The comparison in one table
| Criterion | Porto | Lisbon |
|---|---|---|
| Size | compact, 20 to 30 minutes on foot between central sights | larger, several hills, tram and metro useful |
| Ideal length | 2 to 3 days | 4 to 5 days |
| Atmosphere | river, azulejos, port cellars | capital, viewpoints, very different districts |
| Budget | gentler, especially for food | a little higher in the centre |
| Sea | Foz and Matosinhos beaches, cool water | Cascais and coast beaches half an hour away |
| Star day trips | Douro Valley, Guimarães, Braga, Aveiro | Sintra, Cascais, Évora, Arrábida |
| Weather | more rain, especially November to February | sunnier and warmer in winter |
Why choose Porto
The city can be seen on foot in two days: Porto in one day or a weekend in Porto cover the essentials. Meals are inexpensive (see the Porto travel budget), and port wine is at home here: the Gaia cellars are open all year. The Douro Valley is the best day trip in the north of the country.
Why choose Lisbon
Lisbon is bigger and more varied: more monuments, museums and nightlife, and several easy day trips within an hour. If it is your first time in Portugal and you have at least four days, the capital offers the widest range of things to do. We have no Lisbon guide on this site, so figures for that side are orders of magnitude.
Doing both
The direct train leaves from Campanhã station in Porto: the Alfa Pendular takes about 2 hours 45, the Intercidades about 3 hours 15. Fares and alternatives (bus, private transfer with stops in Coimbra, Fátima or Nazaré) are detailed in Lisbon from Porto: train or excursion?. A simple order: start in Porto, finish in Lisbon, and book an open-jaw flight (arrive in Porto, leave from Lisbon) if your airline offers it.
How to split your days
| Length of stay | Our advice |
|---|---|
| 2 to 3 days | Porto alone |
| 4 to 5 days | Lisbon alone, or Porto 2 days + Lisbon 2 days |
| 6 to 8 days | Porto 3 days, Lisbon 3 to 4 days, one day trip |
| Under 2 days | Porto: everything is walkable |
Going further
To prepare Porto: Porto in 3 days, where to stay in Porto and the best time to visit Porto.
