, bars, restaurants, and a casino. If you want to avoid some of the crowds you can make the walk down to Praia do Vau. Families often enjoy Praia de Alvor, which has a boardwalk that leads to Ria de Alvor nature reserve.

Lyon is not a beach destination.

Is Portimao or Lyon Better for its Old Town?

Lyon is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Portimao does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Lyon is one of the most recognized in the world. This impressive old town climbs from the river into Fourvière Hill. It's a Renaissance era district with beautiful buildings and plenty of character. You can spend days wandering the quaint streets and popping in the world class restaurants.

Portimao does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Portimao or Lyon?

Lyon is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Portimao is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Lyon. The city has many trendy markets, pedestrian shopping areas, and character-filled boutiques. From the charming shops in old town to the chic shopping streets, there are plenty of places to splurge around town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Portimao. It's the second largest city in the Algarve so you'll find several large and modern shopping centers including Aqua Portimão.

Is Portimao or Lyon Better for Families?

Portimao is an amazing coastal city to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Portimao is an amazing family-friendly coastal city to visit. Kids will love the wide range of activities available near Portimao. They can kayak through caves, see an underwater world snorkeling, learn to surf, visit waterparks, explore nature parks, and more. There are activities that the whole family can enjoy, making this stretch of coastline the perfect option for those traveling with kids.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Lyon. The city has many kid-friendly museums including Musée des Confluences and the Cinema and Miniature Museum. There are also playgrounds, patisseries, and river cruises that you can enjoy as a family. Puppet shows are also fun, but do note that they're usually in French. While the restaurants are amazing for adults, it can be tricky to find a kid-friendly option with early opening hours that are convenient for little ones.

Is Portimao or Lyon Better for Couples?

Portimao is an amazing coastal city to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Portimao has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This beautiful stretch of coastline offers unique beaches and stunning outdoor activities. It makes a wonderful honeymoon destination for couples who enjoy adventure, pampering, and romantic resorts. There are great restaurants as well as places to relax or activities for thrill seekers.

Lyon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can enjoy wandering the beautiful Old Town, taking a river cruise, and dining on some of the best food in France.

Is Portimao or Lyon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lyon is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Portimao is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Lyon is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. The city has several hostels and a number of activities that are fun for budget travelers and backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Portimao. Most people think of high end resorts when they think of the Mediterranean coast, but there are a couple of hostels available for backpackers. You should also consider transportation options. While buses are available, many visitors prefer to have access to a car so they can experience the outlying regions. The good news is the area in general is not particularly expensive so you can enjoy a touch of luxury at a lower cost.

Is Portimao or Lyon Better for Students?

Lyon is renowned for students. However, Portimao is not popular with students.

Lyon is a very popular place to visit for students. It is a very livable city with many fun cultural activities for students. There are many different entertainment options during the day, and during the evening there are plenty of places to hang out.

Portimao is not popular with students.

Is Portimao or Lyon Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Lyon is renowned for its public transit. However, Portimao is not a good coastal city for times when you don't have a car.

Lyon has a great public transit system. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Portimao. There are local buses around town but many routes don't run on weekends.

Is Portimao or Lyon a more walkable city?

Lyon is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Portimao is not a good coastal city for its walkability.

Lyon is a very walkable destination. The old town is particularly walkable, but the hills can make things a bit challenging. There are also a number of pedestrian streets around town.

Portimao is generally not a very walkable coastal city. While there are some nice walks along the coastline, the city is fairly large and spread out with many resorts located far from the center of town.

For even more information, also check out Is Portimao Worth Visiting? and Is Lyon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lyon or Portimao?

How long in Portimao or Lyon?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lyon than Portimao 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 Lyon.

One day in Portimao or Lyon?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Portimao. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Lyon is a big city with plenty to do. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Portimao or Lyon?

Portimao is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the beaches. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Lyon is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Lyon, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Portimao or Lyon?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the dramatic destination of Portimao. This coastal city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Lyon is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Lyon, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Portimao or Lyon?

The active coastal city of Portimao offers shopping and nightlife. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Lyon is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Portugal, The Best Bicycle Tours in Portugal, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Portimao or Lyon?

Lyon has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Portimao. When comparing the sizes of Portimao and Lyon, 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 Portimao or Lyon?

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 Portimao or Lyon in the Summer?

Both Lyon and Portimao are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Portimao in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Lyon for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Portimao is generally a little warmer than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Portimao average around 25°C (78°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In July, Portimao usually receives less rain than Lyon. Portimao gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Portimao or Lyon in the Autumn?

Both Lyon and Portimao during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Portimao for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Lyon because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Portimao is a little warmer than Lyon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Portimao averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Lyon fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

Portimao usually gets less rain in October than Lyon. Portimao gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Portimao or Lyon in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Lyon in the winter. In the winter, Portimao is much warmer than Lyon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Portimao in January average around 11°C (52°F), and Lyon averages at about 4°C (39°F).

In January, Portimao usually receives more rain than Lyon. Portimao gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Portimao or Lyon in the Spring?

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

In April, Portimao is generally a little warmer than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Portimao average around 15°C (60°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Portimao usually gets less rain in April than Lyon. Portimao gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lyon and Portimao