Is Greece or Portugal cheaper?

They sit in a similar bracket — roughly $35–130/day in Greece, $35–130/day in Portugal.

When is the best time to visit Greece vs Portugal?

Greece is at its best in April–June, September, October; Portugal peaks in April–October.

Is Greece or Portugal better in August?

Portugal is the better of the two in August. Portugal has the edge in January, February, July, August, December, and both are at their best in April, May, June, September, October.

How long do you need in Greece vs Portugal?

Plan 1–4 weeks for Greece and 1–2 for Portugal.

Should I choose Greece or Portugal?

Pick Greece if you want somewhere stronger for beach, history. Pick Portugal if you want somewhere stronger for food, culture.

Greece vs Portugal

Two strong destinations, different in important ways. Here's the side-by-side, then a verdict on which suits which traveler.

Southern Europe

Greece

Ruins in the morning, a swim by noon, taverna until dark.

Best time to visit

January: avoid
February: avoid
March: fine
April: peak
May: peak
June: peak
July: fine
August: avoid
September: peak
October: peak
November: fine
December: avoid

Peak Fine Avoid

Western Europe

Portugal

Europe’s sunny western edge — Lisbon’s hills, Porto’s port, Algarve cliffs, and the best value in the west.

Best time to visit

January: fine
February: fine
March: fine
April: peak
May: peak
June: peak
July: peak
August: peak
September: peak
October: peak
November: fine
December: fine

Peak Fine Avoid

Read our full guides about Greece and Portugal.

Side by side

Emphasised where they differ. Muted rows are much the same either way.

	Greece	Portugal
Best time	April–June, September, October	April–October
Climate	warm	mild
Budget	Budget – Mid-range · $35–130/day	Budget – Mid-range · $35–130/day
Trip length	1–4 wks	1–2 wks
Visa	Schengen — visa-free for most Western passports (90 days).	Portugal (Schengen) — visa-free for most Western passports (90 days). Verify before travel.
Currency	EUR (€)	EUR (€).
Language	Greek. English widely spoken.	Portuguese; English widely spoken in tourism.
Tap water	Tap water safe in mainland; bottled on smaller islands.	Tap water is safe.
Safety	Very safe.	Very safe; watch for pickpockets on Lisbon’s trams and in tourist crowds.

General guidance — visas, safety, and health change, so check your government's travel advisory and the official sources before you go.

Greece or Portugal, month by month

Which of the two is the better bet for each month of the year, scored on how well the season suits each place.

Which to choose

Choose Greece if:

You want somewhere stronger for beach, history.

Choose Portugal if:

You want somewhere stronger for food, culture.

Common questions

Is Greece or Portugal cheaper?: They sit in a similar bracket — roughly $35–130/day in Greece, $35–130/day in Portugal.
When is the best time to visit Greece vs Portugal?: Greece is at its best in April–June, September, October; Portugal peaks in April–October.
Is Greece or Portugal better in August?: Portugal is the better of the two in August. Portugal has the edge in January, February, July, August, December, and both are at their best in April, May, June, September, October.
How long do you need in Greece vs Portugal?: Plan 1–4 weeks for Greece and 1–2 for Portugal.
Should I choose Greece or Portugal?: Pick Greece if you want somewhere stronger for beach, history. Pick Portugal if you want somewhere stronger for food, culture.