Where are the best budget destinations in Portugal? (2023)

FAQs

Where is the cheapest place to visit in Portugal? ›

Low season months of November to March are a cheaper time to visit. If you want to escape the crowds and enjoy rock-bottom prices on accommodations, plan your trip for the low season. Many museums and other attractions keep shorter hours, though you'll still find a full lineup of performances in cities and bigger towns ...

Lisbon and Porto are the largest and most famous cities in Portugal. This popularity increases the cost of living in both towns compared to the rest of the country. However, Lisbon is known to be more expensive than Porto. The below chart will give you an idea of the expenses in both cities.

Portugal is cheaper than Italy, particularly when it comes to eating out. Overall, Portugal is a cheaper place to buy and rent property, however some parts of Portugal (like Lisbon) are above average in terms of cost.

Spend at Least 10 Days in Portugal

Most travelers automatically plan for a week-long vacation. Seven days to spend in Portugal gives you enough time to see some of the country, but you'll probably miss a lot of things when you only have a week.

Compared to the UK or any other EU country, Portugal has quite an affordable cost of living. For the Algarve region, with a monthly budget of €1,200-€1,500, you can live quite comfortably.

When is the best time to visit Portugal? Where is this? The best time to visit Portugal is in spring (March-May), when the country is in bloom and waking after the winter. You could also go in fall (between September and October) when the sun is still shining, the weather is warm, and many of the crowds have dispersed.

What is the cheapest time of year to fly to Portugal from US? ›

High season is considered to be July and August. The cheapest month to fly to Portugal is November. Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest Portugal flight deals.

English is widely spoken in Portugal, especially in the larger cities and in the Algarve. Plenty of foreigners live comfortably and reasonably efficiently speaking only in English. (In fact, it can be difficult to find a Portuguese who will speak to you in Portuguese.)

This statistic displays the average monthly rainfall in Portugal over the past 20 years. It shows that over the past twenty years the month with the highest average rainfall has been January, with an average rainfall of 171.5 mm. On average, August has been the driest month.

Lisbon has more tourist attractions, sights, and museums

While Porto has some worthwhile cathedrals and sights (like the Harry Potteresque bookstore), Porto is more about enjoying the city, strolling the streets, taking in views, and tasting Port wine at the Port lodges. Lisbon wins the Lisbon vs.

They're two of the most beautiful cities in Portugal (making them two of the best Portuguese cities to visit). Still, Lisbon is the capital city. With more tourist attractions, there's more to do and see overall. So by default, the winner is Lisbon.

According to data from Numbeo, Portugal is cheaper than Costa Rica on many fronts. To put this into perspective, consumer prices in Costa Rica without rent are 15% higher than in Portugal. Also, the cost of groceries is about 35% higher in Costa Rica.

Portugal is actually considered one of the most affordable countries in Western Europe and is an average of 50 percent cheaper than living in the United States.

Can you live in Portugal for $1000 a month? Yes, if you live frugally, you should be able to live on $1000 a month in Portugal. However, it may not be possible if you live in Lisbon as costs are increasing, and rental costs are now quite high. If you want to live comfortably in the country, we would recommend €1,200.

Portugal is cheaper to live in than the US. Just about everything, healthcare, groceries, transportation, and properties are available at a reasonable price. In Lisbon, rent for a property is 46.37%, consumer prices are 37.8%, and restaurant prices are 57.21% lower than in Washington, DC.

While the cost of living in Greece is higher than in Portugal, it is still less than in other European countries. Even the tax laws are favorable for retirees, but we'll get into more details later on in the article.

Is it cheaper to vacation in Portugal or Spain? ›

Generally speaking, Portugal is cheaper than Spain, although the flight there will likely be the most expensive part of your Portugal vacation.

Cost of living in Spain vs Portugal

Spain and Portugal have very similar cost of living. While Portugal tends to be on the cheaper side for most things, it's also possible to have a cheaper cost of living in some Spanish cities.

A car is not needed in Lisbon and Porto but there are lots of other amazing places to explore in Portugal. Once you go outside Lisbon and Porto public transportation options are limited. If you want full freedom to explore any area that interests you, then a car rental is really the best option.

Portugal is not a large country and you can get almost everywhere easily and efficiently by train or bus. Regional trains are often cheaper and some lines very scenic, but it's almost always quicker to go by bus – especially on shorter or less obvious routes.

The Algarve is a popular tourist destination because it has beautiful views, sandy beaches, and a warm climate. People from all over the world come to visit this area in Portugal.

The Algarve is the beautiful southern coastline of Portugal. It is a region blessed with glorious sandy beaches, picturesque fishing towns and a glorious climate, all of which combine to create the perfect holiday destination.

The Algarve region, at the southern end of Portugal, is famous for its amazing coastline and beautiful beaches. Its natural wonders are the star attractions, including great surfing spots, towering cliffs, hidden bays and bird-filled lagoons.

What is the most visited city in Portugal? ›

1. Lisbon, the Portuguese capital and one of the oldest cities in the world. Lisbon is the most popular place among travellers and the state's capital.

The hurricane season usually lasts from early June to late November. Portugal has certainly been affected by the foothills of several hurricanes, but during the past 12 months no hurricane reached the inhabited areas on land.

