I am sitting here today to share my personal secrets on how to explore the beautiful country of Portugal without spending a fortune. It is my favorite place in the world. I fell in love with Lisbon years ago and even moved there for a while. Many people think Europe is too expensive for a long trip. However, I have found that Portugal is actually the cheapest overall country in all of Western Europe. You can see amazing sights and eat like a king while keeping your wallet full.
Portugal has so much to offer. You will find a massively underrated food scene and the most welcoming locals. The weather is fantastic too. While some prices have gone up lately, it is still very affordable, especially if you leave the big cities of Lisbon and Porto. Budget Travel Tips for Portugal are easy to follow if you know where to look.
When to Visit to Save the Most Money
First of all, you must pick the right time to go. Most people want to visit in July or August. I do not recommend this. These months are the hottest and the most crowded. Prices for everything go up to their highest peaks then. You will wait in long lines and deal with many tourists. A nightmare situation. Truly.
Instead, I suggest you visit during the “shoulder” months. These are May, June, September, and October. The weather is nearly perfect during these times. You will get plenty of sun but avoid the giant crowds. If saving every penny is your goal, then winter is your best friend. From November to March, you will find the smallest crowds and the lowest prices. The weather is mildly cold and you might see some rain. However, the savings are worth a little jacket weather. January is the coldest month, but it rarely snows unless you are high in the mountains. Plus, there is a huge winter sale that starts after Christmas and goes until the middle of February. Great for a new wardrobe!
How Much Money Do You Really Need?
You are probably wondering: how much money to take to portugal for a week? This depends on how you like to travel. If you are a solo traveler and stay in hostels, you can get by on a very low budget. One traveler I know spent about €1747 for 22 days in Madeira. That is a daily average of about €79. For one week, that would be roughly €550. If you travel with a partner, you can share the cost of a room and save even more.
If you are planning a longer stay, the 10 day trip to portugal cost can also be quite low. A budget traveler might spend around €166 a day, which includes a nice private room and good food. Therefore, a 10-day trip could cost around €1,660. You can certainly do it for less if you stay in dorms or eat at local spots. Is portugal cheap to live? Yes, it is. Many local people live on less than $1,000 per month. This tells you that prices for daily needs are very reasonable.
Is Portugal Cheaper Than Other Places?
Many travelers ask me: is portugal cheaper than spain? In my experience, Portugal remains one of the more affordable choices in Western Europe. It was overlooked for a long time in favor of Spain, Italy, and France. Is portugal cheaper than greece? Both are known for being budget-friendly, but Portugal often wins on the overall cost of transportation and local dining. It is a winner for the wallet.
Eating Well on a Tiny Budget
You might ask: is portugal expensive for food and drink? The answer is a loud no! I think Portuguese food is some of the best in Europe. You can find incredible meals for very little money.
The Magic of the Tasca
You must look for a tasca. These are no-frills, family-run dining spots. They are made for sustenance, not fancy looks. Inside, you might see white tiles and plastic chairs. Do not let that stop you. The food is homestyle and delicious. They take cheap ingredients and make them taste amazing.
First of all, you should look for the prato do dia or “plate of the day”. This is usually a three-course meal that includes soup, a main dish, dessert, and even a glass of wine. You can often find this for only €8 to €12. This is a fantastic way to stay on budget while eating well. Is portugal expensive to eat out? Not if you eat where the locals eat. In Lisbon, I love the neighborhood of Principe Real because it has some of the best food in the city. You can get a main course there for €15 to €20.
Local Delights You Must Try
- Sardines: If you are in Lisbon in June, you must try a sardine sandwich for about €1.
- Pasteis de Nata: These are famous egg tarts. You can find them for €1 to €1.50 pretty much anywhere. Manteigaria and Pastéis de Belém are the most famous spots.
- Bolo do caco: This is a traditional bread with garlic butter often found in Madeira.
- Francesinha: This is a giant sandwich from Porto. It is filled with steak, sausage, and ham, then covered in cheese and gravy. It costs about €10 and will fill you up for the whole day.
- Alcohol: A glass of port wine or a cool glass of vinho verde (green wine) will only cost you a couple of Euros in a restaurant.
Saving Money on a Place to Sleep
Accommodation will be your biggest expense. However, you have many choices to save money.
