This fact has driven the traditionally low prices up, but despite this boom, eating well in the city has stayed very affordable compared to other European capitals.

With these tips by Lisbon locals, you’ll be sure to find really cheap eats whether you want classic Portuguese bites or cuisine of an international variety.

More Lisbon tips:
• When is the best time to visit Lisbon?
• The top budget hotels in Lisbon for 2018
• Lisbon: The best free attractions and things to do

5 Spots for cheap dining in Lisbon

We’ve written about how to save on dining in Lisbon, and now our friends at Spotted By Locals have come up with five restaurants where you can always eat for cheap.

As Bifanas do Afonso

Rua da Madalena 146

Having a bifana is part of experiencing Lisbon, and while there are plenty of places that offer this beloved Portuguese sandwich, many agree that As Bifanas do Afonso has some of the best, with pork tenderloin cooked in a sauce of white wine, garlic, laurel, and red pepper powder. Bifanas go perfectly with “imperial” beer — a 250ml glass and a sandwich together won’t set you back more than €5.

Accommodations: Search for hotels under $100 per night in Lisbon

Pastelaria Aloma

Rua Francisco Metrass 67

Another supremely Portuguese classic is the emblematic pastel de nata, or egg custard tart. It’s virtually impossible to walk through Lisbon without running into multiple ‘cakeshops’ that sell this pastry, but local Nuno swears that you won’t know a real one before you try Pastelaria Aloma‘s, which by the way, won the award for the town’s best natas in 2012, ’13 and ’15. Served warm straight from the oven and going for a modest €1.20 a piece, make sure you never refuse cinnamon when asked.

Feel Rio

Rua do Crucifixo 108

One of the exciting aspects of Lisbon is that it serves up the cuisines of countries that used to be Portuguese colonies and still have cultural ties with the former motherland. Enjoy food from Cape Verde, Angola, Mozambique, and of course Brazil. Feel Rio has typical ‘Carioca’ snacks and fast food, such as chicken croquettes, empanadas with mince and egg (€2.30) and also serves the legendary sugarcane juice. It makes Brazilian-born local Claudio homesick — what more can one ask for?

Topo

Cc Martim Moniz, 6th floor

Rooftop bar Topo is best known for its hip cocktails and amazing views over the castle, Alfama and the Old Quarters. Chicken satay and gyoza are not typical Portuguese dishes of course, but when’s the last time you had good, inexpensive food with such views? Dishes here go for about €5 each. And if you like cocktails,  don’t forget to try the gin, black pepper, and basil cocktail.

Related: Affordable hotels in Alfama, Lisbon’s castle district

Carvoaria Jacto

Rua Maria Andrade 6 B

Carvoaria Jacto is a carnivore’s paradise — just like Portugal as a whole. Get a red wine from Alentejo, pick your kind of meat, the cut (local Nuno recommends the perfect round steak) and the weight of the portion (300g or 500g), choose your favorite garnish (fries, rice and/or spinach mash, etc), perhaps add a salad from the salad bar, and you’re good to go. Just make sure you save some space for the chocolate mousse! The daily menu here costs around €7.50.

The post Lisbon Dining on a Budget: 5 spots that locals love appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The off-season is the best deal (think late January and all of February when the weather is too drizzly for folks chasing the sun on winter trips). On the other hand, fall and spring have the best combination of travel variables like decent weather, excellent prices, and minimum crowds. (This “shoulder season” is our favorite for traveling throughout Europe, as we discuss here.)

But what about the high season? Should you avoid it at all cost?  Not necessarily. It’ll cost you substantially more but Lisbon is still so much cheaper than destinations elsewhere in Europe. So it may be worth the investment, particularly for folks who want to combine their sightseeing with sun worshipping or major local events and festivals.

 More tips for Lisbon:
• Our favorite best budget hotels in Lisbon
• Fun and free things to do in Lisbon
• How to spend 2 days in Lisbon on a budget

The best time to visit Lisbon

So what do we recommend? Read on for reasons why and why not to visit Lisbon during each season, and then make a decision based on your personal priorities and budget.

Go when it’s cheapest: Lisbon in winter

We’re going to go out on a limb here and claim winter as our favorite time of year to visit Lisbon. Sure, the weather can be chilly and rainy occasionally, but a little wet and cold never stopped a determined Cheapo! Besides, as winters in Europe go, Lisbon’s is generally mild (with daytime temps in the 50s on average), and it’s a city that easily retains its charm, even under drizzle and cloud cover.

Travel plans around the Christmas holidays may cost you slightly more than the rest of the winter, but as Lisbon isn’t a popular holiday market destination, they’re still likely to be more affordable as compared to Munich or Budapest. But from mid-January through mid-March, accommodations, and flights are as cheap as they’ll be all year long, and there are virtually no crowds at monuments around town. Bring a lightweight coat and an umbrella and you’re golden.

