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

Should you visit Porto or Frankfurt?

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

Porto

Porto is a cultural, cosmopolitan, and dynamic port city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Frankfurt

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

Porto and Frankfurt: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Porto or Frankfurt?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Porto than Frankfurt. While Frankfurt is larger than Porto, Porto has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Porto is better known for its food, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Frankfurt is more popular for its shopping. Porto is more touristy than Frankfurt and is known for its authentic old town and the local port wine. Also, Porto is famous for Cais da Ribeira. Frankfurt is well known for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife.

How is Porto different from Frankfurt?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Frankfurt can be an interesting and educational experience. Many sights are concentrated in the old town center. Highlights include the Historical Museum and St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere, make sure you check out Maintower, the Städel Museum, and the Museum District.

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

Porto is an unbeatable place for its restaurants. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Frankfurt makes for a great culinary experience. In addition to a number of international restaurants, the city also has a strong regional cuisine. Some of the most interesting local dishes include Frankfurter Sausage, Rindwurst, Grüne Soße (an herb sauce), and Handkäse mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese). Also make sure you sample the Apfelwein.

Is Porto or Frankfurt Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Frankfurt offers plenty to do in the evening. It's a vibrant city with many trendy clubs, cocktail bars, music venues, and more. You can enjoy techno, hip hop, and almost any style of music. There are also festivals, beer halls, and classic pubs.

Is Porto or Frankfurt Better for its Old Town?

Porto is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its 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.

Many visitors go to Frankfurt to see the historical old town. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Is the Shopping Better in Porto or Frankfurt?

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt. It's a financial capital in Europe, and as such there are plenty of high end shopping opportunities. MyZeil is a major shopping mall in the city and Kleinmarkthalle is a more classic market. Popular shopping neighborhoods and streets include Goethestrasse, Sachsenhausen and Berger Strasse.

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 Frankfurt Better for Families?

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

Porto is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Frankfurt is a very kid-friendly port city. In town there's a zoo, a children’s museum, a math and technology museum (EXPERIMINTA), and a number of parks, natural areas, and playgrounds. If you're willing to head out of town then you can visit Taunus Wunderland, which is an amusement park with about 50 rides and attractions.

Is Porto or Frankfurt Better for Couples?

Porto is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Porto makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Frankfurt is a nice destination for couples. The iconic spot of romance in the city is the Iron Footbridge, which is a traditional spot to attach a "love lock" and take a selfie. The city also offers river cruises, winery tours, and beautiful parks and natural areas.

Is Porto or Frankfurt Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Porto is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Porto, as it is a very popular port city for budget travelers. By combining world-class activities with affordability, this city has become a popular stop off for backpackers in the area.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Frankfurt. You'll find a number of hostels in town. The city is also a major transportation hub so many backpackers pass through the area at some point on their trip through Germany.

Is Porto or Frankfurt Better for Students?

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt. The city offers prestigious universities and a world class education. The economy offers many internships and job opportunities and you'll find students from around the world studying here. Frankfurt is also well connected to the rest of Europe, so it's easy to explore the region.

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 Frankfurt Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Frankfurt is very popular for times when you don't have a car. Also, Porto is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its public transit.

Frankfurt has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. It is a huge transportation hub with a major international airport and a number of international train connections. Locally, the city has a subway, trams, commuter trains and buses.

Porto has some very good public transit options. 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 Porto or Frankfurt a more walkable city?

Porto and Frankfurt 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.

Frankfurt is a very walkable port city. It has a compact city center that is generally pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Frankfurt or Porto?

How long in Porto or Frankfurt?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Porto and Frankfurt. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Porto than in Frankfurt. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Porto, and 1-3 days is enough time in Frankfurt.

Families should spend more time in Porto than Frankfurt. 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 Frankfurt. 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 Porto than Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt?

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 Frankfurt, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this accessible big city offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Porto or Frankfurt?

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 Frankfurt. 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.

Five days in Porto or Frankfurt?

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.

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

A week in Porto or Frankfurt?

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.

You'll find food and shopping around the connected big city of Frankfurt. 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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.

When comparing the travel costs between Porto and Frankfurt, we can see that Porto 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 Frankfurt Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Porto or Frankfurt?

Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Porto. When comparing the sizes of Porto and Frankfurt, 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 Frankfurt?

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 Porto or Frankfurt in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Porto and Frankfurt. The summer months attract visitors to Porto because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Frankfurt this time of year.

In July, Porto is generally around the same temperature as Frankfurt. Daily temperatures in Porto average around 21°C (69°F), and Frankfurt fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Frankfurt this time of the year. In Porto, it's very sunny this time of the year. Porto usually receives more sunshine than Frankfurt during summer. Porto gets 308 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 225 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Porto usually receives less rain than Frankfurt. Porto gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Porto or Frankfurt in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Porto as well as Frankfurt. 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. Additionally, many travelers come to Frankfurt for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Porto is much warmer than Frankfurt in the autumn. The daily temperature in Porto averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Porto often gets more sunshine than Frankfurt. Porto gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 103 hours of full sun.

Porto receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Porto usually gets more rain in October than Frankfurt. Porto gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Porto or Frankfurt in the Winter?

Both Frankfurt and Porto are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Porto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Frankfurt in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Frankfurt can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Porto is much warmer than Frankfurt. Typically, the winter temperatures in Porto in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 1°C (34°F).

Porto usually receives more sunshine than Frankfurt during winter. Porto gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 41 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Porto. In January, Porto usually receives more rain than Frankfurt. Porto gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Porto or Frankfurt in the Spring?

Both Frankfurt and Porto during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Porto in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Frankfurt for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Porto is generally a little warmer than Frankfurt. Daily temperatures in Porto average around 14°C (56°F), and Frankfurt fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

It's quite sunny in Porto. In the spring, Porto often gets more sunshine than Frankfurt. Porto gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 163 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Porto. Porto usually gets more rain in April than Frankfurt. Porto gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Frankfurt and Porto