Barcelona
101 km²
Lisbon
100 km²
Spain
Portugal
Area Comparison
Barcelona is 1.0x larger than Lisbon
Population Comparison
Barcelona has 3.0x more people than Lisbon
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.
To put Barcelona's size in perspective, its area of 101 km² is roughly the same size as Paris (city proper). Meanwhile, Lisbon at 100 km² is roughly the same size as Paris (city proper).
Picture Barcelona another way: its area is large enough to fit about 14,000 American football fields, 50 times the area of Monaco, or 30 times the area of Central Park. Lisbon works out to about 14,000 American football fields, 50 times the area of Monaco, or 29 times the area of Central Park.
Barcelona is a city on the northeastern coast of Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second-most populous municipality of Spain. With a population of 1.7 million within city limits, its urban area extends to numerous neighbouring municipalities within the province of Barcelona and is home to around 5.7 million people, making it the fifth most populous urban area of the European Union after Paris, the Ruhr area, Madrid and Milan.
Known as "Ciutat Comtal", Barcelona covers 101 km² with a population of 1.7 million. The city was founded around 230 BC. Barcelona is known for Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, La Rambla, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Barcelona Metro (TMB).
Barcelona is the second-most populous municipality in Spain and the capital of the autonomous community of Catalonia.
Lisbon is the capital and most populous city of Portugal, with an estimated population of 575,739 as of 2024, within its administrative limits and 3,028,000 within the metropolis, as of 2025. Lisbon is mainland Europe's westernmost capital city, and the only one along the Atlantic coast, the others being on islands. The city lies in the western portion of the Iberian Peninsula, on the northern shore of the River Tagus.
Often called "City of Seven Hills", Lisbon has an area of 100 km² and is home to 0.6 million people. The city dates back to 1200 BC. Visitors come for Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, Tram 28, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Lisbon Metro.
Lisbon is mainland Europe's westernmost capital city and the only European capital along the Atlantic coast.
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.
Barcelona has a population density of 16,436 people per km² — an extremely dense urban environment. Lisbon, with 5,500 people per km², is a densely populated city. Barcelona is noticeably denser, packing 3.0 times more people per square kilometer.
Both cities are in Europe, but they represent different national approaches to urban development. Barcelona (Spain) and Lisbon (Portugal) offer a fascinating regional contrast.
Both cities share a Mediterranean climate, though local geography creates distinct microclimates in each.
Density Gap
Barcelona is 3.0x more densely populated
History
Lisbon is ~970 years older
Barcelona covers 101 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Lisbon (100 km²), Paris (105 km²), Copenhagen (91 km²), Vancouver (115 km²), or Zurich (88 km²).
Lisbon covers 100 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Barcelona (101 km²), Paris (105 km²), Copenhagen (91 km²), Zurich (88 km²), or Vancouver (115 km²).
The straight-line distance from Barcelona to Lisbon is 1,006 km (625 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~1h 41m.
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