In this historic city flanked by the sea and the Douro River, striking modern art and architecture, like the diamond-shaped Casa da Música, mingles with the region’s traditional granite buildings cheered by colorful ceramic tiles. Welcome to Porto. The second-largest city in Portugal after Lisbon, Porto is a budget traveler’s paradise. Eating and drinking, even » Read more
Portugal: Budget Travel Guide
With its mild climate, beautiful beaches and inexpensive cuisine (including the wine!), Portugal is a paradise for budget travelers, especially when compared to other destinations in Western Europe. That said, the savviest Cheapos are always looking for new ways to save a few extra euros. If that’s you, you’ve come to the right place! Related » Read more
It is easy to see why Lord Byron loved Sintra so. It is no wonder at all that Ferdinand II of Austria built Pena Palace atop the town’s highest peak as a gift of love not only to his dear Queen Maria II of Portugal but also to the Portuguese people. Sintra’s beauty is second » Read more
Portugal is one of our favorite budget destinations for food and drink. A multitude of fish and meat dishes, not to mention amazing wines for every palette, are available for very reasonable prices in Portugal’s capital city. But in Lisbon, just like in any other large metropolis in Europe, it matters when, where, and what » Read more
When it comes to eating, drinking, and sleeping, Portugal’s a steal of a deal compared to other countries in Western Europe, even in popular destinations like Lisbon, Porto, and Braga. But what ways to save on transportation in Portugal? What should you expect to spend getting from Lisbon to Sintra, and Porto to Guimarães and » Read more
The subtropical Portuguese island of Madeira sits in the Atlantic, about 300 miles (410 km) north of the Canary Islands and about 450 miles (715 km) east of the Moroccan coast. It’s got an unbelievably perfect climate — relatively warm winters and relatively cool summers. An island of gardens, inland valleys and flowing levadas — » Read more
We all know that renting a car in Portugal offers travelers much more freedom that being constantly tied to public transportation. (And, in case you haven’t already read it, be sure to check out our tips on saving on your car rental in Portugal.) But what do you need to know about driving in Portugal » Read more
Whatever your European landscape of choice — be it beaches, vineyards, medieval villages or historic old towns — you’ll find it all in Portugal, generally at a fraction of the price you would pay elsewhere in Europe. But what’s the best way to see it all? We love the bus and train, but renting a » Read more
Portugal regularly tops lists of budget-friendly destinations in Europe, and it’s easy to see why. The far western slice of Iberia is home to gorgeous beaches, a seemingly endless list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a wide selection of basic (but comfortable) accommodation starting at around $30 per night. Related: Search for hotel rooms » Read more
Lisbon is a fantastic city in which to eat, sleep and be entertained on a budget. Prices are generally lower than other European capitals, and even visiting the most popular attractions, it’s hard to break the bank. However, to make your budget stretch even further, check out these tips on Lisbon’s finest free attractions. Wander » Read more
Days 9 and 10: Porto Porto is days nine and ten in EuroCheapo’s 10-day itinerary for Portugal. Spend your final two days getting to know Portugal’s second largest city. Walkable, well-connected with inexpensive public transportation and visually stunning, Porto is a budget traveler’s paradise. Free and Cheap Things to Do in Porto Without spending a single » Read more
Days 7 and 8: Braga and Guimarães Braga and Guimarães are days five and six in EuroCheapo’s 10-day itinerary for Portugal. These two college towns are among the oldest and most historically important cities in the entire country. Whereas Guimarães is considered the birthplace of the Portuguese kingdom, Braga, is hailed as the place where the Catholic » Read more
Days 5 and 6: Valença and Ponte de Lima Valença and Ponte de Lima are days five and six in EuroCheapo’s 10-day itinerary for Portugal. Make the trek north to Minho: It’s about four hours in bus or train or 2.5 hours in a car from Coimbra to Valença. This region of Portugal’s known for its production » Read more
Days 3 and 4: Sintra, Cascais and Coimbra Sintra, Cascais and Coimbra are days three and four in EuroCheapo’s 10-day itinerary for Portugal. With both destinations clocking in at around half an hour from the Portuguese capital for €5 or less, it’s no surprise that Sintra and Cascais rank high among popular day trips from » Read more
Days 1 and 2: Lisbon Lisbon is our first stop in EuroCheapo’s 10-day itinerary for Portugal. Continuing with what might be an increasingly obnoxious California metaphor, Lisbon is to Portugal as San Francisco is to California; it’s hilly, coastal, quirky, and complete with cable-cars and foodie culture to boot. As Portugal’s largest city and capital, » Read more
Portugal is long and skinny. With your choice of sandy beaches for sunbathing and rocky outcrops for climbing along the coast, a booming artisan food culture that includes a well-established wine and olive oil industry, historic cable cars, and quirky, captivating cities, it’s not unlike California, albeit a particularly European version. But here the striking » Read more
Portugal’s third biggest city, Braga offers cobblestone streets crammed with more churches (nearly four dozen!) and bells chiming than many other cities in Europe combined. Pair the city’s rich cultural heritage with a lively student population, thanks to the Universidade do Minho (hello, low-cost bars and restaurants), and you’ve got an exceptional destination for Cheapos. » Read more
Travelers often neglect it in favor of Lisbon but Porto — Portugal’s second city — more than justifies its place on an itinerary. While it’s still very much an industrial, working city, it’s got more than enough riverside views, rambling streets and Portuguese charm to be worthy of a postcard home. It’s also a great » Read more
As a bilingual speaker (English and Spanish), my travels have taken me to some of the most beautiful Spanish speaking countries in the world. However, I wasn’t sure if it would help me out when venturing into Portugal. So with some pocket change, a carry-on bag, and a quest for learning a new language, I » Read more
In early June, the Santorini will steam into Lajes, a ragged settlement on the eastern shore of the tiny island of Flores. Lajes wins no prizes for beauty. It is a rough-and-ready port. For many yachtsmen who cross the Atlantic from the New World, the island of Flores is their first port of call in » Read more
When the weather is hot, there’s nothing as satisfying as a day spent by the water. While many European capitals offer proximity to beaches, rivers or lakes, few of them boast convenient access to both a river and several beaches. Situated on the Tagus River, Lisbon has a waterfront of its own—plus many beaches an » Read more
