As one of Europe’s most affordable holiday destinations, travellers can easily to enjoy what Portugal has to offer without burning a massive hole in their pocket. This captivating country n the Old Continent’s southeastern corner boasts a stunning coastline, charming cities, delicious food, and, best of all, affordability.
Get ready to take on the country’s architectural masterpieces, sparkling beaches, and rugged trails along with its delectable cuisine and flowing wine. Whether you’re on a budget limited to hostels and free attractions, or you’ve got lots of cash to spend on bespoke tours, and fancy resorts, an unforgettable Portugal vacation is waiting for you.
Portugal at Every Budget: Top Tips
If you’re on a budget, there are a few things to keep in mind! Like with many destinations, Portugal’s peak season, which happens to be summer, is also the most expensive. Especially touristy spots like Porto, Lisbon, and Algarve. Many hotels and accommodations hike their prices, airfares are high, and taxis and airport pick-ups may charge you more.
It’s possible to find inexpensive options and attractions that offer free admissions, but they will be few and far between because you’re also competing with the descending crowds.
For guaranteed better prices, not to mention less foot traffic, try visiting in the spring and early autumn. There are lots of competitive prices to choose from, and you will still enjoy beautiful, blue-sky weather.
No matter when you go, however, here are a few tips that will go a long way:
- Ditch the cab. Taxi fares in Portugal aren’t as expensive as New York City or London, but they will rack up if you take them often enough. If you’re on a budget, you’re better off using Portugal’s network of public transportation, which is pretty incredible.
- Score free stuff. If you’re a bit strapped for cash, there are still many ways to experience Portugal. Take advantage of the museums’ free admission days, and visit historical places that don’t charge an entry fee.
- Skip the appetizers. That the selection of bread, olives, cheese, and sardines servers put on your table when you’re dining out isn’t free! Restaurants will charge for those if you consume them.
How to travel to Portugal on a shoestring budget
- How much you’ll need for two weeks in Portugal with a shoestring/backpacker budget: $450 – $550
- Cost per day: $30 – $40
Accommodation
There are many bargains to be had in Portugal when it comes to accommodation. If you’re scrimping on hotels, you’ll find it quite easy to find a comfortable bed to rest your head after a day of sightseeing because of the variety available.
There are hostels with shared rooms, Airbnb private rooms, 2-star hotels, campsites, and pensão or family-run boarding houses. Couchsurfing is also a possibility, the cost of which is typically a small gift or dinner to say show your host appreciation. If you’re driving a caravan or an RV, wild camping is the free alternative.
A hostel stay, in a shared dorm room, will typically set you back $11-$17 in Lisbon and Porto. On the other hand, cheap hotels will set you back anywhere from $25-$40. Bear in mind that these are non-peak rates. Rates will double in the summertime.
Food
As with accommodations, there are lots of food options for the budget-minded. From light meals and snacks to casual lunches and dinners, you don’t need to spend a fortune to eat like a king.
Bakeries, pastry shops, and cafes sell delicious pastries like the tasty Portuguese Pastel de Nata for $1 or less. Sandwiches, light meals, fast food fare, and even street food with drinks go for around $6-$8.
If you’re really on a budget, making home-cooked meals will be even cheaper. A week’s worth of groceries will only set you back around $35-$50 if you skip the luxury items and stick with the basics. This way, you could splurge on a fancy dinner or two during your trip.
Drinks
Unless drinking out every night is your goal, you won’t have to worry about burning money on drinks. Coffee in Portugal is usually between $0.60 and $1.25. A good glass of house wine about $1-$3, and local beer is around $1.20. So you don’t need to spend a fortune to have a good night on the town.
Transport
Forget taxis and Uber. Portugal has an efficient, and relatively extensive public transportation network, whether in the individual cities themselves or around the country connecting towns and cities. They are also inexpensive, making them an excellent choice for getting around if you’re on a budget. Cycling and walking are also a good option and a way to familiarize yourself with the town or city you’re in as well as discover sights left out of guidebooks.
In Lisbon, a metro ticket for a single ride is $1.64 while 24-hour unlimited travel for buses and trams is $6.15. On the other hand, a train ride from Lisbon to Porto can be anywhere from $21.50 to $34.30 depending on the length of the trip.
Experiences
Free museum days and free historic sites aside, there are other ways to enjoy the country. Walk around the cities and admire the architecture. Hang out with locals in public parks. Pop into a beautiful library and read a book. Spend the day at the beach. Surf. Take a lovely hike. Or simply people watch in the squares. Cities like Lisbon and Porto are full of attractions that won’t cost you a dime.
