r/VisitPortugalGuide

The classic debate. But here's my hot take: most people who say Porto is better have never actually spent more than 2 days in Lisbon. And most people who say Lisbon is better have never left the tourist bubble.

Which one did you prefer, and what changed your mind?

I’ve been photographing tourists around Portugal for a while now, and I keep hearing the same regrets after people visit:

“I didn’t know Sintra was so crowded in the morning”
“I wish I had gone to Cascais instead of staying in Lisbon all day”
“Nobody told me sunset at Cabo da Roca was that insane”

So I’m curious: for those of you who’ve already visited: what’s the one tip you’d give to someone planning their first trip?

Could be about timing, hidden spots, transport, what to skip, what to never miss. Anything goes.

I’ll start: skip Sintra before 10am if you hate crowds, but be there by 8am if you love golden light and empty streets. There’s no in-between!!

Drop your tip below!

I’m curious about other people’s experiences visiting Lisbon.

Some places in the city are constantly recommended in travel guides and social media, but sometimes they don’t live up to the hype.

For example, some people say the lines at Pastéis de Belém are too long, or that Elevador de Santa Justa is not really worth the wait.

Others think places like LX Factory are cool but a bit too touristy nowadays.

So I’m wondering: **What is the most overrated tourist attraction in Lisbon in your opinion?**And what place would you recommend instead?

Prices have gone up in Lisbon and Porto noticeably over the last few years, especially accommodation. Is Portugal still the "budget-friendly" destination it used to be, or has that changed?

Curious to hear from people who've visited both recently and a few years ago, what's your honest take on value for money right now?

I recently visited for the first time and saw that there's such a vibrant art community culture. Then I bought a Lonely Planet Portugal edition and I'm humbled how many festivals, arts, music and cinema events Portugal has, and each city has their own one. Portugal is a very underrated country I think.