To get to Portugal, it does not necessarily have to empty your wallet. Portugal with its enchanting cities, amazing beaches, tasty food and famous history is one of the greatest value destinations in Europe. Thinking about longer vacation or a small one, you can wander the beauty of this country without wasting your money. Residents of the UAE should head to Apply for Portugal visa in Dubai and make taking off with more ease. So you have that sorted and you want your ultimate guide of exploring Portugal on the cheap.
1. Timing When-to Travel
The simplest tip that can help one save money in Portugal is to stay away during peak travel periods. Hot and sunny months (JuneC86 August) have more expensive airfare, hotels and attractions. Rather, think of traveling to the Soviet Union at those shoulder times, in spring (April-May) and fall (September -October). You will have good weather, less crowds, and less cost related to the accommodation and transportation.
2. Cheap Place to stay
There are different affordable accommodation opportunities in Portugal. Cities such as Lisbon, Porto and Faro have quite modern clean hostels which may provide breakfast as well. Are you more discreet? Guesthouses or cheap hotels may come in handy, and could even be surprisingly cheap. Your last-minute hotel apps can also enable you to have good deals when you book in advance.
3. Take the Bus
Transportation in Portugal is reliable and it is cheap, especially the transport between the cities. Most of the large cities and tourism destination are linked by buses, trams, and metro services. Trains are convenient and fairly affordable when travelling between cities, not to mention that, when purchasing tickets online through the official CP (Comboios de Portugal) site in advance, prices are even more affordable. Walking is also quite an excellent method to travel and enjoy beautiful neighborhoods in cities such as Lisbon and Porto saving some money.
4. Food Like a Local
It is not necessary to spend much money on going out to a restaurant in Portugal. Forget the tourist traps and seek out the local tascas (family run dishes) where you can combine popular Portuguese foods such as bacalhau (codfish), caldo verde (green soup) and sardines grilled at a quarter of the cost. A large number of food outlets have a special lunch called “prato do dia” (dish of the day) consisting of main course, drink and dessert at a reasonable price.
5. Get Free Attractions Take Advantage of
It is not the country of paid attractions. Portugal is rich in sights offering you nothing in exchange. Walk through old sections of the city such as Alfama in Lisbon or even Ribeira in Porto. There are numerous churches, parks, and panoramas that a visitor can visit without costs. Some days, museums and monuments are free of charge--check their schedules in advance and plan your visit either on those particular days or any day.
6. Visit off-the-Beaten Tourist Spots
Although the main touristic destinations are Lisbon, Porto, and Algarve, it can be cheap and fruitful to explore smaller towns and villages. Cities such as Evora, Coimbra and Obidos are a used as an alternative to cities whether culturally rich but not overpriced with tourist dollars in their pockets. In these neighborhoods, you will also get cheaper accommodation and genuine foodstuffs.
7. Wise Book Activities
Should you wish to book guided tour or an excursion service, make comparisons online. Large numbers of the walking tours are unrestricted or tipper supported. Douro valley boasts of reasonable wine tasting to wine enthusiasts when you visit smaller wineries operated by families. Other cheap things that can be done in an outdoor setting consist of hiking, having fun on the beach, and visiting nature reserves.
8. Promotions Discount Cards and Passes
Most Portuguese cities can give you a tourist card that gives unlimited using of the public transport, free or reduced tickets to major attractions. An example is the Lisbon Card or Porto Card that would save you a lot of money when you want to visit a number of the sights in a short span.
9. Shop Smart
Bargaining, usually available in the busy tourist regions, will be unsuccessful, as the marketers will present increased prices in case you want to carry souvenirs home with you. Rather read local markets where you will get handicrafts, pottery and fabrics at reasonable prices.
10. Plan Budget Your Trip
To start with, establish a daily forecast of expenses on accommodation, food, transport and activities before you leave. The presence of a spending plan will keep your avoiding unnecessary expenses and guarantee that you will enjoy your trip without experiencing any financial burden.
Final Thoughts
Portugal is evidence that you should not rank traveling experiences available to people in the world by the prices. It has it all; beautiful seaside towns, bustling cities, and tasty food and you can visit all this without having to spend all your savings-provided you plan it well. If you are traveling alone, by couple, or with a family, the tricks mentioned will enable you to get the most out of your trip with little expenditure.
According to the UAE residents that want to travel to this beautiful European jewel, acquiring the appropriate visa is the initial step. To make your experience a smooth one then it is a good idea to apply for your Portugal visa travel with Go Kite Travel, your trusted travel agent that will take care of your visa and make your trip an enjoyable, memorable experience.