Western Europe

Portugal

Portugal is the rare Western European country where a real budget trip is possible — cheap wine, affordable hostels, and stunning coastline without the price tag of its neighbors.

A vintage red tram passing the Praça do Comércio in Lisbon, Portugal

Portugal quietly remains one of the most affordable countries in Western Europe, especially outside Lisbon and Porto’s peak summer months.

Why it’s cheap

A glass of local wine can cost less than bottled water, and a full “prato do dia” (dish of the day) lunch often runs €7–9. Hostels are plentiful, high quality, and cheap compared to the rest of Western Europe.

Getting around

Trains and intercity buses connect Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve for €10–25, and regional trains make day trips to towns like Sintra or Évora cheap and easy.

Where budget meets comfort

Porto and Coimbra offer boutique hostels with genuine character for €20–30 a night — a fraction of comparable stays in Paris or Amsterdam.