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

Should you visit Porto or Barcelona?

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 Porto and Barcelona can help you decide which place is right for you.

Porto

Porto is a historic, cultural, and cosmopolitan 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. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Barcelona

Barcelona is a colorful, laid-back, and historic city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Porto and Barcelona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Porto or Barcelona?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Barcelona than Porto, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Barcelona is more popular for its nightlife, music, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Porto is known for its food. Barcelona is more touristy than Porto and is popular for its landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí, its wild nightlife, and its urban beaches. It is also home to Basilica Sagrada Familia. Porto is popular for its authentic old town and the local port wine.

How is Porto different from Barcelona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the superb sights and museums in either Porto or Barcelona.

Many visitors head to Porto specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Barcelona can be an interesting and educational experience. Architecture and history all contribute to the city's impressive sights and museums. Famous landmarks include the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, Casa Milà, and the Palace of Catalan Music. In addition to Casa Milà, there are several other landmarks that are designed by Gaudi. You can expect a crowd outside any of his creations.

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

Porto is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Many restaurants in Porto have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.

Barcelona has a huge number of terrific restaurants. With easy access to fresh produce, there are many food markets around town. You'll also find great fresh local dishes at the many restaurants. While some restaurants are more touristy, particularly along Las Ramblas, there are also many local options that offer higher quality dishes. Make sure you try the paella, croquettes, and jamon iberico. Many visitors enjoy taking a cooking class while they're in town as well.

Is Porto or Barcelona Better for Nightlife?

Barcelona is very popular for nightlife. Also, Porto is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for nightlife and partying.

Barcelona is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The city offers an amazing nightlife at a much more affordable price than many places in Europe. There are beach parties, boat parties, and bars that stay packed late into the night. The city also hosts many street fiestas and music festivals.

Porto offers plenty to do in the evening. 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 Porto or Barcelona Better for Music?

Barcelona is very popular for live music. However, Porto is not a live music destination.

Barcelona is known as a music capital around the world. Popular music venues include Tablao de Carmen, Razzmatazz, and Jamboree.

Porto is not a live music destination.

Is Porto or Barcelona Better for Beaches?

Barcelona is very good for its beaches. However, Porto is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Barcelona to enjoy the beach. The city features long sandy beaches where you can soak up the Mediterranean sun right in the heart of town. Many of the beaches can get crowded during the warmer months, but if you're looking for a party, then this is the place. These are urban beaches, so don't expect the pristine coastal setting that you might find in a more remote areas. Popular beaches include Bogatell Beach, Barceloneta Beach, and Nova Icària.

Porto is not a beach destination.

Is Porto or Barcelona Better for its Old Town?

Porto and Barcelona are both popular destinations with charming historical areas.

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.

Many visitors go to Barcelona to see the historical old town. Dating back 2,000 years the Gothic Quarter remains a hub of life and activity. It's fun to explore the wandering streets or people watch in one of the plazas. There are also many fascinating boutique shops and restaurants. Many people consider the Gothic Quarter to be one of the best parts of Barcelona.

Is the Shopping Better in Porto or Barcelona?

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

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Barcelona. Head to Portal De L'Angel, Rambla de Catalunya, or Passeig De Gracia for some of the city's best shopping districts.

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

Is Porto or Barcelona Better for Families?

Porto is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Porto is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Barcelona is a family-friendly port city. The city has a bit of a party vibe, but there are also kid-friendly activities everyone. With a number of museums, an aquarium, and lots of parks, the whole family can stay entertained. There's also a playground with a great view right by Sagrada Familia. Also make sure you check out the Magic Fountain Show near Plaça d'Espanya, wander through the aquarium, or sample some chocolate at the Chocolate Museum.

Is Porto or Barcelona Better for Couples?

Porto is a well-known place for romance. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Barcelona makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's an active city with a party atmosphere, so young couples will enjoy their time here. Couples can take a sunset cruise or enjoy a Flamenco show. There are also many great viewpoints around town.

Is Porto or Barcelona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Porto and Barcelona are amazing places to visit.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Barcelona. There are many hostels around town, each with its own personality. Many of the hostels also organize activities or dinners for guests so it's easy to meet other travelers. Backpackers will also appreciate the young vibe and late night party venues that keep the city fun and entertaining.

Is Porto or Barcelona Better for Students?

Barcelona is very popular for its student-friendly activities. Also, Porto is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Barcelona. This is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find international students from around the world. It's a beautiful city with plenty to see and do. It's also a lively city, but do expect the price tag to be higher than other Spanish cities.

Porto is a great port 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 Porto or Barcelona Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Porto and Barcelona both offer superb public transit to get you around.

Public transit in Porto is fairly effecient and thorough. 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.

Barcelona has some very good public transit options. There's a metro, bus, and tram system that navigates the city. It's a huge city, and while many places are accessible by public transit, sometimes the trip can be hot and frustrating.

Is Porto or Barcelona a more walkable city?

Porto is a well-known place for its walkability. However, Barcelona is not a good 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.

Barcelona is generally not a very walkable port city. The city is more spread out than many other major European cities and you'll find wide roads with lots of car traffic. There are some neighborhoods and plazas that are fun to explore on foot and the city has designed "superilles," which are areas where car traffic has been directed around pedestrian-friendly plazas so visitors can explore, relax, or play.

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

Should I spend more time in Barcelona or Porto?

How long in Porto or Barcelona?

Both Porto and Barcelona have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Barcelona than in Porto. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Porto, and 3-7 days is enough time in Barcelona.

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

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

One day in Porto or Barcelona?

People visit Porto because there is so much to do. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Barcelona, many people enjoy the live music and food that this historic big city offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

A weekend in Porto or Barcelona?

People visit Porto because there is so much to do. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Barcelona. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Porto or Barcelona?

People visit Porto because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this port city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer.

Barcelona is a fun place to experience. In Barcelona, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this big city destination offers. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Porto or Barcelona?

Porto is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Barcelona, many people enjoy the museums and nightlife that this cultural big city offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal, The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Porto or Barcelona?

Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Porto. When comparing the sizes of Porto and Barcelona, 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 Porto or Barcelona?

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 Porto or Barcelona in the Summer?

Both Barcelona and Porto during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Porto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Barcelona in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Porto is cooler than Barcelona in the summer. The daily temperature in Porto averages around 21°C (69°F) in July, and Barcelona fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Barcelona, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Porto. In the summer, Porto often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Barcelona. Porto gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 308 hours of full sun.

Porto usually gets less rain in July than Barcelona. Porto gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Porto or Barcelona in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Porto and Barcelona. Many visitors come to Porto in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Barcelona for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Porto is around the same temperature as Barcelona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Porto in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Barcelona averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Porto usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Barcelona during autumn. Porto gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Porto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Porto usually receives more rain than Barcelona. Porto gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Porto or Barcelona in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Porto as well as Barcelona. Most visitors come to Porto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Porto is generally a little warmer than Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Porto average around 10°C (50°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Porto often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Porto gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 146 hours of full sun.

Porto receives a lot of rain in the winter. Porto usually gets more rain in January than Barcelona. Porto gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Porto or Barcelona in the Spring?

Both Barcelona and Porto are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Porto because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Barcelona this time of year.

Porto is around the same temperature as Barcelona in the spring. The daily temperature in Porto averages around 14°C (56°F) in April, and Barcelona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Barcelona. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Porto. Porto usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Barcelona during spring. Porto gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Porto. In April, Porto usually receives more rain than Barcelona. Porto gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Barcelona and Porto