Spain
Barcelona
Gaudí, beaches and medieval lanes: a big city between the sea and the hills.
See the Barcelona pageBarcelona or Lisbon?
Two big Iberian cities by the water, among the most popular for a long weekend: here is what sets them apart.
Portugal
Lisbon
Hills, trams and views over the Tagus: a sunny capital by the ocean.
See the Lisbon pageOur advice
Both cities share the same atmosphere (beach and sunshine, cities and culture, nightlife and fun): choose by season and mood, or combine them.
Both feature in our ideas for May, September.
| Barcelona | Lisbon | |
|---|---|---|
| Best months (our ideas) | May, September | March, May, September |
| Atmosphere | Beach and sunshine, Cities and culture, Nightlife and fun | Beach and sunshine, Cities and culture, Nightlife and fun |
| First visit: where to stay | Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter) | Baixa and Chiado |
| Neighbourhoods | Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter), El Born, Eixample, Gràcia | Baixa and Chiado, Alfama, Bairro Alto, Príncipe Real |
| Languages | Spanish (Castilian); Catalan, Basque and Galician in some regions | Portuguese |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) | Euro (EUR) |
| Power plugs | C, F | C, F |
| Driving | On the right | On the right |
| Time | UTC+1 (UTC+2 in summer); Canary Islands: one hour behind | UTC+0 (UTC+1 in summer) |
| Our guides |
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