Lisbon, Portugal’s pretty capital city has all of the charm and historical / cultural interest of other European capitals without all the pomp and ceremony. There is something irresistibly old fashioned about Lisbon’s winding back streets, picturesque yellow trams and cafe terraces where locals chat over a glass of wine in true Mediterranean style. Lisbon is also a particularly leafy, green city with plenty of attractive, natural spots where you can enjoy the lovely, mild, local climate. Sticking to a budget in Lisbon is not as hard as it may be elsewhere, so I’ve put together some ideas on how to make the most of this charming city if you are travelling on a shoestring.
For free sunshine and pleasant surroundings, there is the Jardim da Estrela which is a garden surrounded by parks and the Basilica da Estrela. Entry is free and this is a wonderful place for romantic walks, picnics or for those interested in seeing the local flora at its best.
The incredibly pretty old town of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is just a short train ride away and a favourite with day trippers from the big city. There are palaces and other tourist attractions which you can pay to visit in Sintra, but you don’t really need to spend a penny to visit the town if you don’t want to; you’ll just need your train fare.
Visit the old neighbourhoods of Bairro Alto and Chiado on the hilltops for a taste of Lisbon’s nightlife or just to stroll around the pretty streets, enjoy some typical local pastries and coffee and the views over the city. These neighbourhoods are also a good option for inexpensive accommodation in Lisbon if you do your homework.
Most museums are fairly cheap in Lisbon and many offer free entry on Sundays until 2pm. Some of the top museums are the Museu Nacional de Arqueologia, Museu Calouste Gulbenkian and Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga.
The Lisboa Card allows you free entry to museums and free public transport. You can get a 24, 48 or 72 hour card depending on how long you are staying and how much sightseeing you intend to do. You can ask about this card at your hotel or at any tourist information point in the city, there is no need to buy it in advance.
Remember that the beach is not far away too and is always a safe bet for a wonderful, budget day out in Portugal!
