Backpacking Portugal: Route and Budget Tips

Portugal is one of Western Europe’s best countries for backpacking: affordable, safe and compact, with excellent hostels, cheap trains and buses, and a social scene in Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve. Here’s how to backpack Portugal, with a suggested route and money-saving tips.

Quick answer: a classic 2 to 3 week route is Porto, then Coimbra or Aveiro, Lisbon with Sintra, then down to the Algarve (Lagos) and up the wild Costa Vicentina. Stay in hostels, travel by train and bus, eat the prato do dia (dish of the day) at lunch, and join free walking tours.

Why backpack Portugal

The country is small, so you spend more time exploring and less time on buses. Lisbon and Porto have some of Europe’s best-rated hostels, many with family dinners, pub crawls and walking tours that make it easy to meet people. English is widely spoken in cities. You can go from city streets to surf beaches and cliff-top trails in a few hours.

Suggested route

1. Porto (3 days): Ribeira, port cellars and a Douro day trip. Climb to the viewpoints, cross the Dom Luís I Bridge on foot and try a francesinha sandwich. See the best hostels in Porto.
2. Coimbra or Aveiro (1 day): on the way south. Coimbra has the old university and its famous library. Aveiro is about an hour from Porto by train, with canals and colourful moliceiro boats. See Coimbra.
3. Lisbon (4 days): with a day in Sintra. Spend your days in Alfama, Belém and the viewpoints, and your nights in Bairro Alto. Sintra is about 40 minutes by train from Rossio station. See the best hostels in Lisbon.
4. Lagos (3 to 4 days): beaches, kayaking and nightlife. Kayak to the sea caves at Ponta da Piedade and spend lazy afternoons on the coves. See where to stay in Lagos.
5. The Costa Vicentina (2 to 4 days): surf and hiking. Base yourself in Aljezur, Odeceixe or Vila Nova de Milfontes and walk sections of the Fishermen’s Trail along the cliffs. See Costa Vicentina.

Short on time? Cut Coimbra and the Costa Vicentina for a tight 10-day loop of Porto, Lisbon and Lagos.

Things to know along the way

• Coimbra: fast trains stop at Coimbra-B, outside the centre, since the old Coimbra-A station closed in January 2025. Take the bus link or the Metrobus into town.
• Lisbon: the Santa Justa lift and the Glória, Bica and Lavra funiculars have been closed since September 2025, so expect to walk the hills.
• Sintra: Pena Palace tickets are for a set date and time, so book a day or two ahead in busy months.
• Benagil: if you head east from Lagos, you can’t swim to the famous cave or land on its beach. Kayaks are only allowed with a licensed guide.

Getting around

• Porto to Lisbon: CP’s fast Alfa Pendular and Intercidades trains take about three hours. Coimbra is on the same line, so it’s an easy stop.
• Lisbon to Lagos: about four hours by train with a change at Tunes, or a similar time by direct Rede Expressos or FlixBus coach.
• The Costa Vicentina: there’s no railway, so you rely on local buses, which can be infrequent. Check timetables in advance, especially outside summer.
• Cities: Lisbon and Porto both have metros and rechargeable transport cards. See Portugal without a car.
• Rail passes: Interrail covers CP trains, but the fast trains still need a paid seat reservation. For a short trip in Portugal only, single tickets bought in advance are often cheaper.

Hostel tips

• Book ahead in summer: the best-rated hostels in Lisbon, Porto and Lagos fill up from June to September.
• Bring a padlock: most dorms have lockers, but not all supply locks.
• Check the location: a hostel at the top of a steep hill in Lisbon or Porto can be hard work with a heavy pack.
• Tourist tax: Lisbon, Porto and many other places add a small per-night charge, often paid on arrival.

Money-saving tips

• Prato do dia: set lunch menus at local tascas are great value.
• Free walking tours: see Lisbon walking tours.
• Book trains early for cheaper fares. See the train guide.
• Buses are often cheapest. See Portugal by bus.
• Supermarkets for picnics and drinks.
• Free sights: see free things to do in Lisbon.
• Hostel kitchens: cook breakfast and the odd dinner yourself.
• Free museum days: some museums offer free entry on certain days for residents only, so check the rules before you go.

Cheap eats to try

• Bifana: a pork sandwich, cheap and filling. See bifanas and pregos.
• Pastel de nata: the custard tart, often with a bica (espresso).
• Grilled sardines: a summer favourite, especially in June.
• Bacalhau: salt cod, cooked in endless ways.
• Francesinha: Porto’s big meat-and-cheese sandwich in beer sauce.

When to go

Spring and autumn are the sweet spot: warm enough for the beach by late May, hostels are cheaper, and the trails are pleasant for walking. June is festival month. Lisbon’s Santo António party peaks on the night of 12 June, and Porto’s São João fills the streets on the night of 23 June. Both are free, loud and a lot of fun, but beds sell out early. See the Santo António festival. Winter is quiet and mild, though the Algarve party scene mostly shuts down.

Practical tips

• Season: spring and autumn are cheaper and less crowded. July and August are busy, and Algarve hostels fill up fast.
• Safety: watch for pickpockets in busy areas. See is Portugal safe?
• Street sellers: people offering “hashish” in Lisbon’s Baixa are selling fakes. Just say no and walk on.
• SIM: see the best eSIM for Portugal.
• Solo: see solo travel in Portugal.
• Shoes: bring comfortable shoes with grip. The cobbles are steep and slippery.

FAQ

Is Portugal good for solo backpackers?

Yes. It’s safe, English is widely spoken in cities, and the hostels in Lisbon, Porto and Lagos make it easy to meet other travellers.

How long do you need to backpack Portugal?

Two to three weeks lets you cover Porto, Lisbon, the Algarve and the Costa Vicentina at a relaxed pace. With ten days, stick to Porto, Lisbon and Lagos.

Is it cheaper to travel by bus or train?

Buses are often cheaper, especially when booked early, and go direct to places like Lagos. Trains are faster between Porto and Lisbon, and advance fares can be good value too.

Is Portugal expensive for backpackers?

It’s one of the cheaper countries in Western Europe, though Lisbon and the Algarve in summer cost more. Hostels, set lunches and buses keep daily costs down.

More: Portugal on a budget and Portugal trip costs.

See also: Interrail and rail passes in Portugal.

Prices and details change, so please double-check before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the groups.