The Traveler
I am a single 27-year-old with a passion for travel that sparked as a child on family road trips. Working long shifts as a nurse provides scheduling flexibility to go on frequent adventures- which I take full advantage of. I'm always looking for adventure - domestically and internationally! I have now been to 49 states and 29 countries - and the list of what I hope to see continually grows. Portugal has a vibrant culture and diverse terrain (mountains, city, beach, etc.) that drew me in. I often travel solo but this time I brought two girls that I met while traveling in Italy and Greece. That being said, this trip would be safe and fun for the solo traveler as well! Portugal is also a great option for backpacking on a budget- it’s much more feasible than destinations such as Iceland or Switzerland (though they’re worth the splurge, in my opinion!).
The Itinerary
Here is my itinerary- I hope it inspires you to soak in the rich experiences of Portugal yourself!
Days 1 - 2: Porto
Our Airbnb was called “Mouzinho 244 Ap1 by Porto-Houses and Suites” and it was ideal- super central, safe, private, and very cozy!
My friends joined late so I ended up staying alone and exploring Porto myself- and I felt comfortable doing so. Here’s what I recommend: Avenida dos Aliados (pic 1), Dom Luís I Bridge (pic 3), Capela das Almas (pic 4), Sé do Porto (Porto Cathedral, pic 5), Jardins do Palácio de Cristal, Parque da Cidade do Porto, São Bento Railway Station, Monument Church Of St Francis, Lello Bookstore (the wait gets long- go early)
Day 3: Tomar
This Airbnb was spacious, private, and exactly what I wanted - for only $77 a night!
I recommend Igreja de São João Batista (pic 1), Convento De Cristo and Castelo De Tomar (pics 2, 4, 6), Aqueduto dos Pegões, Church Santa Maria dos Olivais, and I’ve heard good things about Seven Hills National Park!
Days 4-6: Lisbon + Sintra
We stayed in Lisbon at “Lisbon Brother's Rooms” in a 4-bed private room. This is a no-frills hostel centrally located for the budget-friendly traveler, with breakfast included!
Lisbon to do: Se Cathedral (Lisbon Cathedral, pic 1), Tram 28 (pic 2), Torre de Belém (Belem tower, pic 3), Alfama District, Rossio Square, Padrão dos Descobrimentos, and I’ve heard the Feira da Ladra flea market is great!
Sintra to do: Poço Iniciático (Initiation Wells) in Quinta da Regaleira, Monserrate Palace, Pena Palace (my favorite, pics 3-6; note: get there before 5 pm for a tuk-tuk taxi!)
Days 7 - 8: Lagos
This Airbnb was my favorite on the trip- and less than $50 a night! We could easily walk to the beaches and local restaurants.
Lagos to do: Praia do Camilo Beach, Ponta da Piedade, Praia da Marinha, Praia Do Carvalho, Praia de Benagil (cave tour- totally worth it! Pics 2-4). Some things I want to do next time: Lekki Conservation Centre, Lufasi Nature Park, and a kayak tour.
Days 9 - 11: Seville, Spain
I rented a guest room in Seville that is no longer available, but there are many reasonable options that look amazing! I felt very safe everywhere I went here.
Seville to do: Torre del Oro (pic 2), Casa de Pilatos, La Giralda, Royal Alcázar (pic 3-4), Convento de Santa Paula or Santa Inés, Barrio Santa Cruz, Maestranza Bullring (world’s largest, pic 5), Maria Luisa Park (pic 6-8), and Plaza de España (pic 9)
Food recommendations: Bodega Santa Cruz (tapas), Jalea Real, Horno de San Buenaventura (bakery), Los Gallos (flamenco dancing bar), Bodega Morales (winery)
Obviously, I wasn't able to see everything Portugal has to offer in such a short period of time. My goal for this trip was to catch major highlights and appreciate Portugal's diversity, which I felt the length of this trip was good for. That being said, I always wish I could travel longer and you can certainly see more if you stay longer- or skip Seville! I definitely would have loved to stay in Lagos on the beach for a couple of days more.
The Packing
I pack lightly and prefer to travel with a 60L backpack in Europe because of difficulty riding trains and walking on cobblestone streets with a suitcase. My trip was in early May and therefore warm- so I mostly packed shorts, skirts, and sandals. Don’t be like me- pack good walking shoes. Walking 5 miles a day on cobblestone in non-supportive sandals is cute- yes, but also painful. I’ve learned that Birkenstocks are a great shoe to travel in because they’re popular in Europe (so you don’t look like a tourist) and they also have decent support (break them in first!). I value local culture and do my very best to respect those around me. That being said, Portugal does not have a modesty dress code like some nearby countries (i.e. Morocco), so you can feel comfortable wearing that new bikini you bought last year before COVID ruined your plans. And bring sunscreen!
The Planning
I’m very laid back. I love trips where I just book hostels and train tickets as I go and have no itinerary! But since I planned this trip for myself and 2 others, I opted for a more organized methodology. I planned and booked about 8 months in advance, but I don’t think you necessarily need that much time. I always start with my flight- one way I save money is finding flights to anywhere in Europe for <$500 and then getting cheap flights from that location to where I want to go (or just plan my whole trip around where has a cheap flight at the time). For Portugal, I flew round trip to London for $450 and spent a few days exploring there as well!
The Locals
Locals were all helpful and friendly throughout my travels. I did encounter some Portuguese that did not speak Spanish or English but in general, this was not a major issue. I recommend you bring google translate or a Portuguese book along with you - my Spanish was not well understood! I'm sure that is in part because I'm still learning Spanish, but also the difference between Portuguese and Spanish was more significant than I anticipated.
The Food
So cheap, so tasty. Do not miss pastel de natas! They’re a signature pastry in Portugal and I ate them every day and now yearn for their creamy, flaky goodness. Drink all the sangria you can- a full pitcher was only $8-$10 and made in-house with fresh fruits. Lastly, tapas are gold here and allow you to try a variety of foods in smaller servings!
The Experience
The bright tile work, friendly locals, delicious food, and ease of travel made this one of my top backpacking experiences! I loved being able to see so much in such a short amount of time. Finding ways to get the best experience possible while being frugal is a challenge I adore, and Portugal is an amazing destination to do just that. I think Portugal is a good option for first-time backpackers as it is inexpensive and the train system is amazing. Let me know what you think, and share pics if you get to go!