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Portugal is home to a beautiful Atlantic coastline, home to some of Europe’s most beautiful beaches, ancient cities whose origins have been lost to time, and a highly regarded food culture. one of the trendiest destinations for tourists across the pond.
Not only is it everything you’d expect from a southern European country, in terms of cultural offerings and weather, but it’s also known for being the cheapest of the bunch: it costs a average $1,033 for a week of sunbathing and enjoying your way through Portugal.
If the Iberian gem has been on your radar for a while, and you’re wondering which Portuguese destinations will give you more bang for your buck – and blow your mind – these are 4 of the cheapest (and most incredible) places:
Albufeira
The main tourist destination in the sunny Algarve, the southernmost territory of mainland Portugal, Albufeira is nicknamed ‘Portuguese Santorini‘, because of its whitewashed old town that rests on small cliffs overlooking the ocean, and its bright blue shutters and doors.
Albufeira is both the entertainment capital of the Algarve and the gateway to the sandy coast.
It’s teeming with tourists all year round, mainly British and Northern Europeans, and for a resort area this vibrant and well-visited, you’d assume prices would reflect the rising demand.
That’s not necessarily the case as tourists spend average $1,305 for a week in Albufeira: the Velamar boutique hotel costs just $75 to book per night, while an overnight stay at the adults-only Hotel California Urban Beach will set you back an acceptable $132.
Of course you can go the all-inclusive resort or luxury restaurant route (there are plenty of those in Albufeira if you like to spend money), but if you’re looking for a budget-friendly beach holiday then you’ll definitely find it here if it’s It’s great that you are not pampered 24/7.
Porto Santo
At this point we’ve all heard of Madeira, the ‘Hawaii of Europe’, but very little is said about it Maldives-esque sisterthe neighboring one, much smaller Porto Santopart of the same archipelago, where the beaches are sandy instead of pebbles and the ocean is turquoise blue.
Porto Santo is a natural oasis in the Atlantic Ocean, famous for its translucent waters, which rival the Indian Ocean in beauty, dramatic arid landscapes, year-round balmy weather due to its proximity to the African continent, and a relaxing atmosphere.
Although Madeira has become a globalized island, home to multiple nationalities and non-stop flights from America, Porto Santo is a lot more isolatedwhich is served by a limited number of flights within Europe and ferries to Madeira.
It’s a place you go to relax and enjoy nature, and for a destination as exclusive as this, you might be surprised to hear that you can find dorm rooms for as little as $29, just 450 meters away from the beach, and double rooms in three-star hotels for one very reasonable $93.
The average hotel cost for a week’s stay in Porto Santo is an affordable $744.
It’s not exactly cheap by Portuguese standards, but considering the complete lack of tourist crowds, the quality of the beaches and the unlimited access to the wild nature, it’s a fair trade-off.
Braga
Back to the Portuguese mainland, miles away from the resort-filled coast and sunny islands, Braga is one historical city in the far north of the country, accessible only by train and mainly known for its religious importance medieval heritage.
An imposing cathedral dominates the cobbled Old Town, and the adjacent Sacred Art Museum and Grade II listed Kings’ Chapel, which stands out as a textbook example of Gothic architecture, are sure to captivate history buffs.
Other sights include well-preserved ancient walls, a neoclassical church atop a staircase, possibly the most photographed in Portugal, and the lush Santa Barbara Garden, with its flower arrangements, and the nearby, monumental Archbishop’s Palace.
Luckily for the culture seekers, Braga is quite affordable for a historically charged city trip of its status, with stays of a week setting travelers back $786 or a remarkably cheap $380 if you stay in shared dorms and eat at cheap local restaurants pastelarias.
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The capital of Northern Portugal, the city of Porto, has been attracting passers-by with its beauty for years Historic center that is on the UNESCO World Heritage ListThe age-old tradition of wine making and the fast-flowing Douro River, which cuts through the heart, are an endless source of fascination.
Among some of the most important Portenho Places of interest, perhaps the most striking is the Clerigos Tower, which rises above the maze of terracotta roofs below, although the iconic Dom Luis I Bridge, the Lello Library, known to have inspired the Harry Potter saga, and the cathedral should not be missed either.
It’s the only other Portuguese city that can rival Lisbon: it has Baroque churches that are just as ornate, a history that is just as old, and a equally vibrant multicultural scene.
With all the value it offers, the $59 per day you spend visiting Porto on a budget sounds like a lot. absolute bargain.
From traditional Portuguese pastries that cost less than a dollar to satisfying $16 lunch menus that include a starter or dessert and a main course, exploring hilly, colorful Porto and the wider, vineyard-studded Douro Valley will hardly be worth it .
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
