A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Porto vs. Plitvice Lakes National Park for Food, Backpackers, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Porto or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

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 Plitvice Lakes National Park can help you decide which place is right for you.

Porto

Porto is a dynamic, historic, and cultural 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. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a spectacular, scenic, and world-famous national park. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include hiking.

Porto and Plitvice Lakes National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Porto or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Porto. Although Porto and Plitvice Lakes National Park are both popular with visitors, Porto has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Porto is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Plitvice Lakes National Park is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Plitvice Lakes National Park is more touristy than Porto and is known for its stunning natural scenery which includes 16 beautiful terraced lakes. Porto is popular for its authentic old town and the local port wine. It is also home to Cais da Ribeira.

How is Porto different from Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Porto is great for its historical sights. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Porto or Plitvice Lakes National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Porto is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a good destination for its 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Plitvice Lakes National Park. You'll find a few tourist cafes near the lakes that serve grilled meats and other simple dishes. You can also grab a snack from the food stalls that are near the entrance to the park.

Is Porto or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Nightlife?

Porto is great for nightlife. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Many people head to Porto for the nightlife scene. This city comes to life in the evening, particularly on weekends when locals and tourists alike flock to the many bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Porto or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for its Old Town?

Porto is great for its historic old town. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park does not have a 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park does not have a historic old town.

Is Porto or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Hiking?

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a great national park for hiking. However, Porto is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Plitvice Lakes National Park for the hiking trails. There are eight different walking routes that range in length from 3 kilometers to 18 kilometers. They take between 3 and 8 hours and are well marked.

Porto is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Porto or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Porto is very good for shopping. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Porto. The city has both your standard shopping mall stores as well as local vendors and boutique shops.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Porto or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Families?

You'll find very good kid-friendly activities in either Porto or Plitvice Lakes National Park.

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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a very kid-friendly port city. It's a fun place to explore with kids, but if you're traveling with young ones, keep a close eye on them. Also take note that it's not stroller-friendly and make sure that you arrive early to avoid the crowds.

Is Porto or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Couples?

Both Porto and Plitvice Lakes National Park are very good 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's a natural wonder that is beautiful and romantic to explore as a couple. It can get crowded, as it's a top tourist destination is Croatia, so make sure you arrive early to avoid the peak times.

Is Porto or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Porto is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Porto. By combining world-class activities with affordability, this city has become a popular stop off for backpackers in the area.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a great port city to visit for backpackers. There are three hotels within the park and a handful of hostels nearby. There's also some camping options in the area.

Is Porto or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Students?

Porto is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is not popular with students.

Is Porto or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Porto is great for times when you don't have a car. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a good destination for its public transit.

Visitors to Porto can move around easily with public transportation. 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.

Public transit is generally limited in Plitvice Lakes National Park. There are several bus stops near the park but the bus service is infrequent and can involve long trips.

Is Porto or Plitvice Lakes National Park a more walkable city?

Plitvice Lakes National Park is very popular for its walkability. Also, Porto is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its high level of walkability.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a very easy national park to get around on foot. The park is well organized into several walking routes that can be explored in a few hours.

Porto is a very walkable port city. 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.

For even more information, also check out Is Porto Worth Visiting? and Is Plitvice Lakes National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Plitvice Lakes National Park or Porto?

How long in Porto or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Porto or Plitvice Lakes National Park to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Porto than Plitvice Lakes National Park because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Porto, and 1-2 days is enough time in Plitvice Lakes National Park.

Families should spend more time in Porto than Plitvice Lakes National Park. 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park. 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Because Porto is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Plitvice Lakes National Park, many people enjoy the that this spectacular destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This national park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Porto is a fun place to experience. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One reason most visitors come is for the food. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Plitvice Lakes National Park. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Because Porto is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the when visiting the destination of Plitvice Lakes National Park. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Porto or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

The cultural port city of Porto offers nightlife and food. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

You'll find around the spectacular destination of Plitvice Lakes National Park. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 in Croatia, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Croatia.

When comparing the travel costs between Porto and Plitvice Lakes National Park, 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Porto or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

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 Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Summer?

Both Plitvice Lakes National Park and Porto are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Porto because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Plitvice Lakes National Park this time of year.

Porto is around the same temperature as Plitvice Lakes National Park in the summer. The daily temperature in Porto averages around 21°C (69°F) in July, and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

It's quite sunny in Plitvice Lakes National Park. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Porto. Porto usually receives more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park during summer. Porto gets 308 hours of sunny skies, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 266 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Porto usually receives less rain than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Porto gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Porto or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Autumn?

Both Plitvice Lakes National Park and Porto during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Plitvice Lakes National Park for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Porto is a little warmer than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Porto in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Porto often gets more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Porto gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 133 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Porto. Porto usually gets more rain in October than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Porto gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Porto or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Porto and Plitvice Lakes National Park. Many travelers come to Porto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Plitvice Lakes National Park in the winter for the cuisine.

Plitvice Lakes National Park can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Porto is generally much warmer than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Daily temperatures in Porto average around 10°C (50°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).

Porto usually receives more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park during winter. Porto gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 54 hours of full sun in the winter.

Porto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Porto usually receives more rain than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Porto gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Porto or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Porto as well as Plitvice Lakes National Park. Many visitors come to Porto in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Plitvice Lakes National Park for the natural beauty during these months.

Porto is around the same temperature as Plitvice Lakes National Park in the spring. The daily temperature in Porto averages around 14°C (56°F) in April, and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Porto this time of the year. In the spring, Porto often gets more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Porto gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 163 hours of full sun.

Porto receives a lot of rain in the spring. Porto usually gets more rain in April than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Porto gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Plitvice Lakes National Park and Porto