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A backpacker’s guide to Portugal – a haven for foodies, adventurers and culture vultures.

From tanning on the golden beaches of the Algarve to swimming in lakes in the Serra de Estrela National Park to exploring the cobblestone streets of Lisbon and the canals of Aveiro, Portugal’s got something to suit everyone. Culture nerds, history buffs, explorers and sunseekers will all feel at home when backpacking Portugal. Often overlooked for its neighbour Spain, Portugal is definitely no longer under the radar. Make sure to put it on your bucket-list now before everyone else does!

Best time to visit Portugal

Portugal is blessed with pretty much year-round warmth and even its winters (November to March) still boast daily temperatures of around 16 degrees and less rainfall than other European nations. From April to October, it gets much hotter and it’s rare to see even a drop of rain. Its mild climate makes it ideal for backpacking at any time of the year but there are certain months that are better for certain activities.

Best time for…

Beaching

From May to September, the weather is at its hottest and sunniest which makes heading to the beach for a few days irresistible. To avoid too many crowds, plan your backpacking trip at the extreme ends of this period when the beaches won’t be brimming with families on their school holidays.

Sightseeing

If you’re more interested in soaking up the country’s historic, cultural and artistic sights, there’s no bad time to visit. You might find the cities more bearable when it’s not the height of summer and out of school holiday times which is when they’re typically less busy.

Festivals

If you want to tie your backpacking trip in with a great festival, Portugal certainly isn’t short of them. The biggest tend to fall in the summer, with music festivals like NOS Alive in Lisbon and NOS Primavera in Porto drawing in crowds with their world class headliners every June and July.

Some of the best Portuguese festivals focus on food and drink, with Lisbon’s June St Anthony Festival Feast being well-known for its sardines. In February, vibrant celebrations happen all over the country for Carnival, while Porto comes alive at the beginning of June for Serralves em Festa, a three day arts festival.

Partying

If it’s a chance to let your hair down that you’re craving, there’s not really a particular season for it in Portugal. Coastal party towns in the Algarve like Albufeira attract people all year round (but more so when it’s warm between April and October). Other celebratory seasons include Carnival in February and the Festival of the Saints in June that sees Lisbon’s streets host daily parties.

Weather in Portugal

By David Irvine

The weather in Portugal can get quite hot in the summer, especially towards the south. Sun-seekers love this while culture vultures will probably prefer autumn or spring. The climate also varies significantly between regions.

Weather in Lisbon

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Portugal’s capital and largest city lies towards the south of the country’s central region. Although locals will start complaining about the cold when the weather’s a balmy 16 degrees, the climate is quite comfortable all year-round. In the late autumn/winter, highs sit at an average of around 18-15 degrees celsius. Not ideal beach weather, but fine for exploring the city. However, the cold isn’t the main issue, it’s the rain. It tends to be heaviest between late autumn and early spring, steadily increasing from September onwards. The rainiest months being October, November, December and January. However, there can be periods of good weather can last into October and even early November, a phenomenon known as “St. Martin’s Summer”.

In the actual summer, from June to August, weeks can go by without a drop of rain. Perfect for catching the train out to the beach. When the sun’s out the city comes alive with many events taking place outdoors. The city is full of outdoor terraces and people relaxing in the sun at miradouros (viewpoints). However, as the tourists pour in, things get a bit crowded. Temperatures in June are in the early to mid 20s, and can soar into the 30s in August. If you like things a bit cooler think about heading in May or early September. Also bear in mind that in August, a lot of Portuguese people take their holidays, causing many restaurants and bars to close.

Weather in the Algarve/South

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The beautiful sandy beaches and azure blue seas of the Algarve make it a great spot for a relaxed seaside holiday. In fact, each year the region gets more sun than California. Again, the ideal time to visit will depend on how well you can tolerate heat: summer temperatures, while averaging in the mid to late 20s, can soar to over 30 in July and August, with rain in these months being almost non-existent. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that things can get a bit crowded at this time of year, especially in August, with a lot of Portuguese people heading to the region to spend their holidays.

If you think the summer temperatures would be a bit to much for you, it’s a good idea to visit in May, September or early October, when highs will be around the mid 20s. Bear in mind however, that there’s still a small possibility of a shower or two. And although temperatures are pretty comfortable all year, you might not get ideal beach weather in winter, when there’s a big risk of rain, peaking at 96mm in December.  Unlike Lisbon and Porto, which can get a bit breezy, winds in the Algarve are generally quite gentle, with the region being sheltered from the Atlantic wind.

Weather in Porto/The North

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In comparison to Lisbon and the south, the weather in Porto (and the north of Portugal more generally) is a bit cooler and wetter, particularly during winter. Rainfall can get as high as 120mm in December (compared to 96mm in the Algarve and 80mm in Lisbon). Because of the effects of the Atlantic, things can get a bit stormy, with strong winds. Temperatures are at their lowest in January (at around 13 degrees) and are a couple of degrees cooler than Lisbon or the Algarve). Much like the rest of the country, the wettest period is from November until March.

