8 places to visit in Portugal when you have no money

How to survive on a budget in Portugal

When you’re young and have no money, booking a holiday can take a lot of courage. But if you choose the right location and stay in hostels, then it can be highly affordable. Portugal is one of the cheapest countries to visit in Europe and has a fantastic range of cities, towns and beaches available.

Get a feel below for which city or town fits your style and budget.

Lisbon

Image by PROilirjan rrumbullaku (Flickr/Creative Commons)

Lisbon’s pastel-coloured landscape and quirky bars have attracted a record number of visitors, and it’s easy to see why. From the romantic hillsides to gothic cathedrals, Portugal’s maritime capital has amazing street art, restaurants and a vibrant nightlife scene.

Staying in hostels and eating at cheaper restaurants can make your money go a long way in Lisbon. The city’s blossoming art scene means there's always something to do, and you can usually find free events and live performances in the city centre.

Many galleries and museums in Lisbon are free on Sundays, so if you plan, you'll save some cash there too.

Coimbra

Image by Américo Dias (Flickr/Creative Commons)

Coimbra is famous for its historic university, the oldest in Portugal and one of the oldest in Europe. The “city of students” is a mini-Lisbon and some of the best activities in Coimbra include exploring the Moorish old town — a warren of narrow streets, boutique shops, and tascas (budget eateries). It's remarkably cheap to visit too, with students regularly eating out for less than 10 euros per head.

Peniche

Image by dr.r.lam (Flickr/Creative Commons)

If you fancy lying on a beach overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, then look no further than Peniche. Situated one hour from Lisbon, the old fishing port has now become a popular tourist destination due to the summer beaches that surround its town walls.

Ericeira

Image by Livio Barcella (Flickr/Creative Commons)

Surf fans have been flocking to Ericeira for decades. The historic maritime village is the birthplace of Portugal's most famous surfer, Tiago Pires, and there are more than 30 places to pick up some waves.

The most popular are Praia da Ribheira d'Ilhas (3km north of the town) and is now a regular stop on the ASP World Surfing Tour.

Lagos

Image by Bradclin Photography (Flickr/Creative Commons)

Sunning itself in the Algarve coastline, the seaside town of Lagos is a great place to party. Huge waves and golden beaches attract sporty types, but the old town’s 16th-century walls and Moorish castle will keep culture-lovers happy too. There’s also a huge marina with plenty of shops, bars and restaurants.

Faro

Image by Paulo Valdivieso (Flickr/Creative Commons)

With its medieval cobbled lanes and chilled beaches, Faro is the gateway to the Algarve region. Offering 200km of golden beaches, natural parklands and a host of historical and archaeological gems, it’s no surprise that Faro is one of Portugal’s most popular beach destinations.

Porto

Image by Juan Mercader (Flickr/Creative Commons)

Portugal’s second city is the gateway to the north and best known for providing the world with a fortified wine known as Port. Located at the mouth of the Douro river, the charming industrial city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Go explore Porto's riverside quayside, Ribeira do Porto, see the sites and relax in the city’s numerous cafés, bars and restaurants.

Braga

Image by José Moutinho (Flickr/Creative Commons)

Braga is a vibrant city, one of the oldest in the country, and is full of students who study at the city’s universities. Famous for its Bom Jesus pilgrimage site, the city is a great place to hang out and is only one hour north of Porto.

It has the soaring energy of a modern city plus budget restaurants, bars and a booming nightlife, which is due in large part to the local university scene.

*Header image by Gregorio Puga Bailón (Flickr/Creative Commons)