Match-ups
Tangier vs Lisbon
For: Europeans who like port cities
Two hilly Atlantic port cities with writers in their cafés and a view across the water.
Tangier4Lisbon1
7 rounds. Numbers come with their sources under each round; the scores out of 5 are our own take. Draws count for no one.
Round 1
Getting there
Average return fare from London (Kayak), with flight times
Tangier£110 return3 h non-stop from London, no non-stop from Dubai. Average return from Dubai: AED 2,543 (to TNG)
Lisbon£164 return2.9 h non-stop from London, 8.6 h from Dubai. Average return from Dubai: AED 3,490 (to LIS)
Tangier is the cheaper trip from London.
Tangier is also 1 hour by fast ferry from Tarifa, Spain.
Sources
kayak.co.ukkayak.aekayak.co.ukkayak.aeChecked 2026-11-14.
Round 2
Cost of a day
Average spend per traveller per day (budgetyourtrip.com), in US dollars
TangierUS$ 81 a day
LisbonUS$ 191 a day
Tangier is cheaper: about 58% less a day.
Sources
budgetyourtrip.combudgetyourtrip.comChecked 2026-11-14.
Round 3
Weather
Average daytime high, °C
TangierTangierJan16.2°Apr19.2°Jul28.3°Oct23.7°
LisbonLisbonJan14.8°Apr19.8°Jul27.9°Oct22.5°
Almost the same climate: mild winters, warm summers.
Sources
en.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.orgChecked 2026-11-14.
Round 4
Visa
For UK, EU and US passports; check yours on the official page
TangierNo visa for UK, EU and US passports, up to 90 days
LisbonSchengen: no visa for UK, EU and US passports; EU entry checks (EES) since 2025
Tangier: the easiest door.
Sources
gov.ukgov.ukChecked 2026-11-14.
Round 5
Sights
Our take, scored out of 5
Tangier3 / 5The kasbah, the medina, the Caves of Hercules, Cap Spartel
Lisbon5 / 5Belém, Alfama, the castle, Sintra a day trip away
Lisbon has more, and Sintra next door.
Round 6
Crowds
Our take, scored out of 5
Tangier4 / 5Few visitors outside summer
Lisbon2 / 5One of Europe's busiest city-breaks; queues for tram 28
Tangier is calmer.
Round 7
Onward trip
Our take, scored out of 5
Tangier4 / 5Al Boraq high-speed train to Rabat and Casablanca; Chefchaouen by road
Lisbon4 / 5Porto by train, the Algarve by road
A draw.
The verdict
Lisbon wins on sights. Tangier wins on cost, calm and being the door to all of Morocco.
Tangier4Lisbon1
Say yes to the trip
Tell us your email and we'll write when the Wakha app is ready: offline, every city, every answer.