Go when the flowers bloom: Lisbon in spring

This is the time of year when most other travelers will claim it’s best to visit Lisbon. And they’re not wrong about the city’s appeal. The combination of blooming flowers, sunnier skies, and warmer temps (think 60s and 70s) without the masses make Lisbon a lovely choice for a spring holiday. Of course, if you choose to plan your visit around Easter Week, be ready to brave crowds and higher prices, as travelers from around Europe tend to take time off around these dates.

That said, if you’re interested in the pomp and circumstance of Portugal’s traditional processions, it may be worth dealing with higher prices and adding a couple of days in Braga (3.5 hours from Lisbon) to your itinerary to get an eyeful of the faithful in traditional grab hefting around massive religious relics. Just be sure to book many months in advance.

Related: Explore Braga, Portugal’s third largest city

Go when it’s sunny: Lisbon in summer

Summers in Lisbon can be scorching (slather on a high SPF — the sun can be intense), but the long hours of dependable sunlight make for uninterrupted exploring. It’s also perfect weather for folks who want to head to nearby fishing villages like Cascais for swimming or surfing.

Related: Lisbon Day Trips: Exploring Sintra, Cascais, and Coimbra

For minimum crowds and lower room rates, try earlier in the summer, as August is a popular vacation month throughout Europe. And if you’re committed to summer in Lisbon, book far in advance to save a few euros. If celebrating in the streets with locals sounds like your type of vacation, visit around June 13th, when Lisbon hosts a massive citywide party for its patron saint, Saint Anthony.

Visit Lisbon in the fall with more clouds in the sky but fewer crowds in the streets. Photo: donchili

Go when it’s less crowded: Lisbon in fall

After winter, fall is our second favorite time of year to spend some time in Lisbon for less. Like spring, it’s a shoulder season, and the weather is slightly more unpredictable than in summer. But Cheapos will be happy because prices are low, the weather is still pretty reliably warm and sunny, and the crowds are smaller in comparison to the summer months.

Late in the season, there’s a slight uptick in visitors for Thanksgiving holidays, but even then, prices and occupancy are reasonable. Just be warned that on average, November is the rainiest month in the city. So pack water-resistant shoes and a hooded jacket — wet feet can make exploring on foot pretty unpleasant.

Lisbon hotel advice for any season

• Our top 20 hotels in Lisbon
• Lisbon hotels under $100 per night
• Lisbon budget accommodations: 5 cheapo picks

Have you been to Lisbon? When’s your favorite time to visit the Portuguese capital? Share in the comment section below.

The post When is the best time to visit Lisbon? appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

And as the city attracts more and more visitors, getting the best possible price for a place to lay your head can get tricky in Lisbon. So how can you ensure maximum savings on your hotel in Lisbon?

We came up with eight tips that will make it easier for you to get a great deal.

More tips for Portugal

• 10 ways to save on a trip to Portugal
• Lisbon Cheap Eats: How to save on eating out
• The Best free things to do in Lisbon

8 Tips to save on your Lisbon Hotel

Are you ready to get started planning your trip to Lisbon? Check out up-to-the-minute rates for Lisbon hotels and read on for our best tips on how to book comfortable accommodation at a great price.

1. Keep it basic

Much like in Spain, Portugal has a wealth of basic but very clean and cheap accommodations to be had and Lisbon is no exception. Don’t discount 1-star hotels, guesthouses, pensions, and hostels! A few of our favorites include Residencial Dom Sancho I, Pensao Praca de Figueira, and Pensao Residencial Geres.

2. It’s all about location

Lisbon sprawls far beyond its center. But that’s not surprising given the history — it’s the oldest city in Western Europe. Yes, it has been around even longer than London or Paris. Since it’s so big, you really need to consider what you want to see before you book a room. A good rule of thumb for folks who want to see the major sites in the historic center is to stay in the Baixa or Chiado neighborhoods. A little bit further afield, closer to Lisbon’s castle, Alfama is also an excellent option for folks that want to be able to walk to attractions. Bairro Alto is where to be if you want to be close to the nightlife — just remember to bring your earplugs.

3. Stay close to public transportation

When you can’t stay somewhere close to the historic center (because rates or high or there’s nothing available) book a hotel near public transportation. Lisbon has an excellent metro system, and getting around is a breeze once you realize you’re not limited to the antique trolleys.

4. Don’t pay for parking

If you plan to rent a car and drive around Portugal, pick it up after you’re finished with the Lisbon portion of your itinerary, or drop it off after your road trip. You don’t want to deal with trying to park your car in the city center unless you can find a hotel with free parking. Browse rental car rates in Portugal.

Related: How to save on your rental car in Portugal

Skip the hotel breakfast, unless it’s free like it is at Pensao Praca de Figueira.

5. Skip hotel add-ons like breakfasts

Unless the hotel breakfast is included, don’t pay extra for it. Instead, roll out of bed and grab a café (an espresso) and a pasteis de nata (traditional puff pastries with a creamy filling) for a couple of euros. Read up on more tips for saving on eating out in Lisbon.

