A financial travel guide to Portugal
Read creator @davey_gravy 's budget breakdown on his recent trip to Portugal.
By ATB Financial 28 January 2025 3 min read
Welcome back to The Passport! In this series, we explore how different people manage the costs of travel — in ways that fit their budgets, lifestyles, and vacation goals. In each dispatch, we’ll break down trip costs, but also share tips for picking the right destination, managing surprise excursion expenses, and finding the right moments to splurge a little.
In today’s Passport, a Calgary content creator heads to Lagos, Portugal on a little over $1,000. Read more to find out how he stayed on budget by using the public transportation, staying near the beach, and finding local spots for food and coffee.
The trip
Where did you go: Lagos, Portugal
Where did you fly from: Rome, Italy
Length of flight: 3 Hours
Length of trip: 7 Days
Total trip cost: $1073.22
What were the approximate trip expenses?
Flight: $310
Stay: $503
Food: $213
Activity: Free, we mostly walked around and people watched
What were the highlights of your trip to Lagos?
Lagos, the perfect destination for a leisurely trip. It was exactly what I was looking for. I enjoy the freedom of having no strict itinerary, allowing me to unwind and enjoy the pool, explore the nearby beaches, and enjoy the food at the local restaurants.
How did you choose Lagos as a destination? Was budget a factor?
My wife and I had the chance to visit Lagos for 48 hours during a previous trip, and we felt like we had only barely scratched the surface of what it had to offer. We were in Italy for a wedding and had the freedom to choose any vacation destination, so we decided that this was as good a time as any to revisit Lagos and explore it more thoroughly. Budget wasn’t a major concern, but we were happy to visit a budget-friendly location.
What would people be surprised to know about the city?
Renting a car isn’t necessary. We were comfortable walking to any destination, with the longest walk being 25 minutes. If we needed to go further, public transport and ride-sharing were available options. There were many great food options, including various cuisines from around the world, not just Portuguese.
What sites should visitors of Lagos not miss?
The Ponta da Piedade, located at Lagos’ southernmost tip, is a renowned coastal rock formation featuring caves and grottos. It can explored on foot or by boat. It’s particularly beautiful to visit at sunrise when the crowds are smaller.
Ponta da Piedade, Lagos, Portugal. Photo by @davey_gravy.
What should someone visiting know before they go?
The online photos portray Southern Portugal as non-stop sunshine and warmth. While our October trip was pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 10 to 20 degrees Celsius, we were grateful to have brought light jackets and long sleeves. It’s worth noting that certain businesses require cash and Visa or Mastercard are the only accepted credit cards.
What was your most memorable meal in Lagos?
Many restaurants serve Chouriço à Bombeiro, a Portuguese dish of flame-grilled chorizo. We tried it and loved it. Our server brought a sausage in a clay dish to
our table and lit it on fire to cook it. All the meat we ate during our trip was delicious and affordable.
Any travel hacks to share?
If you need to use a ride-share service to get around, I suggest opting for Bolt over Uber. Bolt is more affordable and has a stronger presence in Portugal. If you’re traveling on a budget, I recommend looking for accommodation that includes breakfast.
Tell me more
Travelling with baby
Linda Hoang breaks down where to spend and save when it comes to family travel.
Read articleHow a content creator unplugged in Nicaragua
Read how Davey visited Nicaragua on a $1,500 budget.
Read article