If you enjoy hot perfect sunny days the best time to visit Portugal is between June and August. The hottest month of the year is July with an average daily maximum of 30 C and an average low of 22 C. The coolest month of the year is February with an average daily maximum of 16 C and an average low of 10 C.

July to September are the warmest months, meaning the water temperatures will be the most ideal, too. For travellers who prefer comfortable swimming conditions, plan a trip to the Algarve, the Azores or Madeira during the summer when the water temperatures are slightly warmer.

Bacalhau, which translates to cod in English, is Portugal's national dish, a symbol of the country's identity, and one of the most popular foods in restaurants across the country. Bacalhau is such a go-to staple in Portuguese cuisine that it even has an endearing nickname: fiel amigo, or faithful friend.

Évora, capital of the Alentejo region, was once the seat of the Kings of Portugal and today its rich cultural heritage is plain to see.

The best round-trip flight price to Portugal from United States in the last 72 hours is $387 (Newark to Porto). The fastest flight to Portugal from United States takes 9h 30m (Boston Logan Intl to Lisbon Humberto Delgado). There are 5 airlines operating flights to Portugal, including Delta, SWISS and Azores Airlines.

If you are planning to travel to Portugal on a tourist or business trip for a period not to exceed 90 days, you do not need to apply for a visa. You are required to be in possession of a U.S. passport, valid for a minimum of three months beyond the length of your stay.

U.S. citizens may enter Portugal for up to 90 days for tourism or business without a visa. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay. If you plan on transiting a Schengen country, review our U.S. Travelers in Europe page.

Brits are the biggest expat group in Portugal, and have been for many years. The majority live in and around the Algarve, but you'll also find people of other Brits in places like Lisbon, Cascais, Porto, and Madeira.

Is Uber in Portugal? ›

The good news is that Uber is available in Portugal. You can also use your Uber account from your country in Portugal without any problems.

Porto's second city is never one to be outdone by Lisbon, and for a number of years has been the city where the most English is spoken in Portugal.

January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 52ºF (11ºC). It's rare for it to get colder than 41ºF (5ºC). In summer, the warmest month is July with average temperatures of 74ºF (24ºC). However, it can get much hotter with temperatures over 86ºF (30ºC) and lows of 62ºF (17ºC).

Portugal tends to be a humid country as the Atlantic climate predominates in most of the country. Most of Portugal is located in the humid zone of the Iberian peninsula, predominantly the northwest, which is rainy and humid.

According to data from Numbeo, Portugal is cheaper than Costa Rica on many fronts. To put this into perspective, consumer prices in Costa Rica without rent are 15% higher than in Portugal. Also, the cost of groceries is about 35% higher in Costa Rica.

Generally speaking, Portugal is cheaper than Spain, although the flight there will likely be the most expensive part of your Portugal vacation. A standard flight from North America to Lisbon in May will cost around $1,200 to $1,300CAD for a round trip.

Lisbon offers some of the most popular tourist attractions, museums, and sights in Portugal. While Porto has some worthwhile cathedrals and sights (like the Harry Potteresque bookstore), Porto is more about enjoying the city, strolling the streets, taking in views, and tasting Port wine at the Port lodges.

Portugal is one of the most affordable countries in Western Europe, with food available at affordable prices, cheap options for accommodation, and reasonable costs for transport. It's not surprising, then, that so many American expats are making this beautiful country their home.

In comparing the cost of living between Portugal and the USA, Numbeo found that the consumer prices (including rent) in Portugal are 74.9 percent lower than in the USA. Rent prices in Portugal are 112.3 percent lower, restaurant prices are 78.7 percent lower, and grocery prices are 96.6 percent lower than in the USA.

The average cost of living in Italy ($1320) is 23% more expensive than in Portugal ($1073). Italy ranked 36th vs 57th for Portugal in the list of the most expensive countries in the world. The average after-tax salary is enough to cover living expenses for 1.3 months in Italy compared to 1 months in Portugal.

Why retire to Portugal? ›

Portugal is home to over half a million foreigners from around the world. Retirement in Portugal can be an affordable adventure, safe from gun violence, with low cost, excellent healthcare, year-round mild weather, and plenty of friends just waiting to meet you.

Winner: The Algarve. There's no way a city can compete with a region that offers some of the top beaches in Europe!

The direct high-speed train “Alfa Pendular” is the fastest, making the journey between Lisbon and Porto in less than three hours (between two hours and 49 minutes and two hours and 56 minutes). The direct Intercity train takes a little longer: three hours and 15 minutes.

Porto is home to centuries-old architecture, intricately tiled churches and buildings, and some of the best food and drink in Europe. As a bonus, Porto makes a great spot for a beach holiday too. Porto is a vital port of trade between the fertile valleys of Northern Portugal and the rest of the world.

The cost of food is lower in Portugal because the average wage is lower than in places like the US. The typical worker in Portugal makes about €925 per month (based on 2019 figures). That works out to a little over $12,000/year.

The cost of living is relatively cheaper in Portugal compared to France, not to mention the warm climate that is appealing to most expats. The Portuguese government also has several tax incentives to make life bearable for anyone who migrates to Portugal.

Firstly, the Global Peace Index 2021 ranks Portugal as the fourth-safest country to live in, while Italy is ranked at thirty-two. Of course, this doesn't mean Italy is completely unsafe, but an environment where you don't have to worry about your safety is an added benefit for older people.