Hostels and Cheap Hotels
Hostels in Portugal are very high quality. You can expect to pay around €25 a night for a dorm bed. If you want a private room in a hostel, it might cost around €50 a night. This is a great deal for couples or friends traveling together. If you prefer a hotel, you can find nice mid-range rooms for €100 to €150 a night in central areas.
Housesitting
Additionally, you can try housesitting to get free accommodation. You take care of someone’s home and pets while they are away. This is perfect for long-term travelers who have flexible dates. Trusted Housesitters is a great site to start with.
A Warning About Airbnb
I recommend that you avoid using Airbnb in Lisbon and Porto. Landlords have forced many locals out of their homes to rent to tourists for more money. This has made the cities very expensive for the people who live there. It is better to stay in a hotel or a legal guest house. In Porto, I stayed at the Republica 157 Guest House for €95 a night, and it was lovely.
Getting Around for Less
Transportation in Portugal is quite cheap and easy. You have several great options.
Walking
You should walk as much as you can. In Lisbon and Porto, most attractions are within walking distance. However, be careful! Many streets are cobblestoned and get very slippery when it rains. Do not wear flip-flops. Also, be prepared for many steep hills. A real workout.
Metro and Trams
If you do not want to walk, use the metro. In Lisbon, a day pass for public transport costs only €6.80. In Porto, it is €7.50. You can also ride the famous historic trams. The Number 28 tram in Lisbon is iconic. You can use your day pass or pay €3.10 for a one-way fare onboard.
Trains and Buses
For traveling between cities, the train is fantastic. The company is called Comboios de Portugal. If you book in advance, you can get promo fares. I once got a ticket from Lisbon to Porto for only €10. Regular intercity fares are about €26.85.
Buses are also a very budget-friendly choice. Rede Expressos is the largest bus company. Another great option is FlixBus. Both are reliable and similar in quality. Rede Expressos sometimes offers big discounts, up to 60%, if you create an account and ride with them often. Buses are often cheaper than the train, with some fares starting at only €5.
Driving and Tolls
If you decide to rent a car, you must understand the Via Verde system. It is an electronic toll system that lets you drive through toll gates without stopping. Many highways in Portugal, like the A22 in the Algarve, have no toll booths at all. They use cameras only. If you do not have a Via Verde device, you will get big fines later. Most rental companies offer a device for about €1.50 to €2.00 a day plus the cost of the tolls. It is worth the small fee to avoid the stress. On top of that, you can use Via Verde for some parking lots and even drive-thrus.
Lisbon: The Ultimate Free Guide
Lisbon is like an open-air gallery. You can see so much without spending a cent.
Free Museums
Many of the city’s best museums are free at specific times. First of all, residents of Portugal can visit many museums for free every Sunday and on public holidays. For tourists, there are still plenty of “bons plans.”
- Money Museum: This museum is free for everyone from Wednesday to Saturday. It is right next to the city hall.
- Calouste Gulbenkian Museum: This place has a beautiful garden and an amazing art collection. It is free every Sunday after 2 pm.
- Museum of the Orient: You can visit for free every Friday from 6 pm to 10 pm.
- MAAT (Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology): This museum has a very unique design. It is free on the first Sunday of every month.
- Puppet Museum: A fun place to visit, especially with kids. It is free every Sunday morning.
Monuments and Views
You should visit the Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery. They are UNESCO World Heritage sites and amazing to look at from the outside. Additionally, Lisbon is famous for its miradouros or viewpoints. You can get a panoramic view of the city for free from the dome of the National Pantheon or by just walking up to the many hills.
Porto and the Douro Valley on a Budget
Porto is famous for its food and the beautiful Douro River. You do not need a big budget to enjoy it.
Exploring the Douro Valley
The Douro Valley is home to luxury hotels, but you can visit for under €100 a day. The train from Porto to Pinhão is the most budget-friendly way to get there. A return ticket only costs €20. The ride takes about two and a half hours and is very scenic.
Once you are in Pinhão, you can do several cheap activities:
- Wine Tastings: Some wineries near the station offer tastings for €15 to €25. Quinta da Roêda offers a tasting for €20. Quinta das Carvalhas has a shuttle bus tour and tasting for only €15.
- Boat Rides: You can take a one-hour boat trip on the river for only €13.
- Free Sights: Visit the Pinhão train station to see the beautiful tile panels for free. You can also walk up to the Casal de Loivos Viewpoint for one of the best views in the country.
- Lunch: You can get a hearty meal near the docks for €15 to €25. For a cheaper option, buy some bread, cheese, and sausage at a local shop and have a riverside picnic.