6. Come off-season

Prices in Lisbon are highest during the summer peak season from June to September. If you can, plan your trip for early spring and late fall when room rates are generally much more competitive. The weather is still beautiful and you’ll have fewer crowds to deal with! For example, Hotel Avenida Park has decent rates in the summer (around $125), but in October, they drop even lower to less than $90.

7. Keep major events in mind

During Lisbon’s annual festival, or “Festas” in June, national holidays, and major professional conferences, room rates rise with demand. Unless you plan on attending, organize your Lisbon trip with a few days margin on either side of big events. Check the Visit Lisboa tourism website for news on the latest events.

8. Book ahead

For the best room rates in Lisbon, book ahead. At least a month in advance is best, but the further ahead you can manage, the more likely you are to score a deal. Lock in a deal so you don’t have to worry about where you’ll stay during the days leading up to your trip. You can focus on what you want to see, where you want to eat, and all of the fun stuff!

Book a cheap room in Lisbon

Now it’s time to go to Lisbon! Browse through our Lisbon hotel picks to find an affordable room in a central location.

The post How to save on Lisbon hotel rooms appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

However, to make your budget stretch even further, check out these tips on Lisbon’s finest free attractions.

Wander around the Alfama

The Alfama is the oldest part of the city — it was one of the few areas to survive the city’s huge earthquake in 1755. It contains sights such as the cathedral that do charge an entry fee, but there is a huge amount of pleasure to be had purely wandering around the neighborhood’s charming streets. Still largely a residential area, it’s got something of a village feel, with washing hanging out and residents stopping to chat to each other. Do pack comfy shoes to make the most of it, as the roads are steep and narrow.

Related: The best value hotels in Lisbon with doubles from $50/night

If you can afford to spare a euro, you could take part in the tradition of trying to land a coin in the book held by the statue of Saint Anthony outside the Igreja Santo Antonio. It could be a worthwhile investment — if you succeed, it’s said you’ll find a new or improved romantic partner!

Free walking tours in Lisbon

If you prefer to do your exploring in the company of a knowledgeable guide, book on one of Lisbon’s free walking tours. Discover Lisbon offer free tours of Alfama and Belém, or for a citywide introduction, join Lisbon Chill-Out — each tour guided by Lisbon natives.

Viewing the collection at Museu Calouste Gulbenkian in Lisbon. Photo: Pedro R

Take advantage of free entry to museums and galleries

Lisbon’s most popular attractions are ticketed, but there are a couple that offer free entry, such as MUDE (Museum of Design and Fashion). Many of the others have free hours, such as the Museu do Oriente (Museum of the Orient), which is free to enter on Friday from 6 pm to 10 pm. Sunday, however, is the day you should really channel your inner culture vulture — Belém’s 16th century Mosteiros dos Jerónimos and Torre de Belém are both free until 2 pm, as is the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga (National Museum of Ancient Art). The Museu Calouste Gulbenkian the impressively opulent collection of art and decorative arts amassed by a hugely wealthy oil magnate, meanwhile, is free all day.

Visit the markets

Perhaps the most famous of Lisbon’s markets is the historic Mercado da Ribeira, a daily affair selling fresh fish, flowers, fruit and vegetables and a place where you can explore and discover traditional Portuguese produce. Half of the market space is now given over to the Time Out market, lined with stalls by different chefs, food shops, and restaurants. It’s free and fun to explore, and while you’ll probably end up buying something, it’ll set you back considerably less than eating in a restaurant.

Flea market lovers should make a beeline for the Feira da Ladra, which takes place in the Campo do Santa Clara in the Alfama each Tuesday and Saturday. It’s far more reputable than its name suggests (it translates roughly as “thieves market”), selling homemade goods and souvenirs alongside secondhand and collectables.

For more artisan and vintage wares, visit the Sunday market in the fashionable LX Factory. A complex of former industrial units, it’s now home to artists and creatives alongside small shops and cafes making it the perfect spot for a weekend mooch. Well worth a look is the impressive bookstore Ler Devagar — although bibliophiles will find it hard to leave without a purchase.

Pick up a few pastry tips

You can’t leave Lisbon without sampling some — or several — of the famous pasteis de nata (custard tarts). You’ll find them in cafes and bakeries all over the city, available to eat in or take away. The guidebooks will probably point you in the direction of those available at Belém, but we recommend picking yours up at Manteigaria in the Baixa / Chiado area of the city. The free bonus is that you can watch the staff at work making this local delicacy through the day until midnight, hopefully picking up a few tips in the process. Wait for the bell to ring to know a fresh batch is coming out of the oven.

Hike up one of the hills for a spectacular view over Lisbon. Photo: Alessandro G.

See the city from another view

Make the most of those comfy shoes we told you to wear earlier and seek out some of Lisbon’s “miradouros”, or viewpoints. Being a city based around seven hills makes for plenty of picturesque spots to stop and admire the view. These viewpoints are an inbuilt part of city life, and you’ll find locals as well as tourists resting together. This list pulls together 30 of the best stops, although part of the fun is stumbling across them yourself.

The post Lisbon: The best free attractions and things to do appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.