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

Should you visit Porto or Stuttgart?

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 Stuttgart 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.

Stuttgart

Stuttgart is a modern, authentic, and commercial 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 Stuttgart: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Porto or Stuttgart?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Porto than Stuttgart. While Stuttgart is larger than Porto, Porto has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Porto is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Stuttgart is more popular for its shopping. Porto is more touristy than Stuttgart and is known for its authentic old town and the local port wine. Also, Porto is famous for Cais da Ribeira. Stuttgart is well known for its many automobile museums including the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum.

How is Porto different from Stuttgart?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Porto is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Porto offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Stuttgart is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The city's influence over the car industry is reflected in the museums in town. You can visit both the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. Also check out Schlossplatz, the Ludwigsburg Palace, and Altes Schloss and Landesmuseum while you're in town.

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

Porto is an amazing port city to visit for its restaurants. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Porto is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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, Stuttgart makes for a great culinary experience. The city blends traditional German flavors with modern twists. You'll find much more than the standard bratworsts that so many people associate with German cuisine. One favorite dish is maultaschen, which is like a ravioli. Also make sure you try spätzle, zwiebelrostbraten (roast and onions) and flädlesuppe (soup with long pasta).

Is Porto or Stuttgart Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Stuttgart offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife scene stays active late into the evening. You'll find no shortage of clubs, bars, music venues, and beer gardens. You'll meet a combination of locals, tourists, students, and expats at many venues.

Is Porto or Stuttgart Better for its Old Town?

Porto is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Stuttgart does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting 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.

Stuttgart does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Porto or Stuttgart?

Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart. The city is filled with pedestrian shopping streets as well as flea markets and major shopping malls. The main shopping street in town is Koenigstrasse, where you'll find many upscale boutiques. For a local food market head to Markthalle Stuttgart. The flagship store of the Breuninger chain is also found in Stuttgart.

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 Stuttgart Better for Families?

Porto is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Porto. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Stuttgart. Like many German city's, there's a great zoo to explore. There's also some unique museums like the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum. Kids will also enjoy taking in the view from the top of the Fernsehturm.

Is Porto or Stuttgart Better for Couples?

Porto is a very popular place for couples. Also, Stuttgart 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.

Stuttgart is a nice destination for couples. The city is large enough to have some nice romantic hotels, spas, luxury restaurants, and other activities that make for a great date night.

Is Porto or Stuttgart Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Porto is an amazing port city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Stuttgart 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.

Stuttgart is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's not on the backpacker circuit for most people but there are still plenty of hostels and affordable accommodation options. You'll also find plenty of activities and affordable restaurants to choose from.

Is Porto or Stuttgart Better for Students?

For students, both Porto and Stuttgart are great 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.

Stuttgart is a great port city to visit as a student. It's an international city with great universities and a friendly and central location. There's also a lively nightlife and plenty of things to do.

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

Porto and Stuttgart both offer great 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.

Stuttgart has some very good public transit options. The city's transit system includes buses, the U‑Bahn and the S‑Bahn. The U-Bahn is a denser train system in the city center and the S-Bahn covers more distance and reaches into the suburbs with stops that are more spread out.

Is Porto or Stuttgart a more walkable city?

Porto is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Porto is a very walkable destination. 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.

Stuttgart is somewhat walkable. There are parts of the city that are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Stuttgart or Porto?

How long in Porto or Stuttgart?

It's fun to spend time in either Porto or Stuttgart. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Porto due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Porto, and 2-4 days is enough time in Stuttgart.

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

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 Stuttgart, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this diverse big city offers. 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 Stuttgart?

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 Stuttgart. 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 Stuttgart?

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.

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

A week in Porto or Stuttgart?

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 modern big city of Stuttgart. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Porto and Stuttgart, we can see that Stuttgart is more expensive. And not only is Porto much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Porto would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Porto and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Stuttgart would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Stuttgart than you might in Porto.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Porto Expensive? and Is Stuttgart Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Porto or Stuttgart?

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

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 Stuttgart in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Porto and Stuttgart. Most visitors come to Porto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Stuttgart because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Porto is generally around the same temperature as Stuttgart. Daily temperatures in Porto average around 21°C (69°F), and Stuttgart fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Stuttgart this time of the year. In Porto, it's very sunny this time of the year. Porto usually receives more sunshine than Stuttgart during summer. Porto gets 308 hours of sunny skies, while Stuttgart receives 238 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Porto usually receives less rain than Stuttgart. Porto gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Stuttgart receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Porto or Stuttgart in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Porto as well as Stuttgart. The autumn months attract visitors to Porto because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Stuttgart this time of year.

Porto is a little warmer than Stuttgart in the autumn. The daily temperature in Porto averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Stuttgart fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Porto often gets more sunshine than Stuttgart. Porto gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Stuttgart receives 122 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Porto or Stuttgart in the Winter?

Both Stuttgart and Porto are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Porto this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Stuttgart for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Stuttgart. In the winter, Porto is much warmer than Stuttgart. Typically, the winter temperatures in Porto in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Stuttgart averages at about 3°C (38°F).

Porto usually receives more sunshine than Stuttgart during winter. Porto gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Stuttgart receives 60 hours of full sun in the winter.

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

Should I visit Porto or Stuttgart in the Spring?

Both Stuttgart and Porto during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Porto for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Stuttgart in the spring for the activities around the city.

In April, Porto is generally a little warmer than Stuttgart. Daily temperatures in Porto average around 14°C (56°F), and Stuttgart fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

It's quite sunny in Porto. In the spring, Porto often gets more sunshine than Stuttgart. Porto gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Stuttgart receives 154 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Porto. Porto usually gets more rain in April than Stuttgart. Porto gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Stuttgart receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Stuttgart and Porto