Portugal Travel Budget: How Much Does Portugal Actually Cost?
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Portugal has historically been one of the most affordable Western European destinations, and while prices have risen in Lisbon and Porto in recent years, it still offers exceptional value compared to France, Spain, or the UK. You can travel well here without spending a fortune.
Quick Summary
| Style | Daily Budget (per person) |
|---|---|
| Budget backpacker | €45–65/day |
| Mid-range traveller | €85–130/day |
| Comfort/flexible | €160–220/day |
Includes accommodation, food, transport within Portugal, and entry fees.
Accommodation
Hostels: €18–35/night in dorms, €50–80 for private rooms. Lisbon and Porto have some of Europe’s best hostels — stylish, social, and well-run. The Algarve has fewer hostel options.
Guesthouses (pensões) and B&Bs: €60–100/night for a double room — often better value than hotels, with personal service. The Alentejo has some exceptional rural guesthouses.
Mid-range hotels: €90–160/night. Boutique hotels in Lisbon’s historic neighbourhoods (Chiado, Alfama, Príncipe Real) are excellent.
Paradores/Pousadas: Portugal’s state-owned heritage properties (converted monasteries, castles, convents). Atmospheric but pricey: €150–300/night.
Algarve: Beach resort prices peak in July–August (€120–250/night mid-range). Much cheaper May–June and September.
Food & Drink
Coffee: €0.70–1.20 for an espresso (uma bica). This is one of Europe’s great coffee cultures and prices are extraordinary. A flat white is €1.50–2.50.
Pastel de nata: €1.20–2 (more in tourist spots). Budget nothing — just eat them constantly.
Supermarkets: Continente, Pingo Doce, and Lidl. Weekly groceries for self-catering run €40–60/person.
Tasca (traditional restaurant) lunch: €9–15 for a full meal (soup + main + drink). The prato do dia (dish of the day) is often excellent value at €8–12.
Mid-range dinner: €18–30/person with wine. Portuguese cuisine — bacalhau (salt cod), grilled fish, petiscos (tapas-style snacks) — is excellent.
Wine: House wine at a restaurant is €2–4/glass; a decent bottle €12–20. Portugal makes world-class wine at a fraction of the price of comparable French or Italian bottles.
Beer (Super Bock or Sagres): €1.50–2.50 at a bar; €2–3.50 at a tourist restaurant.
Transport
Lisbon Airport to city centre: Metro (line red, 25 min, €1.65 with Viva Viagem card), Aerobus (€4), taxi (€15–20).
Viva Viagem card (Lisbon): €0.50 + credit. Metro, buses, trams, and funiculars all on one card. A day pass (24h unlimited) is €6.80.
Porto Metro: Airport to centre ~30 minutes, €2.
Intercity trains: Alfa Pendular (high-speed) Lisbon–Porto: €25–45. Lisbon–Faro (Algarve): €23–35. Regional trains are cheaper but slower.
Intercity buses: Rede Expressos connects most cities. Lisbon–Porto by bus: €19–25. Often slightly cheaper than trains.
Car rental: €25–45/day for a small car. Petrol is €1.65–1.85/litre. A week with a rental car (including fuel) runs €220–350. Essential for Alentejo and Douro Valley.
Uber: Very affordable in Lisbon and Porto. A 15-minute urban ride costs €5–8.
Attractions
| Attraction | Price |
|---|---|
| Jerónimos Monastery | €15 |
| Tower of Belém | €8 |
| Pena Palace (Sintra) | €21 |
| Quinta da Regaleira | €12 |
| Museu do Azulejo | €8 |
| LX Factory Sunday market | Free |
| MAAT Museum | €9 |
| National Museum (Lisbon) | €7 |
| Port wine lodge tour + tasting | €15–22 |
| Benagil sea caves boat tour | €20–30 |
Free options: Most beaches, all national parks, miradouros/viewpoints, most churches, Sunday mornings at national museums.
Sample 7-Day Budget
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | €175 | €560 | €980 |
| Food | €175 | €350 | €560 |
| Transport | €130 | €200 | €280 |
| Attractions | €40 | €80 | €120 |
| Extras/drink | €70 | €130 | €210 |
| Total (per person) | €590 | €1,320 | €2,150 |
Money-Saving Tips
- Eat your main meal at lunch — the prato do dia offers the best value in any restaurant
- Coffee culture is cheap: drink standing at the bar (cheaper) rather than sitting
- Book trains in advance — Alfa Pendular prices spike close to travel dates
- Sunday mornings at national museums are free
- The Alentejo is significantly cheaper than Lisbon or the Algarve
- Self-catering in an Airbnb for groups of 3–4 slashes per-person accommodation costs dramatically
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