Lisbon vs Washington D.C. - City Size Comparison

Is Lisbon Bigger Than Washington D.C.?

In terms of area, Washington D.C. is 1.8x the size of Lisbon. Washington D.C. spans 177 km² (68 mi²) while Lisbon covers 100 km² (39 mi²) — a difference of 77 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 Washington D.C.

Capital of the United States. Also known as "D.C.", Washington D.C. has an area of 177 km² and is home to 0.7 million people. Its history stretches back to 1790. Visitors come for The White House, Lincoln Memorial, Smithsonian museums, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Washington Metro.

D.C. has more free museums than any other city in the US — all 19 Smithsonian museums charge no admission

Metropolitan Area Comparison

Looking beyond city limits, the Washington D.C. metropolitan area covers 14,412 km², which is 4.8x larger than greater Lisbon at 3,015 km². The Washington D.C. metro area is also more populous, with 6.3 million people compared to 2.9 million.

Population Density

Lisbon has a population density of 5,500 people per km² — a densely populated city. Washington D.C., with 3,898 people per km², is a moderately dense city. Both cities have comparable density, though Lisbon is slightly more compact.

Climate & Time Zone

Lisbon has a Mediterranean climate while Washington D.C. experiences humid subtropical conditions. When it's noon in Lisbon, it's 7:00 AM in Washington D.C. — a 5-hour time difference.