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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Lisbon or Valencia

29 replies

Stellawella · 20/05/2023 08:18

Has anyone been to both and if so, do you have a favourite of the 2?

i have recently been to Porto which was amazing. Open to other suggestions though. I like a bit of site seeing, good food, people watching.

OP posts:
Usernamen · 20/05/2023 10:03

Lisbon every time!

Ilikecakes · 20/05/2023 10:05

Lisbon Lisbon Lisbon! I was in Valencia last weekend, had a great time but not a patch on Lisbon. Great food, architecture, really reasonable to eat and drink out, lovely people, great shopping, love it.

Atishoos · 20/05/2023 10:14

If you don't like hills, watch out in Lisbon! That said it is a great spot for sure. Valencia is a big city also and has its charms and mostly nice weather too. Lisbon is cooler on the Atlantic coast, but that's no harm if you are walking around a lot.

I'd veer towards Lisbon myself. Take a trip to Sintra and/or Cascais - easy trip on the train if you have the time.

OrangeBlossomsinthesun · 20/05/2023 10:16

Lisbon. I lived there for a year many years ago and have lived in Spain for twenty years, not in Valencia but have visited. Valencia is nice but not a patch in Lisbon.

ohfook · 20/05/2023 10:21

Lisbon

Atishoos · 20/05/2023 10:22

OP have you been to Seville? It is one of my most favoured places to visit and I've been a few times now. I combined it with a trip to Cordoba, Granada and Malaga recently over 6 days and it was just wonderful. Easy to do by train also. Flew into Seville and out of Malaga. Spring or Autumn is the best time, otherwise it can be baking hot and you are unable to do much.

But back to your original question, yes Lisbon first, Valencia second. Both great, but Lisbon has the edge for sure.

Lykia · 20/05/2023 10:36

Lisbon. If you're going child free you must go to Bairro Alto and Institute of Port.

Belem on the tram for delicious pastel de nata is a must do too.

loldie99 · 20/05/2023 10:55

Both are lovely but I agree Lisbon. Have you seen Rick Stein's Long Weekend in Lisbon & Somebody Feed Phil the Lisbon episode? I'd recommend them for inspiration.

rickdeckardandhissheep · 20/05/2023 11:11

Lisbon. Prepare with good walking shoes!

SerenityNowInsanityLater · 20/05/2023 11:28

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Original poster
Stellawella · 20/05/2023 17:14

Thanks all. Looks like it’s Lisbon!

OP posts:
milkydress · 20/05/2023 17:20

Lisbon

Georgyporky · 20/05/2023 19:44

Lisbon over Valencia. But I prefer Porto to both.

allthewoes · 20/05/2023 20:00

I prefer Lisbon.

ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 21/05/2023 22:05

Pleased to see this thread ! Lisbon is on my list for long weekend / city breaks and I was disappointed to see it on the over-rated destinations thread .

cappucino186 · 20/04/2024 16:20

We’re undecided between Valencia or Lisbon next Easter holiday with our DC age 12 and 10. We’ll have 3 full days. Both cities have aquarium and science museum which they’ll enjoy. Looking for good food, sight seeing and relaxed city break. Which city has the edge with DC?

Chocbuttonsandredwine · 20/04/2024 19:16

cappucino186 · 20/04/2024 16:20

We’re undecided between Valencia or Lisbon next Easter holiday with our DC age 12 and 10. We’ll have 3 full days. Both cities have aquarium and science museum which they’ll enjoy. Looking for good food, sight seeing and relaxed city break. Which city has the edge with DC?

I’d say more in Valencia for kids.

Chocbuttonsandredwine · 20/04/2024 19:18

Been to both and loved. Lisbon is steep but if you’re ok with that it probably wins.

Seville is also beautiful, as is Malaga and Budapest. Oh and Palermo.

WonderingWanda · 20/04/2024 19:20

cappucino186 · 20/04/2024 16:20

We’re undecided between Valencia or Lisbon next Easter holiday with our DC age 12 and 10. We’ll have 3 full days. Both cities have aquarium and science museum which they’ll enjoy. Looking for good food, sight seeing and relaxed city break. Which city has the edge with DC?

I haven't been to Valencia but we did Lisbon with our kids 11 and 14 and had a great time. They liked the trams, food, castle etc. We did the Quake museum and the Aquarium and lots of walking. Lots of lovely independent resraurants and easy to get around on buses, trams and the metro.

Runnerinthenight · 20/04/2024 19:30

I haven't been to Lisbon for many years, but Valencia is wonderful!

everythinglooksbetterpaintedblack · 20/04/2024 19:31

I'm obviously in the minority but I was totally underwhelmed by Lisbon

DevilgateDriver · 20/04/2024 19:34

Valencia a thousand times over if you have young kids!

cappucino186 · 20/04/2024 20:40

Thanks for all your responses. I'm now veering towards Valencia as might be a bit more kid friendly and my kids might moan about the steep hills in Lisbon😂! For those who have been to Valencia, is 3 full days a good amount of time to see everything at a relaxed pace? Hopefully won't run out of things to do?

Helenloveslee4eva · 20/04/2024 20:50

3 days in Valencia is plenty.

TeamGeriatric · 20/04/2024 21:01

We stayed out near the beach (Playa de las Arenas) in Valencia, I think we had 4 days and it was good amount of time, 2 days in the old town and a day around the city of arts and science, but we had to commute in from the beach for sightseeing. Pretty sure we could have crammed more in. The kids were also small at that time. I'd still vote for Lisbon though of those 2 destinations, we went last May and had a fab time. The kids survived the hills!