It's a toss up between Lisbon or Copenhagen

[zerofucksgivenever]

Just as the title says really.....which is best for a special surprise city break for DH's 50th......thanks !

Most people would prefer Lisbon for the weather. So unless he’s a big Scandi fan go for that

I would go for Lisbon - really nice city and you can do a day trip to Sintra.

Have done both. Depends on time of year. Lisbon lovely but not in August. If going Sept or Oct choose Lisbon.

I've always wanted to go to Copenhagen but sadly not made it there yet. However I've been to Lisbon a couple of times and loved it. Is cost when there a factor? A friend was in Copenhagen last summer and said that a coffee cost £6 and a simple sandwich £10. That's why we've not got to Copenhagen yet!

I would choose Lisbon OP. I loved Lisbon. I think it’s underrated. Beautiful architecture.

Copenhagen, on the other hand, I found underwhelming. I was trying so hard to like it, but I didn’t.

Have a lovely time wherever you choose. 😊

And I believe alcohol, even just beer and wine, is also extremely expensive in Copenhagen. Unlike in Lisbon... (if that's important to you.)

Not Copenhagen. Unbelievably expensive and racism towards me when I was there

Lisbon is fairly meh but you can do great day trips.

evora, sintra, cascais

copenhagen is a lot more expensive and some of the places like christiana were IMO grim…

Lisbon was very underwhelming
Copenhagen was very expensive
Budapest??

I’m going to go against the grain and say I didn’t really like Lisbon. We did like Copenhagen, but if you fancy Portugal, have you considered Porto? Much, much preferred it to Lisbon.

I've been to both. If I had to choose one to go back to it would be Copenhagen. This is just because it's more my kind of place, and felt more welcoming (to me). But either would be a great surprise trip, I'm sure.

Anywhere but Copenhagen, it was boring. Might as well have gone to Leeds or Bournemouth.

I would look on skyscanner and see what’s cheap.

We went to Lisbon pre-pandemic and loved it. Went again recently and it’s lost a lot of its charm, a lot of the places we loved had closed, there’s a lot more abandoned buildings just falling apart. It didn’t have the same charm.

Are you saying September/October because it will be cooler? We went in September a couple of years ago and got burnt to a crisp as well completely underestimated how hot it would get..
I liked Lisbon and would go back but not in a rush. There's some gorgeous parts of it and it's good for day trips but if you time it with the cruises coming in it's an absolute nightmare!

Depends on the time of year, we went to Copenhagen just before Christmas and LOVED it. Super walkable, Tivoli was all done up for Christmas, lots of little markets dotted everywhere. I must admit, I don’t think I’d visit at another time of year though.

Lisbon is on our list but I’d definitely want to go when the weather was a bit cooler.

I've never been to either place but someone I know when to Copenhagen recently and he said although a bit expensive he did have a marvellous time. He went to the zoo and showed me photos of the giant pandas, he knows I'm mad about them.

Copenhagen is dull and expensive

Haven’t been to Lisbon by fancy it, or Porto

*but

Yeah, Copenhagen disappointing, I'd say Lisbon every time. Spectacular setting, great food interesting culture and surroundings.

I didn't enjoy Lisbon at all. I trod in dog shit more times over a few days than in years at home. Drug pushers constantly harassing us and bin bags dumped on the streets which had been torn open. We did go in winter though so maybe it all looks better in the sun

I go to Copenhagen at least once a year and it’s one of my favourite cities, I don’t recognise the negative descriptions of it at all.

It is expensive to eat and drink though.

Always wanted to go to Lisbon. I was underwhelmed when I eventually got there. Dirty, grubby.

Copenhagen is hard to warm to - it's clean and polite, but the energy of the place feels a little flat.
Another vote for Porto here.

I've been to both and I'd say Lisbon....unless you are going in December and then I'd say Copenhagen for the Christmas lights/markets.

We're not long back from Copenhagen. It's a lovely place, was clean (no dog crap), friendly people and everything is efficient. It's like any other city break though - heaving with tourists and not the place to go if you want a relaxing break. I'd definitely go back as there was so much of the city we didn't get to see but not in the school hols. I can't speak for Lisbon but my friend has been and loved it.