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

Should you visit Porto or Oslo?

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 Oslo 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.

Oslo

Oslo is a progressive, park-filled, and green city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and museums.

Porto and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Porto or Oslo?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Porto than Oslo. While Oslo is larger than Porto, Porto has more sights and attractions for tourists. Porto is popular for its authentic old town and the local port wine. It is also home to Cais da Ribeira. Oslo is popular for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports.

How is Porto different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Oslo can be an interesting and educational experience. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch Museum.

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

Porto is an amazing port city to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Porto is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

Oslo has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city has a reputation of serving a lot of cured meats and potato dishes, but there is actually a good amount of variation available. Local favorites include smoked salmon, meatballs, and meat stews.

Is Porto or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

Porto is notable for nightlife. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Porto has plenty to do after the sun goes down. This city comes to life in the evening, particularly on weekends when locals and tourists alike flock to the many bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Oslo. The city's high alcohol prices mean that many locals enjoy their drinks at home during pre-parties before heading out on the town. The atmosphere is usually laid-back and chill, with a diversity of entertainment venues that you can choose between.

Is Porto or Oslo Better for its Old Town?

Porto is notable for its historic old town. However, Oslo does not have a historic old town.

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.

Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Porto or Oslo?

Porto is a nice place to visit for shopping. However, Oslo is a mediocre city for its shopping opportunities.

Porto is a great destination for shopping. The city has both your standard shopping mall stores as well as local vendors and boutique shops.

If you're looking to go shopping, Oslo has some nice offerings. The shopping that is available includes shopping malls and local boutique shops.

Is Porto or Oslo Better for Families?

Oslo is very popular for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Porto is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its family-friendly activities.

Oslo is one of the most popular family destinations. The city goes out of its way to integrate kid-friendly activities into everyday life. From playgrounds and parks to interactive museums and nearby amusement parks, this city is among the most kid-friendly around.

Porto is a very kid-friendly port city. 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.

Is Porto or Oslo Better for Couples?

Porto is notable for romance. Also, Oslo 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.

Oslo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. You can explore castles, go on forest hikes, or enjoy a couple's massage.

Is Porto or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Porto is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. By combining world-class activities with affordability, this city has become a popular stop off for backpackers in the area.

Oslo is a good port city to visit for backpackers. Notoriously expensive, this city does have some hostels, but it can be a bit challenging for those on a budget. Because many backpackers avoid the area due to the costs, it can be challenging to meet other backpackers.

Is Porto or Oslo Better for Students?

For students, both Porto and Oslo are excellent places to visit.

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.

Oslo is a great port city to visit as a student. The University of Oslo has an excellent reputation and welcomes many foreign students every year. The school does a lot to make sure international students feel at home here.

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

Oslo 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.

Oslo has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

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 Oslo a more walkable city?

Porto and Oslo 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.

Oslo is a very walkable port city. The city has a number of traffic-free areas so it's fun to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Porto?

How long in Porto or Oslo?

In either Porto or Oslo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Porto has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Porto than Oslo. In general, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Porto, and 1-5 days is enough time in Oslo.

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

Couples should spend more time in Porto than Oslo. 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 Oslo 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 Oslo?

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 Oslo, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this progressive 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 Oslo?

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 Oslo. 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 Oslo?

Porto is a historic 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.

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

A week in Porto or Oslo?

The dynamic 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 nightlife and food around the progressive big city of Oslo. 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 Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway.

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

Which is Bigger, Porto or Oslo?

Oslo has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Porto. When comparing the sizes of Porto and Oslo, 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 Oslo?

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 Oslo in the Summer?

Both Oslo 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Oslo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Porto is a little warmer than Oslo in the summer. The daily temperature in Porto averages around 21°C (69°F) in July, and Oslo fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In Oslo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Porto. In the summer, Porto often gets more sunshine than Oslo. Porto gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun.

Porto usually gets less rain in July than Oslo. Porto gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Porto or Oslo in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Porto is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Porto in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Oslo averages at about 7°C (45°F).

Porto usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during autumn. Porto gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 86 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 Oslo. Porto gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Porto or Oslo in the Winter?

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

Oslo can be very cold during winter. In January, Porto is generally much warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Porto average around 10°C (50°F), and Oslo fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

In the winter, Porto often gets more sunshine than Oslo. Porto gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 40 hours of full sun.

Porto receives a lot of rain in the winter. Porto usually gets more rain in January than Oslo. Porto gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Porto or Oslo in the Spring?

Both Oslo 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 Oslo because of the activities around the city.

Porto is much warmer than Oslo in the spring. The daily temperature in Porto averages around 14°C (56°F) in April, and Oslo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Porto. Porto usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during spring. Porto gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Porto. In April, Porto usually receives more rain than Oslo. Porto gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Oslo and Porto