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

Should you visit Porto or Zaragoza?

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

Porto

Porto is a historic, cultural, and cosmopolitan 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 nightlife, food, and shopping.

Zaragoza

Zaragoza is a authentic, cultural, and historical city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Porto and Zaragoza: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Porto or Zaragoza?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Porto than Zaragoza. While Zaragoza is larger than Porto, Porto has more sights and attractions for tourists. Porto is better known for its food, nightlife, and big city activities, while Zaragoza is more popular for its shopping. Porto is more touristy than Zaragoza and is popular for its authentic old town and the local port wine. Also, Porto is famous for Cais da Ribeira. Zaragoza is well known for its grand landmarks, local cuisine, and rich cultural scene.

How is Porto different from Zaragoza?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Zaragoza can be an interesting and educational experience. For such a small city, it really has a large number of cultural and historical attractions. The Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar is the most recognizable sight, but there's also the Museum of the Roman Forum of Caesaraugusta, the cathedral of Zaragoza, and the Aljafería Palace, among others.

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

Porto is an amazing port city to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Zaragoza 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.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Zaragoza. There are authentic restaurants that cater to locals and tourists alike. You'll also find some interesting food tours around town. Tapas are popular, as is chocolate and fresh, traditional recipes.

Is Porto or Zaragoza Better for Nightlife?

Porto is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Zaragoza is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

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 Zaragoza. The nightlife is at its best on weekends, when students and young locals head out on the town. Many evenings start with tapas and wine, but there are nightclubs and dancing as well.

Is Porto or Zaragoza Better for its Old Town?

Porto and Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza to see the historical old town. The old town is small but filled with monumental buildings and an authentic atmosphere.

Is the Shopping Better in Porto or Zaragoza?

Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza. The city has many local shops selling locally produced items and interesting souvenirs. There are also boutiques, markets, and vintage shops that are fun to browse though.

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 Zaragoza Better for Families?

Porto is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Zaragoza is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Zaragoza is a family-friendly port city. When your kids get their fill of architecture and history, you can head to the Zaragoza Aquarium. Also worth a visit is the Emoz Museum, which is an origami museum. And if you need a break from sightseeing, take a kayak out on the Ebro River.

Is Porto or Zaragoza Better for Couples?

Both Porto and Zaragoza 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.

Zaragoza is a very popular place to visit for couples. Filled with culture, beauty, and monumental buildings, this is a small and romantic city. It's particularly romantic at night when the streets are quiet and many of the buildings are lit up.

Is Porto or Zaragoza Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Zaragoza is a good port city to visit for backpackers. There are enough hostels around town to choose from, and while it's not the backpacker haven that some Spanish cities are, it still sees a good number of young travelers.

Is Porto or Zaragoza Better for Students?

Porto is notable for students. Also, Zaragoza is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Plenty of students visit Zaragoza. International students enjoy this small city because it has a local vibe where they can practice their Spanish and enjoy an authentic experience.

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

Porto and Zaragoza 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.

Zaragoza has some very good public transit options. There are buses and trams around the city.

Is Porto or Zaragoza a more walkable city?

Porto and Zaragoza 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.

Zaragoza is a very walkable port city. The city center is very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Zaragoza or Porto?

How long in Porto or Zaragoza?

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

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

Porto is a big city with plenty to do. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Zaragoza, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historical destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Zaragoza?

Porto is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this port city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Porto, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

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

Porto is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Porto, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Zaragoza is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Zaragoza. 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 Zaragoza?

Porto is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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 something for everyone.

You'll find food and shopping around the compact destination of Zaragoza. 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 2-Week Tours from Barcelona, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Porto or Zaragoza?

Zaragoza has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Porto. When comparing the sizes of Porto and Zaragoza, 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 Zaragoza?

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 Zaragoza in the Summer?

Both Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Porto is generally cooler than Zaragoza. Daily temperatures in Porto average around 21°C (69°F), and Zaragoza fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In Zaragoza, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Porto. In the summer, Porto often gets less sunshine than Zaragoza. Porto gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zaragoza receives 344 hours of full sun.

Porto usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Zaragoza. Porto gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Porto or Zaragoza in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Porto and Zaragoza. 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 Zaragoza in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

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

Porto usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Zaragoza during autumn. Porto gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Zaragoza receives 196 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 Zaragoza. Porto gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Porto or Zaragoza in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Porto is a little warmer than Zaragoza. Typically, the winter temperatures in Porto in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Zaragoza averages at about 8°C (46°F).

In the winter, Porto often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Zaragoza. Porto gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zaragoza receives 131 hours of full sun.

Porto receives a lot of rain in the winter. Porto usually gets more rain in January than Zaragoza. Porto gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Porto or Zaragoza in the Spring?

Both Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza because of the natural beauty.

In April, Porto is generally around the same temperature as Zaragoza. Daily temperatures in Porto average around 14°C (56°F), and Zaragoza fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

It's quite sunny in Zaragoza. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Porto. Porto usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Zaragoza during spring. Porto gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Zaragoza receives 217 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Porto. In April, Porto usually receives more rain than Zaragoza. Porto gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Zaragoza and Porto