Portugal on a Budget: How to Save on Food, Stays and Travel

Portugal is still one of the best-value destinations in Western Europe, even if Lisbon and the Algarve in summer aren’t the bargain they once were. With a few tricks from our members, you can eat well, see a lot and travel around without spending a fortune.

Quick answer: travel outside July and August, eat the prato do dia at lunch, use public transport passes and early-booked trains, enjoy the many free viewpoints and walks, and avoid the tourist ATMs.

When to go

• Cheapest: November to March (except Christmas, New Year and Carnival). Flights and hotels can cost a fraction of summer prices.
• Best value: May, June and late September, with great weather and mid-season prices.
• Most expensive: July and August, especially in the Algarve.

More in our best time to visit Portugal guide.

Accommodation

• Stay a little outside the centre but near a metro stop. In Lisbon, areas like Arroios, Anjos or Alcântara are cheaper than Baixa and Chiado.
• Guesthouses (pensões) and hostels with private rooms are good value.
• Book early for summer and festivals.
• Remember the tourist tax: a few euros per person per night in Lisbon, Porto and many other places.

See where to stay in Lisbon and Porto.

Food and drink

• Lunch is the bargain: the prato do dia (dish of the day) or menu do dia at local restaurants often includes a main course, drink and sometimes soup or coffee for around €10–15.
• Eat where locals eat: a street or two away from the main squares, prices drop and quality often rises.
• Send back the couvert if you don’t want it. Bread and olives aren’t free.
• Cheap classics: a bifana or prego sandwich, soup, a pastel de nata and coffee at the counter.
• Supermarkets (Pingo Doce, Continente, Lidl) have great bread, cheese, fruit and very good cheap wine for picnics.

See what to eat in Portugal.

Getting around

• Use the navegante card in Lisbon (zapping or a 24-hour pass) and Andante in Porto. Never buy tram tickets on board. See our Lisbon transport guide.
• Book trains early: CP promo fares can be a fraction of the full price. See Lisbon to Porto by train.
• Buses (Rede Expressos, FlixBus) are often the cheapest way between cities.
• Walk. Lisbon and Porto are best explored on foot anyway.
• Car hire is cheapest in winter. Factor in fuel and tolls. See Portugal tolls explained.

Free and cheap things to do

• Viewpoints (miradouros): Lisbon and Porto are full of them, and they’re all free.
• Wander the old towns: Alfama, Mouraria, the Ribeira and São Bento station’s tiles cost nothing.
• Beaches: free everywhere. Bring your own umbrella instead of renting loungers.
• Coastal walks: the Seven Hanging Valleys trail in the Algarve, or Cascais to Estoril.
• Free walking tours: available in Lisbon and Porto (tip what you think it’s worth).
• Churches, many of them stunning, are often free to enter.
• Do the maths on passes: the Lisboa Card only saves money on sightseeing-heavy days.

Money tips

• Use a fee-free travel card and always pay in euros.
• Avoid Euronet ATMs and their high fees.
• See money in Portugal.

Our free Portugal trip checklist has the rest.

Prices and details change, so please double-check before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the groups.