Madeira: The Island of Eternal Spring
Madeira is a stunning island that is perfect for nature lovers. I spent 22 days there and found it very affordable.
Daily Expenses in Madeira
You can travel solo in Madeira for an average of about €79 per day. If you stay in a hostel like Jaca Hostel in Funchal, you might only pay €20 a night. Food and drink are also cheaper than in many other parts of Europe. A main course in a restaurant costs about €8 to €10. A local drink is only about €2.
Free Activities: Hiking
The best thing about Madeira is the hiking. There are endless levada walks through the mountains that cost nothing. The hike from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo is the most famous one. You can also relax on beautiful beaches without spending any money. Other activities like wine tasting or a dolphin tour will cost you a bit more, but the average daily cost for activities is very low at about €4.59.
Transport in Madeira
Public transport is very cheap. A two-hour bus ride costs about €4. However, the buses are often old and have many stops. You cannot pay with a card on the bus, so bring cash. I also recommend downloading the Bolt app. It works like Uber and is very easy to use. You can see the price before you book, so there is no need to negotiate.
The Azores: A Remote Paradise
The Azores are nine volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic. They are a bit more remote, but very safe and affordable.
How to Get There
Flying is the only way to reach the islands from the mainland. You can find return flights from Lisbon for about €60 if you use Skyscanner to find deals. Once you are there, you can hop between islands using SATA Azores Airlines or ferries.
Food in the Azores
The food scene is incredible because the land is so fertile. You must try cozido das furnas, which is a stew cooked inside a volcano. I also loved the strong Azorean cheese and the juicy pineapples. A meal for two in a mid-range restaurant costs about €20 per person. Therefore, you can eat very well without spending too much.
Outdoor Fun
The Azores are a paradise for outdoor activities. You can go whale watching, diving, or hiking. There are about 80 approved hiking trails across the nine islands. Many of these are old paths used by locals for centuries. They are free to explore and offer breathtaking views of waterfalls and volcanic crater lakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should you budget for a trip to Portugal?
You should plan your budget based on your style of travel. I spent a daily average of about €79.41 during a solo trip to Madeira. On the other hand, a mid-range traveler might spend closer to €166 per day for central hotels and nicer meals. A 22-day trip can cost around €1,747, not including your flights.
What do I need to know before traveling to Portugal?
You must remember that cash is very important. You cannot pay with a debit card in every shop or bus. Additionally, English is widely spoken in the main areas. The country is the most affordable in Western Europe, which is a huge plus.
What are some tips for traveling on a budget?
First of all, you should book your rooms and tours early. You can find dorm beds in hostels for about €25 a night. You should also look for the prato do dia at lunch for a full meal that costs only €8 to €12. Avoid using Airbnb in major cities because it is often overpriced and hurts locals.
Is 100 euros a day enough in Portugal?
Yes, one hundred Euros is plenty. You can enjoy the Douro Valley for less than €100 per person. This amount covers a nice room, good food, and some fun activities. A real bargain.
Is 300 euros enough for Portugal?
It is enough for a few days of fun. You can find private rooms in hostels for €50 to €100. If you stay in a dorm for €15 to €25, three hundred Euros will last you much longer.
What is the cheapest month to go to Portugal?
The winter months from November to March are the cheapest. January is usually the coldest month. Prices for everything drop to their lowest point during this time.
What are your top 10 travel tips?
- Book your stay early to get the best deal.
- Use trains or buses instead of flying between cities.
- Eat at local tascas for authentic food.
- Look for the daily specials at lunch.
- Visit during the shoulder season or winter.
- Use an eSIM for cheap mobile data.
- Take advantage of free museum days on Sundays.
- Stay in hostels for high quality at a low price.
- Avoid Airbnbs in Lisbon and Porto.
- Use Via Verde if you rent a car to save time and stress.
Can you go on a trip with $500?
Yes, you can manage a short trip. Many locals live on less than $1,000 per month. If you stay in cheap hostels and eat simply, five hundred dollars can last you about a week.
Concluding words
You can see the best of Portugal without spending a fortune if you plan wisely. I have found that staying in hostels and eating at local tascas makes a huge difference. Travel during the off-season to save on hotels and avoid the giant summer crowds.
Use the cheap trains and buses to explore hidden gems like the Douro Valley or the islands of Madeira and the Azores. Portugal is a beautiful and affordable place that will give you amazing memories for a low price.
