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

Should you visit Porto or Naples?

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

Porto

Porto is a cosmopolitan, dynamic, and historic 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Naples

Naples is a colorful, fascinating, and historic 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 Naples: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Porto or Naples?

Both Naples and Porto have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Porto is better known for its impressive beauty, while Naples is more popular for its shopping. Porto is more touristy than Naples and is popular for its authentic old town and the local port wine. Naples is well known for its colorful atmosphere, long running history, and influence on world cuisine as the birthplace of pizza.

How is Porto different from Naples?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the excellent sights and museums in either Porto or Naples.

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 Naples can be an interesting and educational experience. Most of the sights are concentrated in the city's historic center. The Naples Harbor is a gateway to the Mediterranean. Also worth visiting are the National Archeological Museum, Capodimonte Royal Palace, Castel Nuovo, and the Catacombs of San Gennaro.

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

Both Porto and Naples 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, Naples is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. As the birthplace of pizza, the city has a well known food reputation. Many local dishes, including an authentic Napoli pizza, use simple flavors such as olive oil, garlic, and tomatoes. The dishes are lighter than their northern counterparts and tomatoes are a very popular ingredient. In addition to the pizza, you should try Lasagna Al Forno Napoletana and Spaghetti Alla Vognole. Also check out a pizza making class.

Is Porto or Naples Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Naples offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife scene includes small bars, wineries, and dance clubs, but much of the energy and activity is actually focused on being outdoors. There is plenty of live music and many nightclubs are actually "disco bars" that are found tucked away in the city's historic center.

Is Porto or Naples Better for its Old Town?

Porto and Naples 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 Naples to see the historical old town. Most of the city's tourist attractions are found in the historic center, which includes beautiful fountains, grand churches, and an impressive network of catacombs and caves.

Is the Shopping Better in Porto or Naples?

Naples 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 Naples. There are shopping streets and districts that have boutique clothing vendors, high end brands, and major chains. There's plenty of diversity in the shopping scene and some of the best shopping areas include Via Toledo, the Chiaia District, and Poggioreale Market.

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 Naples Better for Families?

Porto is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Naples offers lots of family activities. Despite its rough-around-the-edges reputation, the city actually has some fun kid-friendly activities. As the birthplace of pizza, a childhood favorite, eating is a kid approved activity. You can even try your hand at pizza making classes. Other fun kid-friendly activities include exploring the underground city, going to The Science Centre of Citta della Scienza, and running around Parco di Capodimonte.

Is Porto or Naples Better for Couples?

Both Porto and Naples 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.

Naples is a very popular place to visit for couples. Dining on pizza, wine tasting, or taking a cruise on the Gulf of Naples all make this city a great couples destination. There are also many romantic day trips in the area, so many couples use Naples as a base for exploring the region.

Is Porto or Naples Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Porto is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Naples is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's more affordable than most of northern Italy, and it has plenty of hostels to choose from. The city makes a great stop for backpackers who want to see a different part of Italy. While not completely off the backpacker trail, Naples is not inundated with tourists the way some other Italian cities are.

Is Porto or Naples Better for Students?

Porto is well known for students. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

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.

It's common for students to visit Naples. It's a large city with a lot to see and do. Students also appreciate the many day trips that are available in the area.

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

Porto and Naples both offer excellent 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.

Naples has some very good public transit options. There's a metro with two metro lines as well as four suburban train lines. There are also funiculars, regional trains, and ferries to the surrounding areas.

Is Porto or Naples a more walkable city?

Porto and Naples 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.

Naples is a very walkable port city. The historic center is flat and easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Naples or Porto?

How long in Porto or Naples?

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

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

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

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 Naples, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this authentic big city offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the food. 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 Naples?

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 Naples. 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 Naples?

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.

Naples is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the big city destination of Naples. Lots of people come for the food. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Porto or Naples?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cosmopolitan 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 food and shopping around the authentic big city of Naples. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Porto or Naples?

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

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 Naples in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Porto as well as Naples. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Porto this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Naples for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Porto is generally cooler than Naples. Daily temperatures in Porto average around 21°C (69°F), and Naples fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Naples. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Porto this time of the year. In the summer, Porto often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Naples. Porto gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 313 hours of full sun.

Porto usually gets less rain in July than Naples. Porto gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Naples receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Porto or Naples in the Autumn?

Both Naples and Porto are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 Naples in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

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

Porto usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Naples during autumn. Porto gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Naples. It's quite rainy in Porto. In October, Porto usually receives around the same amount of rain as Naples. Porto gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Naples receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Porto or Naples in the Winter?

Both Naples and Porto during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Porto in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Naples for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Porto is a little warmer than Naples. Typically, the winter temperatures in Porto in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Naples averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Porto often gets more sunshine than Naples. Porto gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 115 hours of full sun.

Naples gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Porto. Porto usually gets more rain in January than Naples. Porto gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Naples receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Porto or Naples in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Porto and Naples. Most visitors come to Porto for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Naples because of the activities around the city.

In April, Porto is generally around the same temperature as Naples. Daily temperatures in Porto average around 14°C (56°F), and Naples fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Porto, it's very sunny this time of the year. Porto usually receives more sunshine than Naples during spring. Porto gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

Porto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Porto usually receives more rain than Naples. Porto gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Naples receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Naples and Porto