A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sydney vs. Lisbon for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Sydney or Lisbon?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney or Lisbon, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Sydney

Sydney is a outdoorsy, adventurous, and glamorous city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Lisbon

Lisbon is a stunning, picturesque, and colorful city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping.

Sydney and Lisbon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sydney or Lisbon?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Lisbon than Sydney. While Sydney is larger than Lisbon, Lisbon has more sights and attractions for tourists. Lisbon is very popular for its food, music, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Sydney attracts visitors for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. Sydney is famous for its iconic buildings, world-renowned beaches, colorful nightlife, and cosmopolitan restaurants. Lisbon is famous for its hilltop vistos, beautiful old town, and lively Fado music. It is also well known for Castelo de São Jorge.

How is Sydney different from Lisbon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Lisbon and Sydney. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sydney or Lisbon?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Sydney or Lisbon.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Sydney on the map. The city is filled with iconic and world famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There's also the famous Royal Botanic Garden and the Sydney Tower Eye.

Travelers visit Lisbon from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. World renowned landmarks include St. George's Castle, Jerónimos monastery, the Belém Tower, Santa Justa Lift, and countless world class museums.

Is the Food Better in Sydney or Lisbon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lisbon is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Sydney is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Lisbon is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. There are many local restaurants as well as food tours and cooking classes that you can enjoy. Make sure you try the local favorites like bacalhau à brás, frango no churrasco, and pastel de nata. Given the beautiful climate, outdoor seating is also popular. Head into the less touristy neighborhoods to try some local dishes or hit up a seafood market. There are also many cafes that offer great breakfasts with fresh ingredients.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Sydney. There are international restaurants offering impressive dishes from around the world. You'll also find some local Australian favorites around town. Seafood is abundant, as are a number of Asian cuisines. Barramundi is a local fish that you'll find on many menus. Oysters, prawns, and John Dory (a local fish) are also popular.

Is Sydney or Lisbon Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Sydney and Lisbon.

The nightlife in Sydney is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city is filled with nightclubs and DJ hosted dance parties. There's a huge young crowd that brings together residents, students, and backpackers in a vibrant nightlife scene. Some of the best areas for nightlife are Kings Cross, Oxford Street, Surry Hills or Darling Harbour.

Lisbon is a world class party destination. It is a bustling city with a lot of energy late into the night. There are countless bars, clubs, and music venues that cater to every personality type and style. Whether you want a more relaxed vibe or a raging party, there is likely an place for you.

Is Sydney or Lisbon Better for Music?

Lisbon is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Sydney is not a live music destination.

In Lisbon you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. The local folk music, fado, is popular here, but there are also venues that host almost any other style of music as well. You'll also find several fado museums around town.

Sydney is not a live music destination.

Is Sydney or Lisbon Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sydney is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Lisbon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Sydney has a few good snorkeling spots. There's some good snorkeling and diving nearby with a diversity of marine life and interesting ecosystems. Some of the best snorkeling spots are at Palm Beach, Shelly Beach, and Clifton Gardens.

Lisbon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sydney or Lisbon Better for Beaches?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for the beach. Also, Lisbon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Sydney. There are more than 100 beaches near the city with everything from hidden coves to world famous destinations. Bondi Beach is the most famous beach in town and it has all of the tourist sights and activities that you could need. Surfers often head to Bronte Beach, which isn't too far away. Divers and snorkelers love Gordons Bay. Manly is also a nearby suburb with family-friendly beaches that can be reached by ferry.

Many people head to Lisbon to enjoy the beach. The beaches are often overlooked by visitors, but the coastline near the city is lined with beautiful sandy beaches that are arguably among the best in the area. If you want to get away from city life, head for the water.

Is Sydney or Lisbon Better for its Old Town?

Lisbon is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. However, Sydney does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Lisbon offers plenty to see. The city is famous for the Alfama area, which is where you find the traditional buildings, cobblestoned streets, wandering alleyways, and steep hills. Make sure you take in the stunning view from various parts of town.

Sydney does not have a historic old town.

Is Sydney or Lisbon Better for Hiking?

Sydney is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Lisbon is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Sydney. The city offers a number of coastal and inland trails that are easily accessible from town. There are short paths as well as multi-day routes not far and pass by stunning landscapes and viewpoints.

Lisbon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sydney or Lisbon?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Lisbon and Sydney.

Sydney is a world class destination for shoppers. There's a wonderful mix of shopping streets, modern malls, and boutique vendors who sell local fashions. For souvenirs or local art, go to The Rocks, which is not far from Sydney Opera House. The Queen Victoria Building and Strand Arcade are also popular shopping areas.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Lisbon. For high end shopping, head to The Avenida da Liberdade. It's lined with designer brands and luxury boutiques.

Is Sydney or Lisbon Better for Families?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Lisbon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Sydney is a very family-friendly destination. The city has great beaches where kids can learn to surf, zoos and aquariums with local wildlife, and outdoor activities that take advantage of the city's waterfront location. There's everything from whale watching to visiting the Olympic Park, all of which will fascinate kids of all ages.