If you do have some cash to spend, you’ll find that there are many affordable attractions as well. Museums, historical sights, and UNESCO sites will only set you back $6-$12.50. Other attractions and experiences will cost even less.
The point is, whatever your budget, you are guaranteed to have a fantastic time in this country.
How to travel to Portugal with a mid-range budget
- How much you’ll need for two weeks in Portugal with a mid-range budget: $1,050 – $1,700
- Cost per day: $75-$120
Accommodation
If you’ve got a slightly bigger budget that will allow you to spend a little more on your where you stay, food, and experiences, you’ll be pleased to find many places that offer more privacy and comfort than a shared hostel room or boarding house.
For mid-range budget travellers, there are private hostel rooms, mid-range hotel rooms, and entire homes on Airbnb. Private hostel rooms range from $50 to $130 while lovely 3- to 4-star hotels will set you back anywhere from $75 to $130 at double occupancy.
Naturally, the hotels might raise their rates in the peak months. However, unlike hostels, which usually double theirs, you will still find a few hotels that offer this price range in the summertime and around major holidays.
Food
Mid-range travellers can shell out for more than just pastries, light meals, and street food, though you should still feast on those when you get a chance as they are delicious. Plus it never hurts to spend less whenever possible. Your budget will let you pick and choose when you want to splurge and went you want to save a few pennies.
For a sit-down lunch at a casual restaurant, you’ll spend around $15-$20 per person. That already includes drinks. For a lovely dinner with drinks, you’re looking at $15-$25 per person.
Drinks
Drinks are the same, though you can afford to spend more for a more expensive glass of wine or a bottle of imported beer for $3.50-$6.
Transport
If you don’t have enough time for commuting, a taxi or Uber might be a desirable option from time to time. Cabs in Lisbon typically start at $3.60 and charge around $0.50 per kilometre, possibly lower if you’re in another town or city. A taxi from the airport to the city centre typically costs $13-$17.
If you opt to take cabs everywhere, you must be vigilant as many drivers run scams to charge more than what you should be paying.
Experiences
With a mid-range budget, you have a wider variety of options available to you. Small sightseeing group tours start around $30 and can go up to $70, while wine tasting tours can set you back around $50. There are also multi-day packages that include tickets to hop-on, hop-off buses, boat tours, and trams. These start at around $47.
There are also specialized small group tours that are more inclusive. These tours save you the pain of planning and booking as they include an itinerary, accommodation, transport, and some meals. These start at $530 and can be guided or self-guided.
How to travel to Portugal with a luxury budget
- How much you’ll need for two weeks in Portugal with a luxury budget: from $2,000
- Cost per day: from $150
Accommodation
Posh and luxurious accommodations in Portugal range from $130 to $250 per night, though some can charge up to $600. These are 5-star properties as well as Airbnb homes and luxury villas with private pools.
It’s worth noting that since the country is a bargain destination, you will find 5-star hotels that won’t cost as much as they would in places like New York City, London, and Paris. So just because you’re only paying $200 a night for a room, it doesn’t mean you’re not getting the luxe, full-service experience.
Food
Just because Portugal has a lot of cheap culinary options doesn’t mean you can’t indulge in pricier gourmet food. Fine dining in the country ranges from classic to modern, with its world-class restaurants that include seafood, Mediterranean, traditional Portuguese, and International fare. You’ll spend about $35 per person dining out in this way.
However, just like anywhere else, there will be some pricey restaurants that cater to tourists who do not know any better. Be sure to do some research and pick out restaurants that serve food worth the price. You wouldn’t want to shell out $100 for a group meal that will leave you completely unsatisfied, wishing you went to the market for inexpensive cheese and sausages instead.
Drinks
A bottle of wine in Portugal typically sets you back $7-$11, and you’ll find bargains in supermarkets. Since you’re splurging, you might as well shell out for a fantastic bottle, which usually costs from $15 and up. Portugal is a wine country so no matter how much you spend, the chances of picking up delicious wine are high!
Transport
The cost of fuel in Portugal is not cheap. Factor in the tolls, car rental costs, and parking fees, and renting a car is indeed a luxury. If you’ve got the dough, then by all means. It will offer more convenience, not to mention a bit of privacy.
Experiences
If you are looking for luxurious experiences in Portugal, there are lots of options available! You can do private wine tastings, bespoke food tours, oyster farming and tasting, river cruising, VIP shopping and spa days, island hopping on a chartered yacht, and gourmet dining and wine tasting aboard a luxury train that takes you through the countryside. You can even experience life in a palace, if only for 24 hours.
Whether you’re venturing the hostel scene or living the high life in a Portuguese Palace of your very own, Portugal is worth exploring at any budget.
What are your favourite money-saving tips while travelling?