Despite all this, the climate in Porto is quite pleasant, especially if you’re used to the weather in the UK or Ireland. From May onwards, temperatures rise above 20, peaking at average highs of around 25 in August. Warm, but still comfortable for walking around. This makes Porto’s weather great for those who enjoy the sun, but don’t like intensely hot weather. In hotter periods the temperatures range from the mid-twenties to around thirty, perfect if you want to pop to the nearby coast for a surf. If you’d prefer things a little bit cooler, head in May or early Autumn- the weather is mild, with highs of between around twenty to twenty five degrees. But be warned, you may get the occasionally wet day.

Portugal visa requirements

By David Irvine

Portugal is part of the Schengen Common Travel Area. This means that if you’re in this zone, you can pass into any other Schengen countries* freely, without having to go through border checks. The UK and Ireland aren’t part of Schengen, so if you’re departing from there, this won’t apply. However, if you’re an EU citizen all you have to do is show your passport and you’ll be waved through at the border.

If you’re an Australian or US citizen things will be a little bit more complicated, but don’t fret! As mentioned above, if you’re already in a Schengen country you’ll be able to pop across the border without any checks. Bear in mind, however, that in emergency situations border checks may be reinstated. For this reason, it’s probably a good idea to have your passport on you when you’re crossing a border. You can find regularly updated info at the European Comission website.

Travelling from outside the Schengen zone is also pretty easy for US and Australian citizens. If you’re planning on staying within Schengen countries for less than 90 days, you won’t even need a visa, just a valid passport**. Once this time is up, you will have to stay out of it for 180 days or more before being allowed back in. EU citizens who have been in Portugal for 3 months need to register at the local town hall.

*Find out which countries are in the Schengen zone

**If you’re a US citizen your passport needs to be valid for at least three months from your planned date of return. If you’re an Australian, your passport should be valid for at least six months from your planned date of return.

Transportation in Portugal

By Kelly Barcus from No Man Before

Portugal may be small (it takes about five hours to drive from Faro along the southern coast to Porto up in the north), but it’s packed full of picturesque towns and could easily win the award for the most stunning coastline in Europe. Since you’ll want to spend your time getting lost in ancient city centers or basking in the sun, here are a few tips to make it easier to get from place to place within Portugal.

Trains around Portugal 

You can easily get around Portugal using the public train system, Comboios de Portugal. There are four types of services, going from cheapest to most expensive: Regional (R) trains make the most stops, Interregional (IR) are a bit faster, and Intercidade (IC) are Rápido or express trains. The Alfa Pendular Deluxe (AP) service is the fastest and the most expensive.

When you go to book a ticket, the service will be noted by the abbreviation. The journey on an IC train between Lisbon and Porto costs around €25 and takes about three hours, though there are special advance deals for as cheap as €10.

While plane tickets between Lisbon and Porto may be close in price, the train may actually end up saving you time because you don’t have to travel outside the city center to the airport or worry about getting through security.

As an added bonus, a number of Portugal’s train stations feature exceptional architecture and artwork. Don’t miss Lisbon’s modern Gare do Oriente with its metal and glass lattice covering, and São Bento in Porto, covered in traditional azulejo panels and often touted as the most beautiful train station in the world.

IC trains between Lisbon and Faro are around €21 and also take around three hours. Special deals (usually booked at least 8 days before travel) are around €10.

Planes around Portugal

Mainland Portugal’s compact size may be more suited to train travel, but you’ll need to catch a flight if you want to visit its islands. It is almost a two-hour flight from Lisbon to Madeira, and about two and a half hours to São Miguel, the largest island in the Azores archipelago. TAP Air Portugal, Ryanair and easyJet all make regular flights to the islands from Lisbon.

Buses around Portugal

Buses are another convenient way to travel through Portugal. Rede Expressos is the national network of buses, supplemented by local and regional bus companies. Expressos, the express coaches between major cities, are typically cheaper and a bit slower compared to the trains, but usually not by much. For example, a ticket between Lisbon and Porto costs € 19 and takes about three and a half hours. Lisbon to Faro costs € 18.50 with a journey time of around four hours. The bus routes are fairly wide reaching, so they’re great if you want to go beyond the common day trips from Lisbon or Porto, or for getting around the Algarve’s popular resort towns.

Renting a car in Portugal

Renting a car provides the most flexibility if you want to explore outside the bigger cities (I wouldn’t recommend driving in Lisbon or Porto), go deep into the countryside or enjoy the Algarve’s more remote beaches along Portugal’s western coast. Rental prices peak in the summer months (June, July and August), so book early or go off-season to find the best deals. If you’re renting for more than a few days, look for a weekly rate as it may be lower, and plan to go round trip as dropping off at a different location always means extra fees. Plus, don’t forget to have spare coins for the toll roads.

