Can you help us choose between Lisbon, Portugal and Madrid, Spain?

Madrid. It's got so much more to offer!

Lisbon is pretty, but it's smaller...I did about everything you want to do in about 3 days.

Madrid, you can spend about a week, go to Toledo and Segovia while you're there, even rent a car and do a castle tour, or something along those lines.

Get the GPS. It's worth the extra 10€! And only rent for the day....don't pay parking overnight and don't try to park in Madrid!

Oh...do Lisbon on your next reward. I wouldn't say don't do it, but do Madrid first.

I have been to both and I also prefer Madrid. Lisbon is very similar to San Francisco (if you've been there). It has a similar bridge and the bay/ocean, nad similar looking streets, hills, and trollies. I found it interesting, but we were able to finish all we wanted to do in two days. If you do end up there make sure you go to Sintra (it has castles) and make sure you go to Belem and eat the pastries they have there.

But Madrid, I think, is in a class of its own. It has something for all ages of tourists. I love the Prado museum (well to be specific I love the painting Las Meninas and went back often just to see it). While the Prado is more traditional art the Reina Sofia is the place to go for modern art especially Picasso's Guernica. Other than the museums the palace in Madrid is gorgeous. If you are young at heart you can go to the WB theme park in Madrid. The park (parque del buen retiro) is amazing, it's like central park only cooler. Then last but definitly not least is the nightlife. The Madrid nightlife cannot be beat, by any city in the world (and i've been to a number of cities). The night starts with dinner at 10 pm ( I often saw little kids out with their parents at 1am) and the night typically goes on till 6am with chocolate con churros.

The food in both countries did not impress me, not horrible, but no France either.

Which city are you leaning towards? Why not do both and take a train from Madrid to Portugal?

I have been to both Lisbon and Madrid, as well as Paris and Rome. Lisbon and Madrid are very different-but each is a good time. If you like to sight see, i would say Madrid has a lot more art and churches, etc. Madrid is HUGE. But the metro makes it easy to go around. Also keep in mind no water near madrid-which is kind of a bummer if you need to see some water.Plus you can do some great day trips out of Madrid to smaller, cuter towns that tend to be rather authentic and less touristy. I was lucky enough to have my sister take me around Madrid (she lived there for a year). If you like flamanco dancing, there is some awesome local places to go at night while having a pitcher of sangria. We also had some amazing payalla there too. If you really like nightlife you can go to the craziest club I have ever saw in Madrid (El Capitol). It is the largest club in the EU literally-9 floors and each has a different theme. The top is the best, as its an open roof top bar that is airy and lovely.You can't really go wrong with either Lisbon or Madrid, but i prefer the rich culture of Spain. I highly recommend some sort of day trip as well.

I even have been to the two and that i additionally desire Madrid. Lisbon is amazingly comparable to San Francisco (in case you have been there). It has an analogous bridge and the bay/ocean, nad comparable finding streets, hills, and trollies. i got here upon it exciting, yet we've been in a position to end all we would have enjoyed to do in 2 days. in case you do finally end up there be sure you bypass to Sintra (it has castles) and be sure you bypass to Belem and devour the pastries they have there. yet Madrid, i think of, is in a classification of its very own. It has some thing for each age of holiday makers. i admire the Prado museum (nicely to be particular i admire the portray Las Meninas and went returned often just to work out it). whilst the Prado is greater classic artwork the Reina Sofia is the area to choose for cutting-edge artwork tremendously Picasso's Guernica. different than the museums the palace in Madrid is amazing. while you're youthful at heart you could bypass to the WB subject park in Madrid. The park (parque del buen retiro) is amazing, that is like proper park basically cooler. Then final yet definitly not least is the nightlife. The Madrid nightlife can not be beat, by utilising any city interior the international (and that i've got been to extremely some cities). The night starts with dinner at 10 pm ( I often observed sons and daughters out with their father and mom at 1am) and the night normally is going on till ultimately 6am with chocolate con churros. The foodstuff in the two international places did not provoke me, not terrible, yet no France the two. Which city are you leaning in the direction of? Why not do the two and take a practice from Madrid to Portugal?

I have been to both and preffered Madrid. Lisbon has some great places to visit if you have transport - Sintra is especially stunning. Cascias and Estoril are also both nice. The city itself seemed pretty run down to us, and had a seedy feel to it. The Expo park in Lisbon on the other hand was lovely (Parque des Naciones?).

Madrid has loads to see and do without the need for transport. Great parks, museums, etc and all within walking and or underground access.

Just my opinion and no offence to the people of Lisbon.

For guides on things to do in each try www.thingstodoinlisbon.com and http://www.actividadesenmadrid.com/things_to_do_in...

I am sure you would have a great time in either.

I have been to Lisbon which is a beautiful place. It has three barrios (old cities) which are still as they were in 1800... Obviously they are inhabited by modern people, but the residents have been careful to conserve the historic feel. There are MANY beautiful churches; all laden in gold and decor, and you will frequently see the beautiful colored tiles (azulejo) which decorate the outsides of these churches. In terms of modern life, Lisbon is VERY alive in the newer sections, with lots of shopping, and people everywhere. There's lots to do and eat if you're up for walking through the city. There's also a town called Sintra, roughly a 30 minutes drive away from Lisbon... It's got castles galore! While visiting, I was able to walk through a huge Moorish castle (partially restored from the 12th century!), and loads of other castles which are open to tourists, all dating between the 12th-19th centuries.

Madrid would probably be better for nightlife and museums, although I haven't actually been there yet (will be going this summer).

Hope this helps, and enjoy your vacation!

Lisbon is Europe's second-oldest capital and once home to the world's greatest explorers like Vasco da Gama, Magellan and Prince Henry the Navigator, getting the very first correct earth city, the capital of an empire scattering over-all continents, from South America (Brazil) to Asia (Macao, China; Goa, India) and know you can invest several day to learn this historical town, with hotelbye is where you ought to start. The absolute most recognized of Lisbon's significant attractions could be the St. George's Castle. That fortress directions a fantastic place near Alfama on the crown of a mountain overlooking the Portuguese capital. This really is one of Lisbon's most widely used tourist destinations. Its impressive battlements, participating museum, and exciting archaeological website combine to make the castle a worthwhile knowledge for the whole family, and kids particularly will like clambering within the stable surfaces and systems that encircle the grounds.

Madrid is really a thrilling town with countless theater shows, chrome, dancing and numerous other styles of nightlife and if you want to learn it then here is the place hotelbye . In Madrid you will also discover the most exciting places to choose a evening to consider and can be the new home of Flamenco because Madrid is alive with audio and passion. The many stunning areas and gardens provide tranquil spots and areas like: Royal Palace, Royal Theater, Almudena Cathedral, Plaza Mayor Square, Prado Museum, Queen Sofía Museum, Gran Vía Avenue and Puerta del Sol reminds you why you decide on this city for your vacation.

Hi

I'm portuguese =)

Lisbon is very beautiful.

Here's some links that might help you:

Portugal, Lisbon: http://www.visitportugal.com/NR/exeres/D3605719-D6...

http://www.visitlisboa.com/Home_UK.aspx?lang=en-GB

http://www.golisbon.com/sight-seeing/itineraries.h...

http://www.lisbonexperience.pt/lisboa_entrada_en.h...

http://www.hostelbookers.com/guide/portugal/lisbon...

Spain, Madrid: http://www.esmadrid.com/en/portal.do

http://www.aboutmadrid.com/

http://www.madrid-guide-spain.com/

http://www.thereareplaces.com/Guidebook/PDEST/spma...