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

Should you visit Porto or Cannes?

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 Cannes can help you decide which place is right for you.

Porto

Porto is a historic, cultural, and cosmopolitan port city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Cannes

Cannes is a opulent , luxury, and lavish resort city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Porto and Cannes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Porto or Cannes?

You'll generally find more things to do in Porto than Cannes. Porto is bigger than Cannes, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Porto is better known for its museums and big city activities, while Cannes is more popular for its music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. Cannes is more touristy than Porto and is popular for its popularity with celebrities and its role as host for the international film festival. Porto is well known for its authentic old town and the local port wine. Also, Porto is famous for Cais da Ribeira.

How is Porto different from Cannes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Porto is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Cannes does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Cannes does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Porto and Cannes offer fantastic 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.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Cannes is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city is known for its fresh seafood and produce, local markets, and innovative chefs. There are also a number of traditional dishes that you should try in town including bouillabaisse, daube, and farcis niçois.

Is Porto or Cannes Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find very good options in both Porto and Cannes.

The nightlife in Porto has something for everybody. This city comes to life in the evening, particularly on weekends when locals and tourists alike flock to the many bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.

Cannes offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife scene is all about the glamour and prestige that this city is known for. There are exclusive nightclubs and luxury cocktail bars where the goal is to see and be seen. Parties last late into the night and the glitz and glamour fill the streets.

Is Porto or Cannes Better for Music?

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

Cannes is known as a music capital around the world. The city is famous for its music festivals, but there are also many bands, DJs, and performers who visit year round.

Porto is not a live music destination.

Is Porto or Cannes Better for Resorts?

Cannes is very popular for its luxury resorts. However, Porto is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Cannes is a perfect choice. The city is filled with luxury resorts and elegant hotels. Among the best are Hôtel Martinez, Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic, and Five Seas Hotel.

Porto is not a resort destination.

Is Porto or Cannes Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cannes is very good for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Porto is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Cannes. You can arrange scuba diving and snorkeling trips from a few vendors in town. You might see sponges, sea slugs octopus, cuttlefish, lobsters and even stingrays.

Porto is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Porto or Cannes Better for Beaches?

Cannes is a great resort city for its beaches. However, Porto is not a beach destination.

Cannes is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. You can choose from both public and private beaches in the area. You'll find more amenities and convenience at the private beaches which are closer to La Croisette (the main promenade in town). These beaches also come with a price tag attached. The public beaches have a more relaxed and natural vibe but are a little less convenient to get to.

Porto is not a beach destination.

Is Porto or Cannes Better for its Old Town?

Porto and Cannes 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 Cannes to see the historical old town. Known as Le Suquet, the old town has many historic landmarks including the the Château de la Castre. There are also cobblestone streets and many great restaurants around town.

Is the Shopping Better in Porto or Cannes?

Cannes 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 Cannes. With its many affluent visitors, the shopping scene in town is filled with luxury brands and posh boutiques. Perfume and porcelain are both popular things to buy in the area.

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 Cannes Better for Families?

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

Porto is known to be 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.

Cannes is a family-friendly port city. Most people associate the city with the film festival and late night partying, but there are also kid-friendly restaurants, fun beach activities, and plenty of kid-friendly entertainment along La Croisette Boulevard. Make sure you check out the Grand Carousel and the many playgrounds around town.

Is Porto or Cannes Better for Couples?

Cannes is very popular for romance. Also, Porto is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its romantic activities.

For those traveling as a couple, Cannes has plenty to offer. It's grand hotels and luxury beach clubs make this a perfect romantic destination. There are world class restaurants, a vibrant nightlife scene, and many romantic spots around town that make for a memorable honeymoon or couple's getaway.

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 Porto or Cannes Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Porto is an amazing port city to visit for backpackers. However, Cannes is not a good resort city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Porto is a very popular port city to visit for backpackers. By combining world-class activities with affordability, this city has become a popular stop off for backpackers in the area.

Cannes is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's more famous for it's celebrity jetsetters than young budget travelers, but there are still several hostels and budget accommodation options tucked away in town.

Is Porto or Cannes Better for Students?

Porto is a well-known place for students. However, Cannes is not popular with students.

Porto is very popular with students. The city has a number of good research programs and study abroad opportunities that attract international students from around the world.

Cannes is not popular with students.

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

Porto is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Cannes is not as famous, but is still a good resort city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Porto offers a very effecient public transportation network. 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.

Cannes has some public transit options. There are buses that travel around the city.

Is Porto or Cannes a more walkable city?

Porto and Cannes are very good when it comes to 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.

Cannes is a very walkable port city. Many areas are easily explored on foot including the historic areas and the coastline.

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

Should I spend more time in Cannes or Porto?

How long in Porto or Cannes?

It's fun to spend time in either Porto or Cannes. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Porto due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Porto, and 2-4 days is enough time in Cannes.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Porto than Cannes 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 Porto or Cannes?

Porto 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.

In Cannes, many people enjoy the live music and food that this lavish destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This resort 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 Cannes?

Porto is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cannes. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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.

Five days in Porto or Cannes?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Porto. Don't miss the food, 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.

Cannes is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Cannes. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Porto or Cannes?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural big city of Porto. This port 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.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the luxury destination of Cannes. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal, The Best Bicycle Tours in France, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Porto and Cannes, we can see that Cannes is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Porto or Cannes?

Porto has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Cannes. When comparing the sizes of Porto and Cannes, 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 Cannes?

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 Cannes in the Summer?

Both Cannes and Porto during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Porto because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cannes this time of year.

In July, Porto is generally cooler than Cannes. Daily temperatures in Porto average around 21°C (69°F), and Cannes fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Porto usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Cannes. Porto gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Porto or Cannes in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Porto and Cannes. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Porto this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Cannes for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Porto is around the same temperature as Cannes in the autumn. The daily temperature in Porto averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Cannes fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Cannes receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Porto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Porto usually receives more rain than Cannes. Porto gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Porto or Cannes in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Porto as well as Cannes. Many travelers come to Porto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Cannes in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In the winter, Porto is a little warmer than Cannes. Typically, the winter temperatures in Porto in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Cannes averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Porto receives a lot of rain in the winter. Porto usually gets more rain in January than Cannes. Porto gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Porto or Cannes in the Spring?

Both Cannes and Porto are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Porto in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Cannes for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Porto is generally around the same temperature as Cannes. Daily temperatures in Porto average around 14°C (56°F), and Cannes fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It's quite rainy in Porto. In April, Porto usually receives more rain than Cannes. Porto gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Cannes and Porto