People say traveling is an expensive pleasure, so avoid planning trips to many European countries, like France, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Greece, Finland, etc., but if they try to take advantage of off-season discounts of airfares and hotels, they will surely enjoy a budget holiday without burning a hole in your wallet.
Portugal with its fascinating capital Lisbon – the westernmost capital in mainland Europe located on the Atlantic Ocean coast, at the very point where the river Tagus flows into the ocean, is no exception that still remains one of the least expensive places to travel in Europe, maybe due to its location off the main tourist trail.
Here the weather is warm, pleasant and sunny, there are magnificent attractions and interesting sites, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites and gorgeous beaches, lovely, relaxed restaurants and bars, beautiful gardens and parks, excellent choice of accommodation options to suit any budget, plus the country has no shortage of adventurous things to do that will keep you busy during your stay. During the high season Lisbon budget travelers can get by on approximately 25-30 Euros per day, not including restaurant meals and during off-season discounts, you could eat and sleep for about 50 to 70 Euros for two per day. Always be sure to ask your hotel’s staff for information and tips about things to see and do in Lisbon.
There are many different ways to enjoy Lisbon for free, including many museums and art galleries, wonderful parks and amazing basilicas, festivals and public holidays. One favorite is Jardim da Estrela – a delightful garden surrounded by parks, boasting an endless variety of exotic plants and trees, a small duck-dotted lake, a pond-side café and children’s playground. This is an ideal place to sit and relax and take a breath from the stress of being a tourist.
You will also save a lot if you plan to lay low during the week and hit the major sites and museums on Sundays. For instance, such museums as Gulbenkian Museum, Maritime Museum, Museum of Ancient Art and the National Tile Museum are only open free for a few hours every Sunday. Other famous free hotspots in Lisbon include the famous waterfront neighborhood of with some of the city’s most important monuments, museums and landmarks, including the fascinating Belem Tower and Monastery of the Hieronymites; Parque de Sao Pedro de Alcantara and Parque Principal Real. Budget travelers can also unwind in one of Lisbon’s many beaches in the seaside town of Cascais which was once a fishing village.
Lisbon is home to a wide range of economically priced accommodation options with simple but decent guestrooms, featuring tasteful furniture and fundamental room amenities to make your stay pleasant. Here are some of the best budget hotels in Lisbon: Hotel Botanico, Travel Park Hotel, Hotel vip Zurique, P. Residencial Princesa and others.
With its Moorish, Roman and Modern European architectural wonders, Lisbon is like many-cities-in-one, featuring scenes that rival any world capital. Take advantage of Lisbon’s free sights and its myriad of cultural activities and you’ll experience a great Lisbon holiday without breaking the bank!