Getting around Lisbon

One of the things I love about Lisbon is that it’s incredibly walkable, so often the best mode of transportation is your own two feet. If you get tired of traipsing up and down the city’s seven hills, there are even a few funiculars and elevators, or ascensores, to help you get up the steepest ones. If you plan to venture a little further, never fear, because the ways to get around are almost endless.

The most convenient and cheapest way to pay for Lisbon’s public transit is to purchase a reusable Viva Viagem card (€ 0,50 for the card) at almost any train or metro station and load it with euros so you can use the “zapping” method. This pay-as-you-go method works for Lisbon’s historic yellow trams, buses and metro around the city, and even the train network to places like Cascais and Sintra.

If you want to use taxis to get around Lisbon, most are cream colored with the taxi signs on top. Taxis are less expensive than most other Western European capitals, but Uber is typically cheaper. If you want to catch an Uber from the airport into the city, the pickup is from the car rental area and costs about € 15 to get to the downtown area.

?@astaclivo

How much does a trip to Portugal cost?

By Laura Carniel (Hostelworld)

Portugal is great for a backpacker budget with affordable food, accommodation and travel costs. Compared to other countries in Europe, you will probably see your money go further in Portugal. Supporting local businesses and avoiding tourist traps is a great way of contributing to the local community but is also the best way to stay on a budget.

Currency in Portugal

As with most of the countries in the European Union, Portugal’s currency is the Euro. Compared to other European capitals, Lisbon is really affordable and great for a backpacker’s budget.

Cost of getting to Portugal

Flying in or out of Portugal is relatively affordable from other major European cities with regular flights from most destinations. Lisbon, Porto and Faro have the most direct routes. If you are flying in from outside of Europe, you may need to stop first at a larger hub like London, Barcelona or Paris and then fly onto Portugal.

If you are travelling to Portugal from Spain or France via train or coach you may find prices to be as expensive as flights and take far longer.

Average prices

At a local cafe 2.50 euros will get you a pastry and coffee. Bargain! In a touristy place, prices will be much higher. Look for small, family run spots with signs in Portuguese to have a more authentic local experience. They may look less modern than other places but we promise you, you’ll get the best food, it’ll be better for your wallet and you’ll be supporting the local community.

You can get some great value dinners for 15 to 20 euros and lunches are between 5 and 10 euros. Shopping for groceries and cooking in your hostel is a great way to save money. You can shop for a week’s worth of food for about 30 to 40 euros.

Most events and activities are fairly cheap with entrance costs often between 6 and 15 euros. Much of Portugal’s best attractions are free – the scenery, the lively atmosphere and the stunning architecture. Lisbon has a vibrant local music, art and cultural scene. You’ll come across a huge range of gigs, theatre and artistic exhibitions hosted by the local community, usually for only a small fee. Taking part in local community activities like this will give you a really authentic experience that’s much cheaper.

Cost of living in Portugal

If you decide to make Lisbon your base for an extended period of time, you can expect to pay 300-450 euros for a room in a shared house or 500-700 for a one-bedroom apartment. A monthly ticket for any kind of public transportation will cost about 36.20 euros per month, and you can expect to spend between 300-450 euros per month on entertainment and food.

In Porto, a room in a shared house will cost between 200 and 300 euros, and you can find one-bedroom apartments for as little as 450 euros. The transportation fares in Porto depend on the zones you travel between, but start at 30.30 euros a month; you can expect to spend between 500-600 euros on your monthly expenses, including rent.

Accommodation in Portugal

Portugal has plenty of affordable accommodation with great facilities in fantastic locations. Hostels are a great option and a fantastic way to meet new people, offering events such as pub crawls, dinners and city tours. Many have bars and terraces where you can kick back and soak up the Portuguese sun, bike rentals for exploring the surrounds and surfboard rentals when you’re staying near the coast.

Aveiro Rossio hostel in Aveiro

One of the great things about staying in hostels is the chance to meet like-minded travellers and friendly staff. In Portugal, hostels are often run by locals, with friendly staff who want to show you their local area. Hostels also support the local community as holiday lets have been responsible for driving up rents and pushing locals out of many inner-city areas, particularly in Lisbon.

Lisbon has really electric neighbourhoods that can be great for partying (Bairro Alto), perfect for history (Mouraria) or ideal for creatives (Intendente). Choose a neighbourhood to stay in based on your holiday vibe. Lisbon is also home to some of the most luxe hostels around, that feel more like boutique hotels than hostels. So if you’ve been travelling for a while and just need a bit of TLC, Lisbon hostels have great amenities, beautiful decor and affordable private rooms and bathrooms.

Yes hostel in Lisbon

There is a wide network of hostels in Portugal with lots of options in popular destinations such as Porto, The Algarve, central Portugal, Lisbon, Madeira Island and Açores.

Check out our guide to hostels throughout Portugal to plan your perfect trip.