A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Porto vs. Lyon for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Backpackers

Should you visit Porto or Lyon?

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

Porto

Porto is a historic, cultural, and cosmopolitan port city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Lyon

Lyon is a quaint, authentic, and historic city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Porto and Lyon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Porto or Lyon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lyon than Porto. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Porto is famous for its authentic old town and the local port wine. Lyon is famous for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town. It is also well known for The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière.

How is Porto different from Lyon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lyon is very popular for its historical sights. Also, Porto is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its sights and museums.

Travelers visit Lyon from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Porto can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

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

Both Porto and Lyon offer terrific 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, Lyon is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

Is Porto or Lyon Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find excellent options in both Porto and Lyon.

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.

Lyon offers plenty to do in the evening. 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 Porto or Lyon Better for its Old Town?

Lyon is very popular for its historic old town. Also, Porto is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its old town.

Lyon has a world-famous historical area. 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.

Many visitors go to Porto to see the historical old town. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Porto or Lyon?

Lyon 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 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.

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 Lyon Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Porto or Lyon.

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.

Lyon is a very kid-friendly port city. 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 Porto or Lyon Better for Couples?

Both Porto and Lyon are excellent destinations to visit as a couple.

Porto is a great port city if you're traveling as 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.

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

Is Porto or Lyon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Porto is an amazing port city to visit for backpackers. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Porto. By combining world-class activities with affordability, this city has become a popular stop off for backpackers in the area.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Lyon. The city has several hostels and a number of activities that are fun for budget travelers and backpackers.

Is Porto or Lyon Better for Students?

Lyon 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 Lyon. 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.

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

Lyon 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.

Lyon has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

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 Lyon a more walkable city?

Porto and Lyon are excellent 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.

Lyon is a very walkable port city. 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.

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

Should I spend more time in Lyon or Porto?

How long in Porto or Lyon?

In either Porto or Lyon, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Lyon has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Lyon than Porto. However, 2-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Porto or Lyon?

Porto is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Lyon, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this beautiful 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 Lyon?

Porto is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

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

Porto is a cosmopolitan big city where you can fill many days. This port city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Lyon is a fun place to experience. In Lyon, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this quaint big city 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 Lyon?

The cultural port city of Porto offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful big city of Lyon. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

When comparing the travel costs between Porto and Lyon, 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 Lyon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Porto or Lyon?

Lyon has a larger population, and is about 89% larger than the population of Porto. When comparing the sizes of Porto 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 Porto or Lyon?

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 Lyon in the Summer?

Both Lyon and Porto during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Porto this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lyon for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Porto is around the same temperature as Lyon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Porto in July average around 21°C (69°F), and Lyon averages at about 22°C (71°F).

In Lyon, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Porto. In the summer, Porto often gets more sunshine than Lyon. Porto gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 285 hours of full sun.

Porto usually gets less rain in July than Lyon. Porto gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Porto or Lyon in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Porto and Lyon. Many travelers come to Porto for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Lyon in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Porto is generally a little warmer than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Porto average around 17°C (62°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

Porto usually receives more sunshine than Lyon during autumn. Porto gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 127 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 Lyon. Porto gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Porto or Lyon in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Porto as well as Lyon. Many visitors come to Porto in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Lyon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Lyon can be very cold during winter. Porto is much warmer than Lyon in the winter. The daily temperature in Porto averages around 10°C (50°F) in January, and Lyon fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Porto often gets more sunshine than Lyon. Porto gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 62 hours of full sun.

Porto receives a lot of rain in the winter. Porto usually gets more rain in January than Lyon. Porto gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Porto or Lyon in the Spring?

Both Lyon and Porto are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Porto for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Lyon because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Porto is a little warmer than Lyon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Porto in April average around 14°C (56°F), and Lyon averages at about 11°C (53°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Porto. Porto usually receives more sunshine than Lyon during spring. Porto gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Porto. In April, Porto usually receives more rain than Lyon. Porto gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lyon and Porto