Lisbon vs Barcelona - City Size Comparison

Is Lisbon Bigger Than Barcelona?

Yes — Barcelona is 1.0x larger than Lisbon by area. Barcelona spans 101 km² (39 mi²) while Lisbon covers 100 km² (39 mi²) — a difference of 1 km².

About Lisbon

Portugal's capital, one of Europe's oldest cities. Known as "City of Seven Hills", Lisbon covers 100 km² with a population of 0.6 million. The city was founded around 1200 BC. Lisbon is known for Belém Tower, Pastéis de nata, Tram 28, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Lisbon Metro.

Lisbon is older than Rome by about 400 years, making it one of the oldest cities in Western Europe

About Barcelona

A Mediterranean city known for Gaudi's architecture. Nicknamed "The City of Counts", Barcelona has an area of 101 km² and is home to 1.7 million people. The city dates back to 230 BC. Visitors come for Sagrada Família, Park Güell, La Rambla, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Barcelona Metro (TMB).

Gaudí's Sagrada Família has been under construction since 1882 and is expected to be completed around 2026

Metropolitan Area Comparison

Looking beyond city limits, the Lisbon metropolitan area covers 3,015 km², which is 3.8x larger than greater Barcelona at 803 km². The Barcelona metro area is also more populous, with 5.6 million people compared to 2.9 million.

Population Density

Lisbon has a population density of 5,500 people per km² — a densely populated city. Barcelona, with 16,436 people per km², is an extremely dense urban environment. Barcelona is noticeably denser, packing 3.0 times more people per square kilometer.

Climate & Time Zone

Both cities share a Mediterranean climate, though local geography creates distinct microclimates in each.