Lisbon is a very family-friendly place to visit. Popular family-friendly activities include exploring Castelo Sao Jorge, visiting the aquarium, hanging out on the beach, and of course, taking the funiculars. Kids of all ages will appreciate the intricate maze of streets and lively atmosphere that this city offers. There's also the famous Livraria Lello & Irmão, which is a beautiful bookshop that is said to be an inspiration for Harry Potter. Don't expect to simply walk in, as there is often a long line to enter.

Is Sydney or Lisbon Better for Couples?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Lisbon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Sydney makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's a romantic city that's filled with iconic landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. There are also award winning restaurants and world class beaches. Wander around the botanical gardens or take a sailing cruise on the harbor. There is an endless supply of romantic activities to choose from.

Couples visit Lisbon frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With it's colorful buildings and dramatic hills, this city offers a truly romantic setting for couples. There are many romantic viewpoints as well as world class restaurants that couples will enjoy.

Is Sydney or Lisbon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sydney and Lisbon are fantastic places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Sydney is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. It's popular for its adventure sports, active beaches, and vibrant nightlife. While it's not a particularly cheap city to visit, there are plenty of hostels around town and no shortage of backpackers to hang out with.

Many backpackers frequent Lisbon. Hostels are abundant, and you'll have no trouble finding other backpackers to hang out with. Many hostels even organize activities and group meals for travelers. Prices are also reasonable for a large and vibrant city.

Is Sydney or Lisbon Better for Students?

Sydney is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Lisbon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Many students frequent Sydney. Students love the energy and plethora of outdoor activities in this beautiful city. Many international students come not only for the excellent universities but also for the diverse environment and many things to do.

Lisbon is very popular with students. It's a lively city with a lot to see and do for international students.

Is Sydney or Lisbon Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Sydney and Lisbon.

Visitors in Sydney can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. There are a variety of types of public transit in town including buses, trains, ferries and light rail.

Lisbon has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The metro has four lines that go around the city. There are also trams, buses, and the funiculars.

Is Sydney or Lisbon a more walkable city?

Lisbon is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Sydney is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Lisbon on foot is easy. There are many walkable areas that aren't too hilly like Baixa, a stretch along the Tagus River, and Belém.

Sydney is very walkable. The city center and nearby suburbs are relatively easy to walk around. On the western side of the city, the suburbs are much less walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Sydney Worth Visiting? and Is Lisbon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lisbon or Sydney?

How long in Sydney or Lisbon?

Both Sydney and Lisbon have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Sydney has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Sydney than Lisbon. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Sydney than Lisbon. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Sydney that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Sydney or Lisbon?

Sydney is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the big city destination of Lisbon. 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.

A weekend in Sydney or Lisbon?

Sydney is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Lisbon is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Sydney or Lisbon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sydney. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

A week in Sydney or Lisbon?

Sydney is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the colorful big city of Lisbon. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia, The Best 10-Day Tours in Australia, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sydney and Lisbon, we can see that Sydney is more expensive. And not only is Lisbon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sydney is in Pacific and Lisbon is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Lisbon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lisbon 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 Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney than you might in Lisbon.

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

Which is Bigger, Sydney or Lisbon?

Sydney has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Lisbon. When comparing the sizes of Sydney and Lisbon, 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 Sydney or Lisbon?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sydney is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Lisbon has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Sydney or Lisbon in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sydney as well as Lisbon. Many visitors come to Sydney in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Lisbon for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Sydney is around the same temperature as Lisbon in the summer. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Lisbon fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sydney this time of the year. In the summer, Sydney often gets less sunshine than Lisbonin July. Sydney gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lisbon receives 352 hours of full sun.

Sydney receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sydney usually gets more rain in January than Lisbonin July. Sydney gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sydney or Lisbon in the Autumn?

Both Lisbon and Sydney are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Sydney for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Lisbon because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Sydney is around the same temperature as Lisbon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sydney in April average around 19°C (65°F), and Lisbon averages at about 19°C (66°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in Lisbon. Sydney usually receives less sunshine than Lisbon during autumn. Sydney gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Lisbon receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Sydney. In April, Sydney usually receives more rain than Lisbonin October. Sydney gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Sydney or Lisbon in the Winter?

Both Lisbon and Sydney during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Sydney because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year.

In July, Sydney is generally around the same temperature as Lisbonin January. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 12°C (53°F), and Lisbon fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

It's quite sunny in Sydney. In the winter, Sydney often gets more sunshine than Lisbonin January. Sydney gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lisbon receives 144 hours of full sun.

Lisbon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Sydney usually gets less rain in July than Lisbonin January. Sydney gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sydney or Lisbon in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sydney and Lisbon. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Sydney this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lisbon for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Sydney is a little warmer than Lisbon in the spring. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Lisbon fluctuates around 16°C (60°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lisbon this time of the year. In Sydney, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sydney usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lisbon during spring. Sydney gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Lisbon receives 235 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Sydney usually receives more rain than Lisbonin April. Sydney gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lisbon and Sydney